Crypto Card Payments Hit Record $12.5 Billion as Stablecoin Settlement Demand Drives 247% Year-over-Year Growth

According to data from paymentscan.xyz, as disclosed by The Kobeissi Letter on October 6, 2026, total crypto card payment processing volume rose to $12.5 billion, setting a new all-time high. This represents a 140% increase year-to-date and a 247% jump compared to the same period in October 2025. The firm attributes the growth to the expanding use of stablecoins as a payment channel and rising market demand for lower-cost, faster cross-border settlement.

QR code payments are another growth driver. On-chain card issuer Jupiter Spend saw its number of activated cards increase by 55% month-over-month, with the company stating that demand is primarily coming from scan-to-pay consumption scenarios.

The issuance side is also expanding. Fold Holdings (NASDAQ: FLD) earlier this year began issuing the Fold Bitcoin Credit Card to select waitlist users. The card runs on the Visa network, is powered by Stripe Issuing, and covers approximately 175 million merchants. It offers base cashback of 1.5% in Bitcoin, which can reach up to 4% through behavioral incentives and partner perks. Aven, meanwhile, takes a lending approach. Its Aven Bitcoin Visa Card, unveiled at the 2026 Las Vegas Bitcoin Conference, allows cardholders to borrow up to $1 million using Bitcoin as collateral, with annual percentage rates starting at 7.99% and terms of up to 10 years. The collateral is custodied by BitGo, and the issuing bank is Coastal Community Bank.

Source: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/crypto-card-payments-hit-record-12-billion