Consumer protections could more than double stablecoin adoption among Canadians: Visa study

TORONTO – September 24, 2026 – Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today released Money Travels 2026, a global report on how technology is reshaping remittances. The research, which surveyed more than 2,000 Canadian consumers, shows Canadians want faster, cheaper ways to support family and friends abroad but not at the cost of security.

Stablecoin interest rises when safeguards are in place

Stablecoins, digital currencies pegged to stable values like the US dollar, are accounting for a growing share of cross-border money flows.

Despite industry buzz, the research shows that stablecoins remain unfamiliar to most Canadians - 62% surveyed have never heard of them. Yet the findings suggest trust and consumer protections could significantly increase adoption.

In a hypothetical scenario where stablecoins offered the same fraud protection and protections associated with a bank account, adoption intent among those surveyed rose from 18% to 42%.

Nearly six in ten Canadians (59%) say trust in new ways to move money also depends more on who offers it than on the technology itself. Global payment networks are the most trusted providers to handle digital currency (62%), ahead of governments and central banks (59%) and traditional financial institutions (58%).

"Our research shows remittances have become a regular part of financial life for Canadians, with 62% of remitters sending or receiving money internationally a few times a year or more to support family, respond to emergencies or stay connected across borders," said Sam Fuda, Vice President, Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, Visa Canada. "Canadians have embraced digital remittances for their convenience and speed, but trust remains paramount. As interest in new payment technologies grows, consumers are looking for trusted providers that can combine innovation with strong protections and peace of mind."

Fraud and AI-generated scams are shaping attitudes about cross-border payments

About one in five Canadian remitters (21%) have encountered a scam related to international money transfers. Top tactics include fake messages, account impersonation, and fake investment schemes. About one in five Canadians surveyed (22%) received AI-generated messages that seemed real, and 40% are concerned about AI and deepfake scams in financial transfers. Nearly half (49%) would accept a 24-hour delay in exchange for stronger AI-powered fraud protection.

Read the full Money Travels 2026 report.

Note on Methodology

Findings are based on self-reported consumer survey responses. Respondents received definitions of key terms, including stablecoins, before answering. Survey scenarios involving protections equivalent to those associated with bank accounts were hypothetical. This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice.

About the Study

Money Travels 2026 was conducted online by Morning Consult on behalf of Visa from February 24 to March 2, 2026. The Canadian sample included 2,004 consumers. The Canadian data were weighted by gender, educational attainment, region and age, and the full-market results have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points.