Most Crypto Holders Want to Pay with Bitcoin but Rarely Do, Survey Show

Why It Matters

The findings highlight structural friction in Bitcoin’s payment ecosystem, limiting its utility as a mainstream transaction medium and prompting users toward alternative crypto solutions like stablecoins and card platforms.

Key Takeaways

• 55% rarely spend Bitcoin due to acceptance limits
• 49.6% cite merchant scarcity as primary barrier
• High fees deter 44.7% of users
• Users prioritize lower fees, rewards, wider acceptance
• Gaming leads crypto spending among active users

Pulse Analysis

The GoMining survey underscores a persistent gap between desire and reality for Bitcoin payments. While 80% of respondents back broader adoption, almost six in ten admit they rarely or never use Bitcoin for everyday purchases. The primary friction points—merchant scarcity and steep fees—mirror long‑standing criticisms of the network’s scalability and cost structure. Price volatility, cited by 43.4% of participants, adds another layer of uncertainty, discouraging both consumers and merchants from embracing Bitcoin as a reliable medium of exchange.

In contrast, stablecoins are gaining traction through crypto‑linked debit cards, which bypass many of Bitcoin’s pain points. According to blockchain analytics firm Artemis, monthly card‑based crypto volume surged from roughly $100 million in early 2023 to over $1.5 billion by late 2025. These cards convert stablecoins into fiat at the point of sale, delivering low‑fee, near‑instant transactions that appeal to both merchants and shoppers. The rapid growth of this channel suggests that users are gravitating toward solutions that combine crypto’s convenience with traditional payment stability.

For the Bitcoin ecosystem, the survey’s insights signal a strategic crossroads. To unlock mainstream usage, developers must address merchant onboarding and fee reduction, perhaps through layer‑2 solutions like the Lightning Network. Simultaneously, the rise of stablecoin card ecosystems may reshape user expectations, pressuring Bitcoin to innovate or risk relegation to a store‑of‑value niche. Stakeholders who can bridge the usability gap stand to capture a sizable share of the emerging crypto‑payments market.