GoKawiilReport: US merchants paid record $198.25 billion in card processing fees in 2025
A Nilson Report analysis cited by the Merchants Payments Coalition shows US merchants paid $198.25 billion in credit and debit card processing fees in 2025, up from $62.1 billion in 2009. A former payments executive argues that card network interchange rates have barely risen over that period, meaning processor markups and add-on fees account for most of the increase. The piece lists five questions merchants should ask processors in writing before signing a contract.