Visa commissioned the Money Travels: 2026 Digital Remittances Adoption report, tracking new consumer trends in money movement, underscoring the vital role digital remittances play in supporting Filipino households.
Covering more than 45,000 remittance senders and receivers, the report tracks consumer behavior across 20 markets including the Philippines, revealing growing interest in stablecoins as trust and speed shape evolving consumer expectations surrounding digital remittances.
Philippines emerges as the top receiver-led market
With 72% of Filipinos sending or receiving money multiple times a year and about 35% sending or receiving money once a month, the Philippines has one of the highest remittance activity footprints in the region. The Philippines has emerged as the top receiver-led market among key markets surveyed including Australia, Mainland China, Japan, India, and Singapore, with 45% of Filipino respondents reporting having received money from overseas in the last 12 months.
The report underscores the economic impact of remittances for Filipinos, who cite economic as well as cultural reasons as key drivers for sending or receiving remittances. Support for essentials (34%) and a family or cultural obligation to provide or receive financial support (33%) emerge as top reasons for cross-border transfers, the highest among the six Asia Pacific markets surveyed. A further 30% cite gifts for holiday or special occasions as a key remittance reason – the second highest after Australia.
Speed and trust shape remittance behaviors
Digital transfers are seen as the fastest remittance options. Mobile wallets are seen as the top transfer method for speed, with respondents saying fund access happen instantly (44%) when using this channel. Meanwhile, digital transfers direct to a bank account come second (31%) followed by debit or credit cards on apps or website (20%). Only 18% cite in-person transfers at a bank, money transfer agent, or store as enabling instant fund access. With 27% citing difficulty in transacting outside of normal banking hours, only 19% of Filipinos report making in-person transactions at physical money transfer agents or stores.
Interest in stablecoins growing – but trust needs to follow
For the first time, this year’s study also examined consumer awareness, perceptions and adoption intent towards stablecoins, finding that education and confidence will be key to broader adoption amid growing concerns around scams, fraud and AI-enabled threats.
While 42% of Filipino respondents have some awareness about stablecoins, trust in stablecoin transfers is lower at 38% compared to cash remittances (81%) as well as digital remittances (79%).
This trust gap presents opportunities for expanding consumer awareness on stablecoins and digital currencies, with 79% of Filipinos saying they want more education around stablecoins and how they work. The government (70%) as well as global payment networks like Visa (68%) also emerge as the most trusted entities when it comes to handling digital currencies.
“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. With the Philippines becoming one of the most dynamic remittance markets in the region, we will continue to work with regulators as well as our bank and fintech partners to make money movement solutions more responsive to the evolving needs of Filipino consumers across the globe,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines.
To learn more about the trends shaping cross-border money movement across Asia Pacific, explore the Money Travels 2026 findings here.
