Global Card Issuance via Modern Platforms to Double by 2030

2026-01-25 - 21:06

A new study by global technology analysts Juniper Research has found that the number of cards issued via modern card issuing platforms is set to rise from 756 million in 2025 to almost 1.6 billion worldwide by 2030. This represents a 108% increase. The research identified reducing operational costs as the primary motivation for banks adopting modern card issuing platforms. This marks a shift away from a focus on user experience. By moving from complex, largely manual batch processing to a fully API-driven approach, banks can significantly lower operational costs. This can improve margins in an environment of rising financial pressure. Jawad Jahan “Modern card issuing platforms appeal to every type of issuer, not just digital challengers. While competing on user experience matters, cost has become the real battleground, with issuers prioritising platforms that deliver measurable direct and indirect savings,” said Jawad Jahan, Research Analyst at Juniper Research. The study found that by 2030 almost 45% of all credit cards will be issued via modern card issuing platforms. This is the highest proportion for any card type. Debit card issuing is expected to lag, with only 32% of cards projected to be issued through modern platforms by 2030. This creates a notable gap in user experience. Jahan added: “Credit card issuers are a far more diverse group than debit issuers, but they are often simpler to modernise. The real challenge lies with complex issuers. Modern card issuing platforms must integrate seamlessly into existing tech stacks, cutting cost and complexity rather than adding to it.” Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by maxx-studio via Freepik