Investment tied to crypto cards has moved past $10 billion, with annual growth reaching 250%. The source attributes most of that expansion to the rising use of US dollar-pegged stablecoins, which are gaining ground in both everyday payments and cross-border transfers thanks to faster settlement, lower costs, and added convenience compared with traditional payment rails.
Open USD rollout coincided with the $10 billion milestone
According to AlphaWire, the market crossed the $10 billion mark during the rollout of the Open USD stablecoin initiative. The project is backed by Visa, Mastercard, and more than 140 companies, and is aimed at strengthening payment infrastructure, improving interoperability across different payment networks, and expanding real-world stablecoin use. The source defines interoperability as the ability of separate payment and blockchain systems to work together.
Companies focused on on-chain payment services are also reporting stronger activity. Jupiter Mobile said its crypto card user base rose 65% month over month, and that its service network now covers more than 60 countries. Localized payment options and QR code integrations have also made the payment experience easier to access.
Spending growth built over months, not through a single spike
The move above $10 billion did not come from a one-off jump. By mid-June 2026, crypto card investment had reached nearly $9.9 billion. On-chain card transaction volume climbed from $607 million in March 2026 to $833 million in May, putting annualized spending close to $18 billion. Year-to-date growth stood at 82%.
Analyst Donnie said monthly crypto card spending was around $100 million in 2023, then rose to more than $1.5 billion by late 2025. The source says the sector’s compounded annual growth rate reached 106%. That shift suggests crypto cards are no longer operating as a niche category.
Stablecoins are becoming payment tools, not just trading assets
Industry analysts cited in the source say the latest figures show stablecoins moving beyond their role as trading instruments and into mainstream payment use. Unlike more volatile crypto assets, stablecoins hold a steadier value, reducing the risk of sharp price swings during routine transactions. That matters for merchants. Payments can still be processed through familiar Visa and Mastercard infrastructure.
The same analysts said the data points to broader stablecoin adoption across financial institutions, businesses, regulators, and payment service providers. The source also notes that crypto cards and stablecoin-based payment products are reaching a wider user base as transaction volumes and payment infrastructure continue to expand.