Virtual Cards Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Card Type (Debit Card, Credit Card), By Product Type, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Virtual Cards Market Summary

For instance, in May 2021, according to a report published by MasterCard Payment Index, 93% of the surveyed consumers preferred emerging payment trends such as biometrics, digital currencies, and QR code in addition to contactless payment. Hence, payment providers are constantly deploying multiple pay and shop solutions for consumers.

The demand for virtual cards is anticipated to be driven by the growing need for an extra layer of protection, such as tokenization, in the digital payment gateway system. In addition, tokenization technology within virtual cards offers multiple benefits, such as better user experience, reduced costs on protection, and others for both businesses and customers. Further, by integrating tokenization within these cards, merchants can transfer data between networks while protecting their customer’s vital information. Such factors are anticipated to create a positive outlook for the market during the forecast period.

The growing adoption of smartphones globally is emerging as one of the major factors propelling the adoption of virtual cards. Innovative technological advancements such as 5G are being integrated progressively within smartphones that offer users better customer satisfaction, thereby accentuating the market growth. In addition, growing internet penetration across the globe is leading to a surge in digital payments, thereby creating demand for virtual cards. In June 2022, according to the latest report published by the World Bank, the global internet users have been estimated to be around 60% of the world population.

Governments across the world are constantly encouraging companies that provide secure payment solutions to improve their offerings. For instance, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued guidelines to States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments to enhance payment acceptance infrastructure in India. These guidelines are creating opportunities for citizens to pay through a variety of channels such as mobile banking, internet banking, and mobile applications, among others. Such government initiatives are anticipated to create a positive outlook for the market in the near future.

The rising advantages of these cards, such as setting spending limits, canceling and pausing a card at any time, among others, are expected to develop a new set of opportunities for market growth. In addition, virtual cards, unlike physical cards, cannot be lost or stolen. However, the growing concerns over the limited availability of these cards are expected to hamper the market growth during the forecast period. Further, the ever-increasing risk of cyber-attacks and fraud associated with digital payments are also likely to hinder the development of the market.

Card Type Insights

Based on card type, the credit card segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 60.6% in 2024. The segment growth is attributed to the growing concerns about preventing corporate fraud. In addition, businesses have shifted to controlled, centralized, and seamless payment options such as Virtual Credit Cards (VCCs) to mitigate these risks. Moreover, several banks have collaborated with fintech companies to deliver virtual credit cards. For instance, in November 2021, the Bank of Baroda announced its collaboration with OneCard, a fintech-based startup, to provide a virtual credit card that will be delivered in three minutes. This credit card was planned to be offered by BOB Financial Services Limited (BFSL) and controlled by OneCard on VISA's Signature platform.

The debit card segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The segment is expected to be driven by growing net banking users across the globe, which is expected to drive the demand for virtual debit cards. For instance, in May 2022, Google announced the development of two new payment initiatives, such as digital wallets and virtual cards. This launch is aimed at offering enhanced security and greater convenience for its users across the globe.

Product Type Insights

The B2B virtual cards segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 70.3% in 2024. The increased exports and import of goods and services around the world have ramped up the demand for B2B transactions among businesses, which are expected to drive the demand for B2B virtual cards. Companies are integrating virtual cards into their B2B payment processes to improve cash flow, increase security, and facilitate Accounts Payable (AP) automation more smoothly rather than relying on antiquated methods like paper checks. In addition, enabling virtual card acceptance via accounts receivable automation can also boost efficiency and assist businesses in capturing growth opportunities.

The B2C remote payment virtual cards segment is expected to register at the fastest CAGR of 22.6% during the forecast period. Banks provide these cards to their retail clients, which helps retailers in making effective online payments. In addition, these cards are only used for one-time payments and have a specific validity period. The virtual card number, expiration date, and security code (CVV) can be generated by the customer using the bank's website or mobile application.

Application Insights

Based on application, the business use segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 68.6% in 2024. Businesses use virtual cards to make payments online to vendors and suppliers. These cards provide increased security because, unlike traditional credit and debit cards, they cannot be misplaced or stolen. Furthermore, these cards can only be used once or for a limited number of transactions, thereby reducing the possibility of fraud. In the event of any potential fraud, the issuing authority can immediately block the virtual card. Virtual cards can also be used by businesses to pay employee expenses and book corporate travel.

The consumer use segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 21.8% over the forecast period. The increasing consumer inclination towards digital payments due to the pandemic is among the influential factors that are expected to drive the growth of the segment. Consumers across the globe prefer virtual card payments over cash payments owing to various benefits they offer, such as convenience and accessibility. For instance, according to a global Findex report by the World Bank in 2021, 89% of adults in China had a bank account, of which 82% were engaged in digital payments.

Regional Insights 

The virtual cards market in North America held a significant share in 2024. The increasing demand for contactless and digital payments drives growth in the market. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift away from cash and physical card transactions as both consumers and businesses sought safer, more hygienic ways to conduct payments. Virtual cards, which can be used for online and contactless payments without needing a physical counterpart, became a popular option during this time. As consumers have grown accustomed to these forms of payment, their use continues to expand post-pandemic. The convenience of integrating virtual cards into mobile wallets and other digital platforms further enhances their appeal.

U.S. Virtual Cards Market Trends

The virtual cards market in U.S. accounted for the largest revenue share in North America in 2024, due to the enhanced security features offered by it. Each virtual card is typically generated for a specific transaction or merchant, with unique card numbers that reduce the risk of fraud. This "single-use" or "limited-use" functionality ensures that even if card details are compromised, they cannot be reused for fraudulent purposes.

Europe Virtual Cards Market Trends

Europe dominated the virtual cards market with the largest revenue share of 37.28% 2024. The growing preference for cashless payments across European countries such as the UK, Germany, and others is expected to drive the growth of the regional market. Furthermore, several market players are launching innovative products in the European market to attract customers to the adoption of virtual cards. For instance, in April 2021, Stripe launched Stripe Issuing in European nations. Stripe Issuing allows us to create, organize, and disperse virtual and physical payment cards, allowing businesses to have more authority over how their money is spent.

The virtual cards market in the UK is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR during the forecast period, due to the presence of a strong regulatory environment that encourages innovation in financial services. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and other regulatory bodies in the UK have created a conducive framework for fintech companies to develop and deploy digital payment solutions like virtual cards.

The Germany virtual cards market held a substantial market share in 2024, owing to the rising demand for digital payment solutions. This change is largely driven by increased e-commerce activity, accelerated further by the COVID-19 pandemic, which made contactless and online payments a necessity. Consumers in Germany are increasingly turning to secure, flexible, and convenient payment methods, such as virtual cards, that can be used both online and in-store.

Asia Pacific Virtual Cards Market Trends

The virtual cards market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at the fastest CAGR of 22.6% during the forecast period. The regional market growth is attributed to the increasing smartphone penetration in countries such as India, China, and Japan. In addition, the growing smartphone usage in these economies has led to an increasing inclination toward digital payments among consumers, thereby creating more demand for virtual card payment solutions. For instance, in October 2021, according to a report published by Asian Bankers Worldwide, Japan had a 70.6% penetration of digital wallets, which is expected to increase up to 98.6% by 2025.

The Japan virtual cards market is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR during the forecast period, due to the increasing adoption of virtual cards in the corporate. Japanese companies are seeking more efficient ways to handle payments, particularly in managing employee expenses, subscriptions, and online purchases. Virtual cards allow businesses to control and track expenses more effectively, offering the ability to set limits, monitor transactions in real-time, and reduce administrative burdens. This trend is expanding the use of virtual cards beyond consumers to the corporate sector, contributing to overall market growth.

The virtual cards market in China held a substantial market share in 2024, owing to rapid digitization. Platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate the mobile payment landscape, transforming the country into a largely cashless society. Virtual cards seamlessly integrate with these mobile payment platforms, allowing users to conduct online transactions without needing a physical card.

Key Virtual Cards Company Insights

Some of the key companies in the global market include American Express Company, BTRS Holdings, Inc.,JPMorgan Chase & Co., MasterCard, and others. Organizations are focusing on increasing customer base to gain a competitive edge in the industry. Therefore, key players are taking several strategic initiatives, such as mergers and acquisitions and partnerships with other major companies.

• Mastercard is a financial services organization known for its payment processing solutions, including credit, debit, and prepaid cards. Mastercard’s virtual card offerings are integrated across its wide range of payment platforms, including consumer wallets, mobile banking apps, and corporate payment systems. For businesses, Mastercard provides virtual cards through its Mastercard InControl and Commercial Card programs, enabling more efficient expense management, secure online procurement, and easier reconciliation for accounts payable processes.

• American Express Company (Amex) is a provider of financial services including credit card, charge card, and payment solutions. Amex virtual cards are designed for businesses to make secure and flexible payments without using physical cards. These virtual cards allow businesses to generate single-use or limited-use card numbers for specific purchases or vendors, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and unauthorized transactions.

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, Mastercard partnered with Aquapay to introduce the Mastercard In Control for Business Travel solution in India, aimed at enhancing the efficiency of business travel payments. This innovative virtual card solution allows travel management companies (TMCs) to issue virtual cards for central travel accounts, streamlining payment processes and improving security.

• In May 2024, HDFC bank launched a virtual credit card named PIXEL in collaboration with Visa. PIXEL is designed to cater to the needs of tech-savvy consumers who prefer seamless and customizable financial solutions. The card comes in two versions-PIXEL Play and PIXEL Go-allowing users to select tailored benefits and offers that align with their spending habits. This innovative offering is fully integrated into HDFC Bank's PayZapp mobile application, which provides a comprehensive suite of features such as card controls, rewards management, and real-time transaction notifications.

Virtual Cards Market Report Scope

Global Virtual Cards Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global virtual cards market report based on card type, product type, application, and region.

• Card Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

  • Debit Card

  • Credit Card

• Product Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

  • B2B Virtual Cards

  • B2C Remote Payment Virtual Cards

  • C2B POS Virtual Cards

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

  • Consumer Use

  • Business Use

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • South Korea

    • Australia

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East and Africa (MEA)

    • KSA

    • UAE

    • South Africa