Investments in cards linked to crypto assets exceeded $10 billion for the first time. Data shows that growth in this area is accelerating, especially with the spread of dollar-indexed stablecoins. While the increase since the beginning of the year has been 82%, the increase has reached 250% on an annual basis.
Stablecoins are at the center of growth
Much of the market expansion has been driven by the increased use of stablecoins pegged to the US dollar. These assets are more preferred in both domestic and cross-border payments as they offer faster, lower-cost and more practical transactions compared to traditional payment systems.
According to AlphaWire data, the $10 billion threshold was exceeded during the period when the Open USD stablecoin initiative, supported by Visa, Mastercard and more than 140 companies, was launched. The initiative aims to strengthen the payment infrastructure, increase compatibility between different systems and expand the usage area of stablecoins.
Mini dictionary: Open USD is a stablecoin initiative supported by payment companies and institutions from different sectors, aiming to popularize the use of dollar-pegged digital assets. Interoperability refers to the ability of different payment and blockchain systems to work in harmony with each other.
Companies offering on-chain payment services have also seen a significant increase in user activity. Jupiter Mobile announced that the number of crypto card users increased by 65% on a monthly basis and its service network expanded to more than 60 countries. It was noted that localized payment solutions and the use of QR codes make the payment process more accessible.
Crypto card spending increased from $100 million per month in 2023 to over $1.5 billion per month by the end of 2025. The compound annual growth rate has reached 106% and this area is no longer considered a niche product category.
Growth came from steady increases, not sudden jumps
The $10 billion level was not seen as a one-time sharp rise, but as a result of regular growth over several months. Crypto card investments approached $9.9 billion in mid-June 2026. On-chain card transactions increased from $607 million in March to $833 million in May. The annualized expenditure amount approached 18 billion dollars.
| Indicator | Level |
|---|---|
| Increase since the beginning of the year | 82% |
| annual increase | 250% |
| March 2026 on-chain card transactions | $607 million |
| May 2026 on-chain card transactions | $833 million |
| Annualized spending | close to $18 billion |
Crypto analyst Donnie shared that crypto card spending, which was approximately $100 million per month in 2023, increased to over $1.5 billion by the end of 2025. This table indicates that the compound annual growth rate in the sector has reached 106%.
Wider transformation in digital payment usage is under way
Industry analysts evaluate that recent data shows that stablecoins are starting to become a direct means of payment rather than just a means of trading. Unlike crypto assets whose prices fluctuate wildly, stablecoins offer a more balanced value, so users are less affected by sudden price changes when spending. Businesses can also continue to accept payments through the existing Visa and Mastercard infrastructure.
Analysts emphasize that these data indicate that stablecoin use is expanding among financial institutions, businesses, regulators and payment service providers.
It is considered that if transaction volume and payment infrastructure continue to grow, digital asset payments may take on a more visible role in global trade. The recent chart reveals that crypto cards and stablecoin-based payment solutions are starting to reach a wider user base.
