Stablecoins quietly became normal money.
By Maxime Laurent · 2026-02-18 15:23
Stablecoins quietly became normal money.
From trading tool to salary rail — stablecoins are going mainstream.
This might be one of the most important shifts in crypto right now — and almost nobody is screaming about it.
A joint study by BVNK, Coinbase and Artemis surveyed 4,658 adults across 15 countries.
The results? Stablecoins are no longer just trading ammo.
They’re daily money.
Let’s look at the signals:
– Over 50% held stablecoins in the last 12 months
– 56% plan to increase holdings this year
– 27% use them directly for purchases
– 45% convert them to local currency
– 52% bought from a merchant specifically because they accepted stablecoins
And here’s the part that really hits:
For freelancers, gig workers, and marketplace sellers, stablecoins represent 35% of annual income on average.
That’s not speculation.
That’s livelihood.
Nearly 75% said stablecoins improved their ability to work with international clients. Lower fees were a major driver — respondents reported around 40% savings compared to traditional payment systems.
Think about that.
Cross-border payments, no banking friction, near-instant settlement, lower fees. For someone in Argentina, Nigeria, Turkey, or even parts of Europe — that’s not convenience. That’s financial leverage.
This is why I’ve always said: while $BTC is digital gold, stablecoins are the bloodstream.
They’re boring.
They’re centralized (often).
They’re not “cypherpunk sexy.”
But they solve real problems.
Of course, friction still exists:
– Too many steps
– Confusion about which chain to use
– Wallet UX complexity
– Risk of mistakes
And users are clear: they want stablecoin payments to feel like normal banking apps.
Invisible complexity.
Familiar interface.
From my terrace in the south of France, watching how crypto narratives evolve, I’m convinced of one thing:
The next billion users won’t enter through $BTC speculation.
They’ll enter through stablecoin salaries.
C’est la vraie adoption silencieuse. 🌊🔥
#Crypto #Stablecoins #Payments #Web3 #Adoption #Fintech
From trading tool to salary rail — stablecoins are going mainstream.
This might be one of the most important shifts in crypto right now — and almost nobody is screaming about it.
A joint study by BVNK, Coinbase and Artemis surveyed 4,658 adults across 15 countries.
The results? Stablecoins are no longer just trading ammo.
They’re daily money.
Let’s look at the signals:
– Over 50% held stablecoins in the last 12 months
– 56% plan to increase holdings this year
– 27% use them directly for purchases
– 45% convert them to local currency
– 52% bought from a merchant specifically because they accepted stablecoins
And here’s the part that really hits:
For freelancers, gig workers, and marketplace sellers, stablecoins represent 35% of annual income on average.
That’s not speculation.
That’s livelihood.
Nearly 75% said stablecoins improved their ability to work with international clients. Lower fees were a major driver — respondents reported around 40% savings compared to traditional payment systems.
Think about that.
Cross-border payments, no banking friction, near-instant settlement, lower fees. For someone in Argentina, Nigeria, Turkey, or even parts of Europe — that’s not convenience. That’s financial leverage.
This is why I’ve always said: while $BTC is digital gold, stablecoins are the bloodstream.
They’re boring.
They’re centralized (often).
They’re not “cypherpunk sexy.”
But they solve real problems.
Of course, friction still exists:
– Too many steps
– Confusion about which chain to use
– Wallet UX complexity
– Risk of mistakes
And users are clear: they want stablecoin payments to feel like normal banking apps.
Invisible complexity.
Familiar interface.
From my terrace in the south of France, watching how crypto narratives evolve, I’m convinced of one thing:
The next billion users won’t enter through $BTC speculation.
They’ll enter through stablecoin salaries.
C’est la vraie adoption silencieuse. 🌊🔥
#Crypto #Stablecoins #Payments #Web3 #Adoption #Fintech
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice.