BVNK Survey Shows One‑Third of Crypto Users Receive Payroll in Stablecoins
London‑based payments‑infrastructure provider BVNK, in partnership with YouGov, reveals that 39 % of cryptocurrency holders and prospective adopters across 15 countries are already being paid in stablecoins. The study highlights growing use‑cases for dollar‑ and euro‑pegged tokens in everyday transactions, cross‑border remittances and payroll.
Survey overview
- Sample size & timing: 4,658 adult respondents who either own crypto or plan to acquire it were surveyed online in September–October 2025.
- Geographic spread: Participants were drawn from a mix of high‑, middle‑ and lower‑income economies, with respondents located in North America, Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia‑Pacific.
- Key finding: 39 % said they receive part of their income in stablecoins, while 27 % use the tokens for routine purchases.
How much are users holding?
Stablecoin balances remain modest on average. Globally, participants reported holding roughly US$200 per wallet, but in high‑income regions the average rose to about US$1,000. The disparity points to higher disposable income and greater familiarity with digital‑asset services in wealthier markets.
Paying wages with stablecoins
- Respondents who are paid in stablecoins indicated that the tokens represent around 35 % of their yearly earnings.
- Those who use stablecoins for international transfers cited ≈40 % lower fees compared with conventional remittance providers, underscoring the cost advantage of on‑chain settlement.
Consumer appetite for banking‑grade solutions
- 77 % would open a stablecoin wallet with their primary bank or a fintech firm if the service were offered.
- 71 % expressed interest in a linked debit card that could spend stablecoins directly, signalling demand for seamless fiat‑stablecoin conversion at the point of sale.
Adoption patterns by region
- Ownership is strongest in middle‑ and lower‑income economies, where 60 % hold stablecoins, versus 45 % in high‑income markets.
- Africa leads with a 79 % ownership rate and reported the most significant growth in holdings over the past year.
- In emerging markets, 60 % of crypto holders have already made a purchase because a merchant accepted stablecoins, compared with the global average of just over half.
Preferred custodial channels
When asked where they keep their stablecoins:
| Platform | Share of respondents |
|---|---|
| Exchange platforms | 46 % |
| Payment apps with crypto features (e.g., PayPal, Venmo) | 40 % |
| Mobile crypto wallet apps | 39 % |
| Hardware wallets | 13 % |
The data suggest a clear tilt toward custodial services that blend trading, payments and user‑friendly interfaces, while self‑custody remains a niche choice.
Industry context
The survey coincides with a wave of regulatory and enterprise developments that are making stablecoins more palatable for payroll and B2B payments:
- U.S. GENIUS Act and Europe’s MiCA framework are establishing clearer rules for stablecoin issuance and use.
- Global payroll platform Deel announced a partnership with MoonPay to offer stablecoin salary payouts in the UK and EU, with plans to expand to the United States.
- Paystand’s acquisition of Bitwage broadens its B2B payments network to include cross‑border stablecoin settlements, leveraging a platform that has already processed over $20 bn in payments.
Stablecoins’ 1:1 peg to fiat currencies provides price stability that traditional cryptocurrencies lack, making them increasingly attractive for wage disbursement, remittances and everyday commerce.
Market size
According to analytics firm DefiLlama, the total stablecoin market capitalisation stands at ≈ $307.8 bn, up from $260.4 bn in mid‑2025, reflecting sustained inflows as both retail users and enterprises adopt the technology.
Key takeaways
- Rapid payroll integration: Over a third of surveyed crypto users already receive income in stablecoins, and a majority would welcome bank‑offered wallets and debit cards.
- Cost savings drive adoption: Users cite roughly 40 % lower fees for cross‑border transfers, reinforcing stablecoins’ value proposition for remittances.
- Regional variance: Emerging economies, particularly in Africa, exhibit the highest stablecoin ownership and growth rates, suggesting a leapfrogging effect.
- Custody preferences lean toward custodial platforms: Exchanges and payment‑app providers dominate, while hardware wallets remain a marginal option.
- Regulatory clarity fuels enterprise use: Recent U.S. and EU regulatory moves are catalysing corporate payroll and B2B payment pilots, signaling a shift toward mainstream adoption.
The BVNK‑YouGov findings illustrate that stablecoins are moving beyond speculative assets into functional financial tools, reshaping how income is paid, spent and transferred across borders. As regulatory frameworks solidify and banking‑grade products expand, the stablecoin ecosystem is poised for continued growth and deeper integration into the global payments landscape.
Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bvnk-survey-finds-growing-use-of-stablecoins-for-income-and-everyday-payments?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound
