We recently brought together industry leaders from BitJem, Fold, and Tillo for a deep-dive webinar on 2026 trends shaping crypto, gift cards, and emerging technology.
One theme stood out clearly: the rapid rise of crypto gift cards and the pivotal role they play in connecting digital value with real-world retail.
Today, there are more than 560 million crypto users worldwide - around 1 in 10 adults. The total crypto market now exceeds $3 trillion, with stablecoins processing $27.5 trillion in transactions last year, overtaking VISA and Mastercard combined. Crypto gift cards are becoming one of the biggest untapped opportunities for brands and buyers – and those who move first will reap the benefits.
Here’s everything you need to know:
A new generation is driving Crypto growth
The biggest force behind crypto adoption is consumers aged 18-35. This group has increasingly lost faith in traditional financial routes like home ownership and stable income. Within their lifetime, Bitcoin has become one of the most trusted and best performing financial assets for the next generation of consumers and savers.
While young people are the primary customer base, they are using Bitcoin for "typical everyday use cases," such as saving, funding purchases, getting paid, and gifting. The gift card is a powerful tool to reach people across all demographics.
The two big opportunities for the gift card industry
1. Crypto as a Gift Card Product
Companies such as Fold and BitJem are making Bitcoin and multi-crypto products redeemable through gift cards. And the consumer demand is there. A study by Fold found that 60% of U.S. shoppers say they want to gift Bitcoin for holidays and milestones. It’s a gift that has the potential to gain value over time and can make a “first step” into crypto.
2. Retail Brands Listed in Crypto Marketplaces
Millions of consumers now hold crypto and actively want ways to spend it. By listing your gift card in crypto marketplaces, your brand becomes instantly discoverable to:
- Younger, global, digital-first customers
- High-intent spenders with balances ready to use
- An entirely new ecosystem that’s expanding at a pace
The great thing is, you don’t need to launch a crypto product or change your business model to benefit in this space. You simply show up and offer your existing gift cards where people already want to spend.
Debunking crypto myths
Crypto has a reputation for being complicated, volatile, and risky. That no longer has to be the case. Industry players are highly compliant and focused on providing a regulated, trusted, secure experience.
- VISA, Mastercard, Stripe, and Shopify are now all supporting crypto payments
- Crypto partners handle all volatility, conversion, and compliance
- Gift cards act as a safe, familiar bridge between digital value and everyday retail
The Real Risk? Standing Still
The experts on our panel were unanimous: the time to adopt crypto gift cards is now. Not having a strategy will come with real consequences. Will Reeves, CEO at Fold, estimated that 70% of Bitcoin gift card use is for long-term saving, while 30% is for immediate payment or subsequent purchases.
As stablecoins continue to evolve into formalised payment rails, and as a digital-native generation reaches peak spending power, brands without a crypto strategy will lose visibility, relevance, and revenue to those already embracing it.
On the flip side, the upside is huge:
- New incremental sales
- Brand discovery in fast-growing channels
- Access to active global communities
- Cross-border opportunities without the need for expensive FX rates
- Loyalty from a young and influential consumer base
The gift card industry is uniquely positioned to lead this shift. Crypto gift cards unlock a win-win: giving buyers a simple, trusted way to spend digital value in the real world, while enabling brands to safely reach new, global, digital-first audiences with minimal risk and maximum upside. And through Tillo, it has never been easier.
If you’d like to find out more about crypto opportunities, you can catch up with our webinar here or get in touch with our team of experts.
