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Crypto Card Payment Volume Reaches Record $7.8 Billion

Crypto Card Payment Volume Reaches Record $7.8 Billion

According to the latest report, crypto-linked card payment volume rose about 230% year over year to $7.8 billion, with Visa handling roughly 90% of transactions as stablecoin card use expands internationally.

Fact Check
The Kobeissi Letter post is the originating source. Independent corroboration from Bitcoin Foundation (citing Paymentscan data) shows cumulative crypto card volume at $6.5B in March 2026 with monthly volume up 6x from Sept 2024, making the May 2026 figure of $7.8B and 230% growth since May 2025 directionally consistent and quantitatively plausible. The exact 230% figure could not be independently re-verified, but the broader trend is well-supported by primary on-chain data via Paymentscan.
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Summary

Crypto-linked debit and credit card monthly payment volume rose about 230% year over year to $7.8 billion, according to the latest report, with Visa accounting for about 90% of transactions. The growth reflects increasing use of stablecoin-linked cards, showing that although stablecoins were expected to reduce reliance on traditional card networks, established payment infrastructure still plays a central role in consumer crypto spending. In March, Visa and Stripe-owned Bridge said they planned stablecoin-linked cards in more than 100 countries, underscoring continued international expansion of crypto payment infrastructure.

Terms & Concepts
  • Stablecoin-linked cards: Payment cards connected to balances in stablecoins, allowing users to spend digital tokens pegged to fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar.
  • Stablecoins: Cryptocurrencies designed to keep a stable value, often by being linked to a fiat currency such as the U.S. dollar.
  • Crypto card payments: Payments made through cards linked to digital asset balances, typically converting crypto into fiat currency at the point of sale.