Spending on crypto-linked cards has climbed to an all-time high of $12.5 billion this year, a 140% jump since January and 247% above the tally from October 2025, according to paymentscan.xyz. As The Kobeissi Letter put it, "Crypto cards are the next phase of crypto adoption."
Two big tailwinds are doing the work: more payments are being routed over stablecoin rails, and there is a broader shift toward cross-border transfers that are cheaper and speedier. QR-code checkouts are also catching on. As a result, activated cards at Jupiter Spend - among the biggest providers of on-chain cards - climbed 55% quarter over quarter.
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Fold Holdings (NASDAQ: FLD) said earlier this year it started sending out the Fold Bitcoin Credit Card to people on its waitlist first, and plans to broaden availability in stages over the next several weeks and months. The card utilizes Visa's network, relies on Stripe Issuing for issuance, and can be used at 175 million merchants. The base reward is 1.5% in bitcoin, which can increase to up to 4% through activity-driven boosts and partner deals. Paying the statement in bitcoin adds an additional 0.5% back.
Aven is taking a different tack. Its Aven Bitcoin Visa Card - first shown at the Bitcoin Conference 2026 in Las Vegas - allows customers to take loans as large as $1 million secured by their bitcoin without needing to sell it. Rates start at 7.99% APR with repayment terms up to 10 years. BitGo holds the collateral, and Coastal Community Bank issues the card.
Card rails are where digital assets meet everyday purchases. Get the free Market Briefs daily newsletter and follow the growth.
