Payment giant Visa has released a comprehensive new report indicating that the integration of bank-level protections could dramatically increase American interest in utilizing stablecoins for international money transfers. As consumers increasingly seek faster and more cost-effective methods to support family and friends living abroad, security and institutional reliability remain critical factors in their financial decision-making processes.
According to a survey of more than 2,000 U.S. consumers commissioned by the company, the general public is actively looking for improved cross-border payment channels. However, security concerns and a lack of familiarity with digital assets continue to hinder widespread adoption. The findings reveal a distinct appetite for modern financial technology, provided it is accompanied by the robust safeguards traditionally associated with legacy banking institutions.
The study highlights a significant shift in consumer sentiment when hypothetical safety measures are introduced. Visa reports that adoption intent climbs sharply from 36% to 56% when stablecoins—which are digital crypto assets typically pegged to the value of the U.S. dollar—are equipped with built-in fraud protection and deposit insurance mechanisms similar to those offered by traditional commercial banks.
Trust emerges as a central theme throughout the research. Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents indicate that their willingness to trust a financial service depends more heavily on the reputation of the provider offering it than on the underlying technology itself. Consequently, consumer willingness to use stablecoins increases from 36% to 45% when the assets are made available through an established financial institution rather than a native crypto platform.
When asked about their preferences for digital currency services, traditional banks and global payment networks command the highest levels of trust among American consumers, scoring 61% and 60% respectively. This underscores the enduring confidence that the public places in legacy financial institutions, even as digital assets continue to evolve and capture mainstream attention.
Despite the clear potential for increased U.S. stablecoin adoption under the right conditions, the report also sheds light on a substantial knowledge gap regarding the asset class. More than half of surveyed Americans have never heard of dollar-pegged crypto assets. Many consumers labor under the misconception that stablecoin prices fluctuate wildly in a manner similar to volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. This widespread misunderstanding creates a formidable barrier to entry, as potential users often fear unexpected financial losses due to price swings that do not actually occur with properly managed stablecoins.
Beyond educational hurdles, security concerns extend far beyond the technology itself and into the broader landscape of international finance. The study reveals that 36% of respondents have personally encountered scams related to cross-border payments, highlighting the treacherous nature of sending funds globally through unverified or insecure channels.
Furthermore, modern technological threats are compounding these anxieties. The report notes that 44% of surveyed consumers worry about artificial intelligence deepfakes being used to impersonate family members in fraudulent schemes. Additionally, 24% of respondents report having already received AI-generated scam messages that appeared remarkably authentic, illustrating the sophisticated nature of the threats facing everyday senders.
The pressure to send money abroad often carries a heavy personal toll. The research points out that approximately one in five senders regularly cut back on their own personal spending and daily living expenses in order to secure the funds necessary to support family members living overseas. These remittances often serve as a vital financial lifeline for recipients, funding critical needs such as education, daily essentials, and local investments.
Vira Platonova, Global Head of Visa Direct, emphasized the profound importance of these transactions and the vital role that trust plays in shaping the future of the industry. Remittances are a lifeline funding education, essentials, and investment back home, Platonova noted, adding that Visa’s research clearly demonstrates what matters most to those who rely on that financial lifeline: trust. According to Platonova, the future of the industry will ultimately be won by the providers that work the hardest to earn and maintain that trust.
The report also includes an important contextual caveat regarding the current regulatory and insurance landscape. The survey explicitly notes that stablecoins are not currently covered by standard government-backed deposit insurance, such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, meaning that the attractive protection scenarios outlined in the study remain purely hypothetical under current market conditions.
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