Stablecoins are moving closer to mainstream digital cash, according to a report that tracks how people use them across savings, spending, and cross-border work. In low- and middle-income economies facing inflation and limited access to banking, households have allocated nearly one-third of their savings to digital assets, largely as protection against local currency depreciation.
The trend is especially visible in parts of Africa. The report also points to Standard Chartered’s projection that $1 trillion could shift from traditional bank deposits in emerging markets into stablecoins. More than half of surveyed users increased their stablecoin holdings over the past year, while a notable share of non-users said they plan to enter the market.
Stablecoins are reaching everyday checkout flows
Usage is no longer limited to storing value. The report says 27% of stablecoin holdings are spent directly on goods and services. In many cases, users convert the tokens into local currency soon after receiving or holding them, then use the funds for routine expenses. The pattern is practical, not theoretical.
Merchant acceptance is also shaping consumer behavior. More than half of respondents said a company’s willingness to accept stablecoins affects their purchasing decision. That points to a shift in perception: stablecoins are being treated less as niche crypto instruments and more as a functional payment option.
Freelancers and global workers are using stablecoins for income
For freelancers and digital nomads, the report presents a clear cost case. Stablecoins offer an estimated 40% cost advantage over traditional remittance channels. International workers now receive an average of 35% of their annual earnings in stablecoins, a sign that speed and lower fees continue to matter in cross-border payouts.
Online marketplace sellers reported broader customer reach and higher sales volumes after adopting stablecoin payments. In that setting, crypto is not described mainly as an investment asset. It is being used as a settlement layer for international commerce.
US rules are taking shape, but user friction remains
In the United States, the report ties the next phase of stablecoin adoption to regulation. It says the policy direction has been shaped in large part by the Trump administration, and that lawmakers are now working to build a broader federal standard after the GENIUS Act entered into force, with efforts intensifying ahead of the upcoming mid-term elections.
Technical barriers are still in the way. The report highlights blockchain voting complexity and wallet management as continuing friction points for users. If consumer protection and ease of use improve, the report says stablecoins could develop into programmable, borderless digital cash used at the center of global finance.