The use of cryptocurrency for everyday transactions is accelerating in the European Union, with retail and food purchases accounting for 70% of all crypto payments, according to a new report from Oobit, a cryptocurrency payments platform.
The report, which analyzed six months of transaction data, provides a snapshot of how digital assets are increasingly being used as a legitimate means of payment. The average transaction size through the Oobit app was $8.36, while average deposits into the app were significantly higher, reaching $85.
The data aligns with a broader trend of growing crypto adoption in the EU, supported by regulatory developments and increasing consumer trust.
Stablecoins and Consumer Spending Trends
A key finding in the report is the overwhelming dominance of the stablecoin USDT, which accounted for 92% of all payments made through the app. This figure highlights the preference for price-stable digital assets over more volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum when making day-to-day purchases.
Oobit users also benefited from a 5% cashback incentive on USDT payments, further driving its usage.
However, the heavy reliance on USDT raises regulatory questions. The stablecoin has faced scrutiny under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which took full effect on December 30, 2024.
While its use remains widespread, future regulatory adjustments could impact how stablecoins are integrated into everyday transactions.
Beyond retail and food, the next largest category of crypto spending was tourism-related expenses, including lodging, travel, and aviation, which made up 26% of transactions.
Meanwhile, 1.5% of payments went toward government services and digital payments, and another 1.5% were used for miscellaneous purchases such as healthcare and entertainment.
Regional Growth and Regulatory Developments
The top five countries using Oobit’s app were Romania, Poland, Hungary, Spain, and Lithuania, each with varying levels of regulatory support and adoption rates.
Romania recently implemented a tax break on crypto earnings, exempting individual investors from taxation until July 31, 2025. Oobit data shows that 71% of Romanian users’ crypto spending fell within the retail and food sector, with an average payment size of $7.1.
In Poland, crypto-friendly political discourse, particularly from presidential candidate Sławomir Mentzen, has positioned the country as a growing hub for digital assets. Seventy-two percent of crypto payments were used for retail and food, with an average payment size of $8.3.
Hungary has seen improved regulatory clarity following the adoption of Act VII of 2024 on Markets in Crypto-Assets. Hungarian users spent 63% of their crypto transactions in retail and food, averaging $7.9 per transaction.
A slightly more diverse spending pattern emerged in Spain, where retail and food transactions accounted for 54% of payments, with an average transaction size of $9.3.
Lithuania stood out among EU nations with the highest average deposit at $169, likely due to its status as a crypto-friendly business hub. A significant 83% of transactions in the country fell within the retail and food category.
