Visa’s latest report, “Money Travels: 2026 Digital Remittances Adoption Report,” reveals significant growth in digital remittances across Asia Pacific, with a notable shift in consumer priorities towards security and trust. The study, which surveyed over 45,000 individuals across 20 markets, including Australia, Mainland China, India, Japan, the Philippines, and Singapore, highlights that 68% of Japanese and 57% of Singaporean and Australian consumers are willing to accept a 24-hour transfer delay for stronger fraud protection.
The report underscores the essential role of remittances in supporting families, with consumers in India and Mainland China often delaying bill payments to send money abroad. Mobile banking apps have become the preferred method for international transfers, with adoption rates ranging from 33% to 60% across the region. However, Japan remains an outlier, with 32% of consumers still favouring physical bank branches.
AI-enabled fraud is a growing concern, particularly in the Philippines and India, where 62% and 53% of consumers, respectively, express worries about deepfakes and financial scams. “Cross-border money movement is fundamental to how people, businesses, and economies connect across Asia Pacific,” said Chavi Jafa, Visa’s Senior Vice President, Head of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, Asia Pacific.
The study also explores consumer awareness of stablecoins, highlighting a need for education to bridge trust gaps. Rhidoi Krishnakumar, Vice President, Head of Visa Direct, Asia Pacific, emphasised the opportunity for financial institutions to deliver seamless cross-border experiences whilst managing complexity. As digital adoption accelerates, understanding these evolving trends will be crucial for banks, remitters, and fintechs in providing secure and reliable money movement solutions.
