Crypto cards are making significant inroads in Europe, particularly for micro-spending, reportedly surpassing traditional banks in transactions under 10 euros. This shift indicates a growing adoption of digital assets for everyday payments, with crypto card users demonstrating spending patterns that mirror, and in some aspects exceed, traditional banking card users, especially in online transactions.
Crypto Cards Lead in Micro-Payments
Crypto-linked card transactions under 10 euros now account for 45% of all crypto card payments in Europe, a segment historically dominated by cash. This trend highlights a notable shift in consumer behavior towards digital currencies for small, everyday purchases.
Surging Adoption and Online Preference
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A 15% increase in newly ordered CEX.IO crypto cards across Europe in 2025 signals growing interest.
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Crypto card users conduct 40% of their transactions online, nearly double the 21% average for all card payments across the euro area, according to European Central Bank data.
Everyday Spending Habits
Crypto cardholders are increasingly using their cards for daily necessities:
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Groceries: 59% of purchases, close to the ECB’s 54% benchmark.
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Dining and Bars: 19% of transactions, exceeding the average for in-person food and drink spending.
The average crypto card transaction is 23.7 euros, compared to 33.6 euros for bank cards, based on Q1 2025 Mastercard data.
Stablecoins Dominate Transactions
Stablecoins power 73% of crypto card transactions. Other major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Solana (SOL) are also utilized for various purchases, including groceries, dining, and transportation.
Industry-Wide Trend
This trend is not isolated to one provider. Oobit and Crypto.com have also reported strong spending on everyday essentials and high volumes in online shopping transactions among their European users, respectively.
Barclays' Stance on Crypto Transactions
Despite the surge in crypto card adoption, Barclays has announced plans to block crypto purchases on its Barclaycard credit cards. The bank cites concerns over potential unmanageable debt due to crypto market volatility and the lack of investor protections, noting that crypto asset purchases offer no recourse through the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Sources
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Crypto Cards Outpace Banks for Micro-Payments in Europe, Cointelegraph.
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