OKX Card users across Europe primarily spent on everyday essentials in the product’s first month, according to transaction data released Wednesday.
Across the European Economic Area (EEA), groceries and supermarkets accounted for 26% of all transactions, while restaurants and fast food made up 18%, outpacing categories like travel and online shopping.
The analysis covers settled purchases made with the OKX Card between Jan. 28 and Feb. 26, spanning the top 20 merchant categories by transaction count, volume, and number of users. The dataset includes most EEA markets where the card is available and reflects typical daily spending patterns, including occasional high-value purchases such as utilities, while excluding peer-to-peer transfers.
The data also highlights notable national differences. In France, for instance, bakeries account for 5% of OKX Card transactions—more than double the 2% average across the EEA—underscoring the country’s strong café and boulangerie culture.
In Germany, 30% of OKX Card transactions took place on online marketplaces—more than double the EEA average of 13%. Meanwhile, the Netherlands recorded the highest share of grocery spending, with 37% of transactions occurring at supermarkets.
Poland stood out for frequent low-value, in-person payments, with 16% of transactions at convenience stores and roughly 9% at fuel stations—both above EEA averages.
According to OKX, these patterns suggest that using crypto for everyday payments is becoming more common. The data challenges the perception that crypto cards are mainly used for luxury purchases, instead showing widespread use for routine spending like groceries and coffee.
The company added that while national differences reflect local consumer habits, the trend points to stablecoin-funded card payments gradually replacing traditional payment methods in daily life—not just for occasional large purchases.
Part of a broader European shift
Wider industry data supports these findings. A 2025 report from CEX.IO found that about 45% of crypto card transactions in Europe were under €10, while roughly 40% occurred online—nearly double the euro-area average of around 21%.
Additional data from Brighty, cited by Cointelegraph, showed that Spain accounted for around 36% of retail transactions and 25% of total volume in Circle’s euro stablecoin EURC between 2025 and early 2026. With an average payment size of about €49, the figures suggest stablecoins are already being used for everyday purchases and peer-to-peer transfers.
