The report highlights that crypto cardholders exhibit spending behavior similar to traditional bank card users but adopt online payments at a significantly faster rate. While the European Central Bank reports that only 21% of card payments in the eurozone are made online, CEX.IO users already conduct 40% of their transactions digitally.

Everyday Use of Crypto Cards on the Rise

CEX.IO data reveals that 59% of crypto card spending goes to groceries, and 19% is spent on restaurants and bars — both figures surpassing ECB benchmarks. The average transaction value for crypto cards stands at €23.7, compared to €33.6 for bank cards, indicating crypto cards are preferred for small, day-to-day purchases.

Alexandr Kerya, Vice President of Product Management at CEX.IO, commented: “Crypto users in Europe are not just experimenting with new tech — they’re showing us what a cashless future could actually look like.”

Stablecoins account for 73% of crypto card transactions, with the rest split between major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Solana — used across groceries, dining, and transport.

Similar Trends on Other Platforms

Other companies, including Oobit and Crypto.com, have also reported strong demand in Europe for crypto cards used for everyday essentials and online shopping.

Barclays Bans Credit Card Crypto Purchases

Despite growing adoption, Barclays recently announced a ban on crypto purchases via its Barclaycard credit cards, citing concerns over volatility and lack of consumer protections.

The bank emphasized that crypto transactions offer no recourse through the Financial Ombudsman Service or Compensation Schemes, leaving customers exposed to potential risks.

You can also freely share your thoughts and comments about the topic in the comment section. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on our Telegram, YouTube, and Twitter channels for the latest news and updates.

The post Crypto Cards Outpace Banks in Micro-Spending Across Europe appeared first on Coin Engineer.

Kima Joins Mastercard’s Sandbox Program

Kima, a decentralized settlement protocol, has integrated into Mastercard’s sandbox initiative. This integration allows prepaid cards to be topped up with USDC and Tether’s USDt stablecoins directly from self-custody wallets. The solution supports over 10 different blockchain networks.

Kima CEO Eitan Katz emphasized the practicality of stablecoins for everyday use, noting the system removes intermediaries and simplifies crypto-to-fiat conversion. “Our goal at Kima is to eliminate barriers between digital assets and traditional finance,” Katz stated.

Interoperable and Asset-Agnostic Infrastructure

Katz described Kima’s infrastructure as asset-agnostic and built for interoperability. The protocol supports public blockchains, private ledgers, and traditional banking systems — simplifying cross-ecosystem value transfer.

You Might Be Interested In: Elon Musk Talks About the Name of a New Memecoin!

This initiative aligns with Mastercard’s broader mission to mainstream stablecoins. Katz added that crypto and fiat shouldn’t be seen as opposites, but rather as complementary tools in the modern financial ecosystem.

Supporting ECB’s Digital Euro Initiative

Earlier this month, the European Central Bank (ECB) selected Kima as one of 70 private-sector firms to collaborate on the digital euro initiative. ECB board member Piero Cipollone praised the range of proposals, calling them a “catalyst for financial innovation” in Europe.

Despite its institutional integrations, Kima ensures that users maintain full control over their private keys. Compliance checks, including AML and KYC, are managed externally, and every transaction is cryptographically validated at the protocol level.

You can also freely share your thoughts and comments about the topic in the comment section. Additionally, don’t forget to follow us on our Telegram, YouTube, and Twitter channels for the latest news and updates.

The post Kima Partners With Mastercard To Enable Stablecoin Card Top-Ups appeared first on Coin Engineer.