For over a decade, cryptocurrencies promised to revolutionize finance. But for most users, crypto remained something to hold—not something to spend. That is starting to change.
Thanks to stablecoins and crypto-native payment tools, digital assets can now be used for everyday transactions. From paying for groceries with a wallet-connected card to scanning QR codes at point-of-sale terminals, crypto is becoming spendable in ways that mirror traditional money.
This article explores how stablecoins, wallet-connected cards, and payment gateways are creating a complete, usable crypto payment stack. It covers the rise of stablecoins like USDC, tools like Pera Card and AEON Pay, and the infrastructure behind real-time crypto settlement. It also examines what this shift means for developers, businesses, and consumers worldwide.
The ease of payments discussion between a cryptocurrency vs. a stablecoin.
— Mr. Man (@MrManXRP) February 20, 2024
David Schwartz sheds light on this.#XRP pic.twitter.com/6pD4pFx7YF
Crypto-Native Cards: Wallets You Can Swipe
The idea of spending crypto with a physical or virtual card is no longer limited to custodial platforms. A new generation of blockchain-native payment cards allows users to spend directly from their self-custody wallets. Unlike earlier solutions that required users to pre-fund centralized accounts, these cards use on-chain smart contracts to approve and settle transactions in real time. This gives users complete control of their assets while enabling seamless fiat payments at millions of merchants.
At the heart of this evolution is Immersve, a decentralized payment protocol that bridges smart contracts with Mastercard’s global payment infrastructure. By connecting wallet providers and blockchain networks to traditional finance rails, Immersve makes it possible to authorize payments on-chain and instantly settle them in fiat—all without requiring users to give up control of their funds.
Immersve: The Infrastructure Behind Wallet-Based Spending
Immersve acts as the transaction layer between Web3 wallets and the Mastercard payment network. When a user swipes a card or initiates a virtual payment, Immersve checks the balance in the user’s self-custody wallet, triggers a smart contract to approve the transaction, and settles the amount with the merchant in fiat. This process happens within seconds and ensures that funds never need to leave the user’s wallet in advance.
Importantly, Immersve does not hold or custody user assets at any point. This model preserves decentralization and enables Web3-native spending without relying on a third-party intermediary. Both the Pera Card and Bitget Wallet Card currently use Immersve to power secure, real-time crypto payments at Mastercard-accepting merchants worldwide.
Spend crypto at 150M+ merchants worldwide with the Bitget Wallet Mastercard 🌍
— Bitget Wallet 🩵 (@BitgetWallet) July 2, 2025
Apply in 3 mins. Start spending instantly on your everyday crypto card.
Learn more on how to apply: https://t.co/UxWjndj34B pic.twitter.com/8EzZlhmvpt
Pera Card: Non‑Custodial Spending for Algorand Users
The Pera Card represents one of the first non‑custodial payment cards tied directly to a mainstream blockchain wallet. Launched in partnership with Immersve, the Pera Card allows users to spend USDCa (Algorand-native USDC) directly from their Pera Wallet, without moving funds into a centralized exchange or third-party custodian.
Using Immersve’s infrastructure, each transaction is approved by the user through on-chain smart contract interactions. When a payment is initiated—whether online or at a physical store—Immersve verifies the available balance, triggers a smart contract authorization, and settles the transaction in fiat through Mastercard’s network. This process ensures users retain full control over their assets while gaining the convenience of everyday spending.
The Pera Card is currently available in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, and New Zealand. Users can add the virtual card to Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless purchases or request a physical card for broader access. Transactions benefit from Algorand’s sub-cent fees and near-instant finality, which makes the platform well-suited for micro and macro spending alike.
Pera Wallet’s familiar interface, paired with this seamless card functionality, reduces friction for users entering the Web3 economy. As more spending options emerge, solutions like the Pera Card offer a bridge between crypto-native value and traditional consumer behavior—without sacrificing ownership or transparency.
Bitget Wallet Card: Multichain Functionality and Built-In Rewards
The Bitget Wallet Card provides a multichain alternative for users looking to spend crypto directly from their wallets. It supports over 130 blockchain networks, including Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Polygon, allowing users to select which token to spend at checkout. The card integrates directly with the Bitget Wallet app and uses Immersve to authorize and settle transactions without requiring custodial transfers.
Bitget’s card offers a flexible and familiar user experience, with added Web3 benefits like crypto cashback rewards, real-time conversion rates, and token selection. It is currently available across Europe and expanding into other jurisdictions where demand for self-custodial financial tools continues to grow.
For users with diverse asset holdings across chains, Bitget Wallet Card provides a simple and reliable way to turn crypto into everyday spending power—without ever giving up control of their private keys.
Avalanche Card: Credit Access Built on Crypto Collateral
Unlike the Pera and Bitget cards, which function more like debit or preauthorization cards, the Avalanche Card introduces a credit-style experience backed by crypto collateral. Developed by Rain in partnership with the Avalanche ecosystem, this card allows users to lock AVAX or stablecoins as collateral and spend against it in fiat.
This model targets markets where traditional credit access is limited, particularly in parts of Latin America. Users can spend up to a preset limit, and their collateral remains in place, preserving upside exposure to AVAX while still enabling real-world purchasing power. As users repay their balance, the locked assets become available again—mirroring the experience of secured credit cards.
By linking credit issuance to self-custodied crypto assets, the Avalanche Card creates a new kind of access tool that bridges DeFi principles with real-world financial needs.
Spending Crypto at the Point of Sale (POS)
AEON Pay: 20 Million Merchants and QR Simplicity
AEON Pay stands out as one of the largest crypto-enabled merchant networks globally. Through a partnership with Algorand, it now enables crypto payments at over 20 million merchant terminals across Southeast Asia—with plans to expand into Africa and Latin America. The platform integrates effortlessly with TokenPocket and Bitget Wallet, allowing users to pay with ALGO and Algorand-USDC at outlets like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, and UNIQLO.
The payment flow remains seamless: a user scans a QR code at checkout, approves the transaction in their wallet, and the crypto settles in fiat for the merchant. This mirrors popular mobile wallets in Asia, such as Alipay or WeChat Pay, which helps drive user adoption. These features make AEON Pay an effective real-world payment solution that operates without requiring merchants to handle crypto directly.
XDC Network: Real-World Payments Taking Shape
While XDC is best known for its enterprise and trade finance applications, recent developments suggest it is quietly laying the groundwork for real-world retail adoption.
The most notable example is AliX Pay, a payment platform launched in partnership with Aliniex, a major Southeast Asian crypto exchange. Built on the XDC Network, AliX Pay allows users to scan a QR code and pay directly with XDC, while merchants receive their local fiat currency. The system is already operational across 34 million merchant endpoints in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It mirrors the QR-based payment infrastructure common across Asia, making it highly intuitive for users already familiar with digital wallets and mobile checkout experiences.
In parallel, Alchemy Pay has integrated XDC into its fiat-to-crypto on-ramp services, expanding the ability for users to purchase XDC directly with Visa, Mastercard, and regional payment options in over 100 countries. While Alchemy Pay does not yet offer a debit card that supports direct XDC spending, this on-ramp lays essential groundwork for future card-based or wallet-based payment flows that include XDC.
These integrations suggest a steady movement toward enabling XDC as a day-to-day payment asset. With QR-based networks like AliX Pay gaining traction and fiat gateways like Alchemy Pay simplifying access, the XDC ecosystem is beginning to show how a purpose-built enterprise chain can intersect with real-world consumer use. More tools and merchant-facing applications will likely follow as demand grows for low-fee, high-speed settlement options.
🤝Aliniex Announces Strategic Partnership with XDC Network, Integrates Real-World Payments via AliX Pay
— Aliniex.com (@Aliniex) May 26, 2025
We're excited to announce our strategic partnership with XDC Network (@XDC_Network_ ) to expand our ecosystem and enhance real-world payment capabilities through AliX Pay… pic.twitter.com/ee13z9DvqT
Other POS Solutions Expanding Globally
- Binance Pay enables QR-based payments globally through custodial accounts. It supports merchants on platforms like Shopify and integrates with Binance’s global wallet ecosystem.
- Alchemy Pay focuses on emerging markets and offers fiat-to-crypto checkout support for online and in-store merchants.
- NOWPayments is a non-custodial plugin provider for Shopify, WooCommerce, and point-of-sale systems. It supports over 150 tokens and allows settlement in either fiat or crypto.
- Flexa powers U.S.-based crypto payments through the SPEDN app. Users can spend USDC and other tokens at major retail chains, including GameStop and AMC.
Each platform reflects growing merchant demand for fast, low-cost payment options that integrate seamlessly with existing systems.
Mainstream Meets Crypto
The Rise of Crypto On-Ramps: Making Entry Easier
As crypto becomes more mainstream, on-ramp solutions are playing a critical role in enabling users to access digital assets using familiar payment methods. These improvements are reducing friction and driving broader adoption:
- Custodial On-Ramps Gain Traction: Platforms like Coinbase, Binance, and Crypto.com now let users buy crypto directly with debit or credit cards. These services include compliance checks, instant delivery, and integrated wallets, making it easy for consumers to start using crypto without setting up manual transfers or understanding blockchain mechanics.
- Aggregators Simplify Access Globally: Services such as Onramper and Transak bundle multiple payment providers into one platform. Users can enter crypto markets using local payment rails—whether ACH in the U.S., SEPA in the EU, or bank transfers in emerging markets—often at better rates and reduced complexity.
- HashPack’s Google and Apple Pay Integration: The leading Hedera wallet, HashPack, recently enabled Google Pay and Apple Pay for all supported on‑ramps within the app. This feature allows users to buy HBAR or USDC using their preferred mobile payment method with just a few taps. HashPack’s clean, intuitive interface makes onboarding seamless and positions it as a gateway for new users into the Hedera ecosystem.
One more thing…
— HashPack Wallet (@HashPackApp) June 23, 2025
Google Pay and Apple Pay are now enabled for all existing onramps that supports it!
Accessing the Hedera culture should be effortless.
ℏ/acc/onramp pic.twitter.com/WdynKLywOL
These on-ramp innovations illustrate how ease of access can accelerate adoption. When users can buy crypto as simply as ordering food or elevating loyalty points, the pizza-buying experience becomes an entry point into Web3. Over time, this seamless journey—from fiat via card swipe to holding or spending crypto—will help normalize and expand daily crypto usage.
Earning Crypto Through Traditional Systems
For many users, traditional financial platforms remain the most accessible way to earn crypto without managing private keys or blockchain wallets. Several leading companies now offer credit and debit cards that convert everyday purchases into crypto rewards.
- Robinhood Gold Card: Offers 3% cashback on all purchases and 5% on travel booked through Robinhood. Cashback is automatically converted into crypto held in the user’s account. The card is linked to a Robinhood Gold subscription, which functions like an annual fee. This provides a hands-off way to build a crypto portfolio through daily spending.
- Coinbase Card: Lets users spend directly from their Coinbase balance while earning crypto on each purchase. Rewards can be paid in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDC, and users can change their selected reward asset at any time. The card works like a debit product and draws from the user’s Coinbase account, offering convenience within a custodial environment.
- Venmo and PYUSD: Venmo now supports PayPal’s PYUSD stablecoin, allowing users to send and receive it in-app. Although Venmo doesn’t yet offer a crypto rewards card, PYUSD integration signals future plans for on-chain rewards or merchant settlement. As stablecoin adoption grows, apps like Venmo may play a key role in making crypto earning mainstream.
These products meet users where they are, offering familiar financial tools while gradually introducing them to digital assets. For many, this is the first step toward deeper engagement with Web3 ecosystems and payment options.
Custodial vs Non-Custodial: Choosing a Path
Users exploring crypto payment tools must decide whether to rely on custodial platforms or maintain control through non-custodial wallets. This choice shapes how funds are managed, how transactions are approved, and the level of personal responsibility required.
Custodial solutions, like those offered by Coinbase or Robinhood, manage private keys on the user’s behalf. These platforms are familiar, convenient, and often integrated with reward systems or traditional finance tools. However, users trade off self-sovereignty for convenience. Funds can be frozen, limited by platform policy, or subject to service interruptions.
In contrast, non-custodial wallets—such as Pera Wallet or Bitget Wallet—allow users to retain full ownership of their assets. Paired with infrastructure like Immersve, these wallets support real-time spending without giving up custody. This model aligns with crypto’s core values but requires users to manage their private keys securely and understand wallet interactions.
As crypto payments grow, both paths will likely continue to serve different audiences. Custodial options help onboard newcomers, while non-custodial tools support experienced users seeking control and transparency. The ecosystem benefits from having both.
The Rise of Stablecoins and Spendable Crypto
Stablecoins as Spendable Money
Stablecoins serve as the bridge between the digital asset economy and everyday finance. Designed to maintain a 1:1 peg to fiat currencies, they offer price stability and utility that traditional cryptocurrencies often lack. This makes them ideal for daily payments, savings, payroll, and remittances.
By mid-2025, the total supply of stablecoins surpassed $250 billion, led by USDT and USDC. Users and institutions now rely on stablecoins to settle transactions, automate payouts, and transfer value with near-zero fees. Their adoption extends far beyond DeFi, reaching into ecommerce, B2B settlement, and peer-to-peer payment flows.
Developers are rapidly expanding infrastructure to support this usage. Platforms now offer stablecoin APIs, invoicing tools, and smart contract integrations that improve the experience of paying with digital dollars. For users, these tools reduce friction and increase access—especially in underserved markets where stablecoins provide an alternative to local currency instability.
The shift from holding to spending stablecoins is accelerating. As wallets, merchant tools, and real-world use cases grow, stablecoins are becoming more than just a digital representation of fiat—they’re evolving into a programmable, spendable layer of the global economy.
Hedera: Predictable Fees Fuel Real-World USDC Growth
Hedera is emerging as a preferred network for stablecoin activity, driven by its fixed $0.001 fee per USDC transfer. This cost remains stable regardless of network traffic or HBAR’s price, making Hedera ideal for high-frequency, low-cost payments.
Since Q4 2024, USDC volume on Hedera has climbed over 400%, with usage fueled by both institutional pilots and retail adoption. Shinhan Bank and SCB TechX explored Hedera for cross-border stablecoin payments, while users increasingly transact on SaucerSwap and lend via Bonzo Finance.
The broader ecosystem is also maturing. Wallets like HashPack offer a streamlined interface for sending and managing USDC, while developers benefit from Hedera’s fast throughput—over 10,000 tps—and tools like Stablecoin Studio for building programmable, compliant stablecoins.
USDC supply on Hedera briefly topped $200M, dipped to $40M, and now sits near $130M, showing renewed momentum. While there are no point-of-sale or crypto card integrations yet, Hedera’s fee structure and scalability make it a strong candidate for future payment tools and merchant apps.
With rising stablecoin adoption and growing ecosystem utility, Hedera is well-positioned to support the next wave of real-world crypto spending.
This steady rise in USDC volume on Hedera signals a shift in stablecoin demand, opening up new possibilities for what builders, businesses, and institutions can do with stablecoins. pic.twitter.com/HdjkmCuo9A
— Hedera Foundation (@HederaFndn) July 9, 2025
The GENIUS Act Brings U.S. Clarity
The passage of the GENIUS Act in June 2025 marked a major step forward for stablecoin regulation in the United States. For the first time, the bill defines clear legal standards for payment-focused stablecoins—requiring full 1:1 reserves, regular audits, and strict AML and KYC compliance. This regulatory clarity gives both issuers and financial institutions a framework they can operate within confidently.
It also opens the door for licensed entities to apply for federal charters, as seen with Ripple’s Standard Custody and Circle’s rumored bank ambitions. With these pathways in place, stablecoin providers can build closer ties to the banking system while ensuring oversight and transparency.
For users, the GENIUS Act could lead to wider acceptance of stablecoins across consumer apps, fintech platforms, and payment processors. For builders, it removes uncertainty around how U.S. regulators will treat dollar-pegged digital assets used for payments. As stablecoin volumes continue to grow—especially on low-fee networks like Hedera and XDC—this legislation could prove foundational to the next wave of crypto-based financial innovation.
A Spendable, Programmable Economy Is Taking Shape
Crypto once promised a new financial system, but daily usability remained out of reach for most users. That’s beginning to change. Today, users can earn, spend, and transfer crypto through tools that resemble familiar payment experiences while preserving digital ownership.
From non-custodial cards like Pera and Avalanche Card to merchant networks like AEON Pay and AliX Pay, crypto is increasingly practical at checkout. Stablecoins are driving much of this shift. As adoption grows, developers are building interfaces, wallets, and settlement layers that make crypto useful beyond trading.
Improved regulations—like the GENIUS Act in the U.S.—are also helping to stabilize the path forward. With new legal clarity, developers can build with confidence, and institutions can explore deeper crypto integrations. Meanwhile, wallet interfaces like HashPack and tools like Immersve are lowering friction, giving users more ways to spend crypto directly.
Ultimately, the future of crypto isn’t only about speculation—it’s about usability. The ability to tap your phone and pay with stablecoins, or earn crypto rewards on everyday purchases, reflects the next evolution of Web3: one that merges control, convenience, and global utility.
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