Visa Survey: 46% of APAC Consumers Expect to Use Stablecoins Within Five Years, but Only 6% Understand Them
A Visa survey of 14,250 consumers aged 18 to 65 across 14 Asia-Pacific markets, fielded in June and July 2026 and reported on October 5, found that 46% expect to use stablecoins within five years, against 16% who had used them in the past year. Primary use cases cited were online shopping, travel and cross-border transfers. Awareness was highest in Hong Kong (84%), India (80%) and Thailand (77%), while intent to use was strongest in Vietnam and India (both 67%).
Awareness is not understanding. While 66% had heard of stablecoins, only 6% accurately grasped how they work; 41% wrongly believed their value always rises and 49% thought they could only be traded for other cryptocurrencies. Among aware non-users, 38% feared fraud or scams and 36% cited insufficient understanding. Government or central-bank issuers (27%) and regulated financial institutions (26%) were the most trusted.
Singapore's Digital Economy Reaches S$144.1 Billion, 19.3% of GDP, as SME AI Adoption Climbs to 23.4%
Singapore's digital economy reached S$144.1 billion (about US$113 billion) in the latest IMDA data reported on October 5, equal to 19.3% of GDP, up from 18.8% in 2024. Non-tech sectors contributed S$97 billion, or 67% of the total, up 3.6%, while the infocomm and media sector contributed S$47.1 billion, up 6.1%. Tech employment rose 3.8% to 222,200 jobs, with a median monthly tech wage of S$8,000.
AI adoption rose across the board: 23.4% of SMEs (from 14.5%), 70.4% of large local firms (from 62.5%) and 86% of workers (from 78%). The gap is in training: 68% of workers recognise the need for AI skills but 37% completed AI training in the past year. IMDA plans to upskill 40,000 tech professionals and 100,000 non-tech workers by 2029.
MBSB Keeps Malaysia's Tech Sector at Neutral as an Engineer Shortage Caps the AI Upside
MBSB Research maintained a neutral recommendation on Malaysia's technology sector on October 5, despite semiconductor demand driven by AI and data-centre expansion. Its central constraint is talent: Malaysia needs roughly 50,000 skilled engineers but produces about 5,000 engineering graduates a year. The National Semiconductor Strategy targets training 60,000 engineers by 2030.
MBSB warned that "local semiconductor companies may not be able to fulfil all the orders given by the customers." It also cited rising competition from neighbouring economies, particularly Vietnam, possible AI regulation following safety concerns raised by industry leaders, and the memory chip shortage affecting smartphone makers. It said Malaysia's position depends on moving beyond assembly into IC design and advanced packaging.
Eyes on the Day Ahead
No dated regulatory event was confirmed for the next 24 to 48 hours, so this looks 3 to 5 days out and beyond: MAS's consultation on proposed Payment Services Act amendments for stablecoin regulation closes on October 16, and Finance ReImagined Malaysia is listed for October 15.
Layer 7 Ventures is a research-driven firm focused on AI and cryptocurrency in Southeast Asia. Views expressed are those of the firm and do not constitute investment advice.
