Crypto Card Payments Surge to Record $12.5 Billion as Stablecoin Use Grows

crypto card payments — Payment volume processed on crypto-linked cards has surged to a record $12.5 billion, driven by growing stablecoin adoption and demand for cross-border transactions.

Data from paymentscan.xyz, cited by The Kobeissi Letter, shows the figure is up 140% year-to-date and represents a 247% increase compared to October 2025. The report attributes the growth to the use of stablecoins as a payment rail and a broader push for cheaper, faster international transactions.

Major players are expanding in the sector. Fold Holdings has begun issuing its Bitcoin Credit Card, which offers rewards in bitcoin and runs on the Visa network. Separately, Aven unveiled a Bitcoin Visa Card at the Bitcoin Conference 2026 that allows users to borrow against their bitcoin holdings without selling them.

Demand for QR-code payments is also rising, with one major on-chain card provider, Jupiter Spend, reporting a 55% quarter-over-quarter increase in activated cards.