Mastercard and Visa Cards Reach $10 Trillion in Spending Milestone in 2025

Credit, debit, and prepaid cards issued in the United States reached a historic milestone of $10 trillion in combined spending for the first time in 2025, according to data from the Nilson Report released March 3, 2026.

This represents unprecedented growth in card-based payments across all categories, including credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid payment cards. The $10 trillion figure encompasses spending on goods and services generated by cards issued specifically in the US market.

The milestone reflects the continued shift away from cash and check payments toward electronic payment methods. Card payments have become increasingly dominant in the US economy, with consumers and businesses relying heavily on plastic and digital card transactions for everyday purchases and major expenditures alike.

The Nilson Report, which tracks payment card industry data, documented this achievement as card usage continued its upward trajectory throughout 2025. The $10 trillion threshold represents a significant benchmark for the payments industry, demonstrating the scale at which Americans now conduct financial transactions through card-based systems.