Visa’s Crypto Card Surge Offsets Slowing Cross-Border Growth

Visa's latest operational data reveals a dramatic shift in its growth drivers as the new year begins. The payments giant is experiencing a phenomenal surge in one digital segment, even as its traditionally lucrative cross-border business shows signs of moderation. Concurrently, a regulatory filing detailing a planned stock sale by the CEO has captured market attention.

A recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed that Visa's Chief Executive Officer, Ryan McInerney, has established a plan to divest more than 10,000 shares of the company's stock. This disclosure follows additional insider selling activity reported in the latter part of 2025. The announcement arrives as investors assess the company's mixed performance metrics and future trajectory.

Cryptocurrency-Linked Volume Skyrockets

The most striking development is the explosive growth in transaction volume processed through Visa cards linked to cryptocurrency platforms. Over the course of the past year, this volume has soared by an astounding 525%. Specifically, the net spending value across six major blockchain-based card programs jumped from $14.6 million in January 2025 to $91.3 million by December. This leap underscores Visa's strategic commitment to digital assets. Further supporting this trend is the company's stablecoin settlement program, which has now achieved an annualized volume of $3.5 billion.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Visa?

A Nuanced Broader Performance Picture

The overall business landscape for Visa presents a more varied picture. U.S. holiday season spending provided a stable foundation, growing by 4.2%. However, growth in the high-margin cross-border transactions segment has cooled to approximately 12%. This deceleration is being partially offset by a 17% rise in data processing revenues.

Market sentiment appears cautious in the short term, with the share price recently approaching its 200-day moving average of $344. This investor hesitancy also reflects broader uncertainties surrounding the U.S. regulatory environment for digital assets in 2026, a landscape that could be shaped by the upcoming midterm elections.

Upcoming Earnings in Focus

All eyes are now on the next quarterly earnings report, scheduled for January 22, 2026. The majority of analysts maintain a "Strong Buy" rating on the stock. The forthcoming results will need to demonstrate to what extent the triple-digit growth in the crypto segment is already contributing meaningfully to bottom-line profitability. Company management has previously indicated that operating expenses are expected to rise at a low double-digit rate to fund continued investments in infrastructure and artificial intelligence projects.