Stablecoin adoption surges, led by Africa

39% of crypto users receive income in stablecoins, 27% use them daily. Adoption is highest in emerging markets, especially Africa, signaling stablecoins’ mainstream financial role.

Recent global surveys of over 4,000 cryptocurrency users in 15 countries reveal a surge in stablecoin adoption, especially in middle- and low-income regions. About 39% of respondents now receive part of their income in stablecoins, averaging 35% of their annual earnings. Additionally, 27% use stablecoins for daily transactions, attracted by lower fees and faster international transfers—users save around 40% on fees compared to traditional methods. Stablecoin ownership is particularly high in Africa, reaching up to 79%. Households in emerging markets are allocating nearly a third of their savings to stablecoins to hedge against local currency depreciation. Businesses are also increasingly accepting stablecoin payments, and most users express interest in stablecoin-linked banking products and debit cards. This trend marks a shift from speculative use to stablecoins functioning as mainstream digital cash and a financial safety net in regions with limited banking access.