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A large-scale survey of crypto holders across 15 markets finds that stablecoins are becoming a meaningful income channel for the global independent workforce. Nearly two in five respondents now receive stablecoins as payment, with that income making up roughly a third of their annual earnings.
BVNK partnered with YouGov, Coinbase, and Artemis to survey 4,658 adults who hold, have held, or intend to acquire crypto between September and October 2025. The study, published on February 17, 2026, spans seven regions:
Approximately 39% of respondents receive stablecoins as wages or payment. That cohort reports stablecoins account for a mean of 35% of total annual income. Among respondents in low- and middle-income economies, the average is slightly higher at 36%.
LATEST: 📊 39% of crypto users across 15 countries now receive income in stablecoins, saving an average of 40% on fees for cross-border transfers, according to a BVNK survey. pic.twitter.com/fwn42lDbqD
— CoinMarketCap (@CoinMarketCap) February 17, 2026
The trend is sharpest among cross-border freelancers and online sellers. Among surveyed freelancers and gig workers, 73% said stablecoins and crypto improved their ability to work with international clients; 46% called the improvement significant. For online marketplace sellers, 76% reported improved sales volume or expanded customer base.
Fee reduction is a core driver. Stablecoin recipients save a mean of 40% on transaction fees relative to traditional remittance and transfer services. For context, the World Bank puts the global average cost of sending $200 internationally at 6.49%, with Sub-Saharan Africa corridors close to 9%.
BVNK’s Chris Harmse noted in the report that those receiving stablecoins receive about a third of their annual income this way.
Beyond income use, stablecoin ownership is also rising.
Of all respondents, 54% held stablecoins in the 12 months leading up to October 2025, 56% plan to acquire more in the following year, and 13% of non-owners intend to start. Africa records the highest current stablecoins ownership at 79%, alongside a 73% year-on-year increase in holdings. Globally, holders are prepared to allocate a mean 34% of total savings to crypto and stablecoins.
Of the 4,600+ people surveyed across 15 countries:
– 54% held stablecoins in the last 12 months
– 56% plan to acquire more in the next 12 months
– 13% of people who don't hold stablecoins intend to startAt every level of the market, the same decision is being made.… pic.twitter.com/zn6eieXcAF
— Eco (@eco) February 19, 2026
However, merchant acceptance remains the main bottleneck. Across every spending category surveyed, desired spending exceeds actual spending. The gap is widest for major purchases like car, house, flights, Airbnb etc.: 42% want to use stablecoins for such significant transactions, but only 28% currently do. Irreversible transactions and the risk of losing funds are the top concerns, cited by 30% of users.
Coinbase’s Alec Lovett (Head of Developer Product Group) and John Turner (Product Lead, Stablecoins) wrote in the report that the GENIUS Act, passed on July 18, 2025, mandates 1:1 reserve backing for payment stablecoins and has strengthened institutional trust while opening a clearer path for consumer adoption.
Meanwhile, Artemis and McKinsey data cited in the report estimates stablecoin payment volume is running at an annualized rate exceeding $390 billion across B2B, remittances, peer-to-peer transfers, and card-based transactions.
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