I recently came across some interesting data — the scale of crypto payment cards is no longer a small-scale operation.

According to the latest report from blockchain analysis firm Artemis, the performance of this wave of crypto cards by 2025 is quite remarkable. From a monthly transaction volume of around $100 million at the beginning of the year, it has now skyrocketed to over $1.5 billion, with the total annual transaction volume expected to reach $18 billion. Compared to the $19 billion scale of P2P stablecoin transfers, they are almost at the same level.

Why is this growth so rapid? Mainly because of integration with traditional payment networks. Visa plays the absolute leading role here, handling over 90% of crypto card transactions. Some of the crypto card products supported by Visa have seen a growth rate of 525% in 2025 — this number is a bit exaggerated, but it clearly indicates that some products have seized the opportunity.

While Mastercard's market share is not as large as Visa's, they are also making efforts. Their collaborations with platforms like Revolut, Bybit, and Gemini have allowed them to carve out a place in this market. This is good for merchants, as more payment options are available; and for the crypto card market, it provides a boost.

A detail worth noting — the proportion of crypto cards used for daily small transactions has reached 45%, meaning that buying groceries or dining out with crypto cards is already common. This indicates we are shifting from "speculative trading tools" to "everyday payment tools."

Regionally, the approaches differ. In emerging markets like India and Argentina, crypto cards are practical tools to counter local currency devaluation and serve as asset storage. In developed countries like the US and Europe, they mainly provide convenient spending channels for large holders of cryptocurrencies. Some national-level projects, such as the Central Bank of Kazakhstan planning an official crypto payment card, also demonstrate recognition of this direction.

Looking ahead, crypto payment cards may evolve from just "payment tools" to "entry points for crypto financial services." In other words, the combination of stablecoins and crypto cards is making it easier for ordinary people to access blockchain applications, transitioning from a phase of pure speculation to genuine everyday use. The significance of this shift may be more noteworthy than the numbers themselves.