Visa Study Says Bank-Style Protections Could Push Stablecoin Use Sharply Higher

Visa’s Money Travels 2026 study surveyed 2,192 U.S. adults and more than 45,000 respondents across 20 markets to gauge interest in stablecoins. The research highlights consumer trust and protection as key barriers to broader adoption.

Adoption Potential with Added Protections

When asked about a basic stablecoin offering, 36% of U.S. respondents said they would consider using it. That figure increased to 45% when the product was offered through an existing financial provider, and rose to 56% when respondents were told the stablecoin would include bank‑level fraud protection and deposit insurance.

Consumer Priorities Over Speed

Despite stablecoins being marketed for fast, low‑cost settlement, many users value safeguards more highly. In the U.S., 45% of participants said they would accept a 24‑hour transfer delay if it came with stronger fraud protection.

Concerns About Fraud and Scams

• 36% of Americans surveyed reported experiencing cross‑border payment scams.
• 44% expressed concern about AI‑enabled fraud such as deepfakes.

Hypothetical Nature of Protections

The study presented fraud protection and deposit insurance as hypothetical features. Stablecoins are not automatically covered by FDIC or similar insurance simply because they are dollar‑pegged. The findings therefore reflect how consumers say they would behave if such safeguards existed, not the current regulatory reality.

Implications for the Market

The data suggests that the next hurdle for stablecoin adoption may be less technical and more about delivering familiar consumer protections. Convincing ordinary users that their money is as safe as it is fast could be the decisive factor in moving stablecoins into the mainstream.