Stablecoin Use Rises in Emerging Markets as Binance Users Rely on Digital Dollars for Payments and Savings

Binance Blog published a new article, revealing insights into a recent trend in stablecoin adoption across emerging markets and how users apply stablecoins in everyday financial life. The article says stablecoins, originally designed to reduce volatility in digital assets, have become practical tools for getting paid, preserving savings, and running businesses where traditional financial systems can be slow or inaccessible. It reports that 73% of global stablecoin savers are based in emerging markets, and that 36% of Binance users in those markets keep at least half of their portfolio in stablecoins. Binance data cited in the article also shows stablecoin holders on the platform increased from 4% of users in 2020 to 28% in 2026. Among users with at least $10 in assets, 28% hold half or more of their portfolio in stablecoins, rising to 36% in emerging markets. The post adds that stablecoins account for 96% of all payment transactions on Binance Pay, which serves 48 million users globally and has processed more than $280 billion in transaction volume since 2021.

The article illustrates these trends through three user accounts. In Kenya, Nairobi-based creator and media strategist James Mumo said he first learned about stablecoins after a European company asked to pay him that way, and he received the payment instantly after sharing his Binance account details. He later began paying his video editor every two weeks through Binance Pay, citing dollar-equivalent value and no fees when sending on the same platform. Mumo said stablecoins address delays and failures in international payments and can also function as a savings tool when local currency loses value. He added that stablecoins could lower remittance friction by enabling relatives abroad to send funds that arrive instantly in dollars and can be spent locally the same day. In Brazil, digital creator Igor Freitas said stablecoins became part of his daily routine after he entered crypto, emphasizing speed and flexibility, including using Binance Pay to buy two iPhones with “two clicks.” He said stablecoins can help users hold value in digital dollars and move between crypto and local currency, while challenging the idea that crypto necessarily implies volatility. In India, crypto educator Kashif Raza said he entered crypto in 2017 and later turned to stablecoins after finding transaction fees impractical for small payments, calling stablecoins a gateway to broader crypto use. He said stablecoins help him run his business, pay people, and support freelancers and digital workers, while also offering a way for people without banking access to preserve wealth against inflation.