Ukrainians are continuing their steady shift towards a modern and secure banking system by increasing their use of cashless transactions, according to new data released by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). In the first three months of 2025, the number of card transactions rose to 2,191.3 million, a 13.5 percent increase from the same period last year, when it stood at 1,950.9 million.
The total value of these transactions also saw significant growth, reaching ₴1.65 trillion, which is approximately £32.6 billion. This is an increase from ₴1.49 trillion, or around £29.5 billion, recorded in the first quarter of 2024. The figures reflect a strong and growing preference among Ukrainians for digital finance methods, both inside Ukraine and abroad.
Of the total card operations this year, 2,086.4 million were non-cash transactions, totalling ₴1.07 trillion, equivalent to roughly £21.2 billion. These represent increases of 13.5 percent in number and 11.7 percent in value compared to the same period last year. In terms of transaction volume, 95.2 percent were cashless, and 65.2 percent of the total value of all card transactions was made up of non-cash payments.
Despite the rising popularity of cashless payments, Ukrainians are also withdrawing more cash on average. At the end of the first quarter of 2025, the average single withdrawal had grown to ₴4,735, or about £94, marking an 18 percent rise from last year.
These figures confirm that cashless banking continues to be a central feature of Ukraine’s resilient economy in wartime conditions.
