Mobile wallets lead other remittance methods in reported instant access to funds among Filipino respondents, according to Visa report that also found lower trust in stablecoin transfers than in cash or digital remittances.
Visa, a digital payments processor, commissioned the Money Travels: 2026 Digital Remittances Adoption report, which covered more than 45,000 remittance senders and receivers across 20 markets, including the Philippines. The study examined transfer habits, access to funds, and interest in stablecoins.
“Visa continues to be at the forefront of shaping global money movement and enabling faster as well as more secure and seamless money transfers will help build trust in emerging digital remittance methods and technologies such as stablecoins,” said Jeffrey Navarro, country manager for Visa Philippines.
Navarro noted the Philippines is becoming one of the most dynamic remittance markets in the region.
Among Filipino respondents, 44% reported instant access to money through mobile wallets. This compared with 31% for digital transfers directly to bank accounts and 20% for debit or credit cards used through apps or websites.
Only 18% said in-person transfers through banks, money transfer agents, or stores provided instant access. Also, 27% reported difficulty making transactions outside normal banking hours, and 19% said they used physical money transfer agents or stores.
The study also examined stablecoin awareness and willingness to use them for the first time. Some 42% of Filipino respondents had some awareness of stablecoins, but trust in stablecoin transfers stood at 38%. That was below the 81% recorded for cash remittances and 79% for digital remittances.
Demand for information was higher: 79% wanted more education about stablecoins and how they work. Respondents identified the government (70%) and global payment networks such as Visa (68%) as trusted entities for handling digital currencies.
Remittances remain a regular activity for many respondents. About 72% sent or received money several times a year, while roughly 35% did so monthly. Some 45% received money from overseas during the previous 12 months.
Household needs were a leading reason for transfers. Respondents cited support for essentials (34%), family or cultural obligations (33%), and gifts for holidays or special occasions (30%). The first two reasons recorded the highest shares among the six Asia Pacific markets surveyed.