Crypto payment cards are booming, Etherfi leads the way

Crypto payment cards are experiencing rapid growth, with daily transaction numbers increasing 22 times compared to December 2024, reaching nearly 60,000 transactions by mid-January 2026. These cards operate by automatically converting crypto to fiat currency at the point of sale, allowing users to spend digital assets directly at traditional stores.

Processing volume currently reaches nearly $4 million USD per day. Among them, Etherfi is leading, contributing about half of the total transactions, although the market still faces competition from other providers such as Gnosis, Metamask, and Solayer.

Card issuers are still experimenting with business models, offering different fee structures and incentives. Many products boost appeal by sharing yields from DeFi protocols, enabling users to spend while earning profits on their balances. The dominance of Visa and Mastercard infrastructure also indicates that traditional payment networks play a crucial role in connecting DeFi with everyday commerce.