What did we do before crypto cards? They’re our go-to cashout mechanism, our payment method for coffee and groceries, and our on-ramp when it’s time to top up our crypto balance. Part debit card, banking app, and token swap service rolled into one, the crypto card is indispensable to those who live life with one foot onchain and another in the off-chain world.
Beyond simply providing a convenient on-ramp, crypto cards effectively let you spend your bitcoin and other digital assets in the real world. This allows you to hold onto your crypto until the last possible minute, capturing all of the upside that this carries, before spending it like regular fiat currency at a moment’s notice. It’s an ability we take for granted these days, but which once seemed unimaginable in crypto’s early days, when getting money in and out was a complex and protracted task.
If you’ve yet to take the crypto card pill, you’re missing out. Thankfully, fixing that is the matter of a few minutes’ work on account of a verification process that’s quick and easy for most issuers. The only trick is deciding which crypto payment card to choose. To help you in that quest, the following contenders come highly recommended.
Mercuryo Spend (via Ledger Live & Mastercard)
Integrated with Ledger Live, the Mercuryo Spend card is a godsend for hardware wallet users prioritizing security. It allows direct spending from your BTC and ETH holdings without compromising self-custody. For the security conscious, this is about as safe as it gets. It also helps that Mercuryo Spend offers instant setup with no fees. The EUR-denominated card supports Apple Pay and Google Pay, ensuring compatibility with popular payment systems. Its seamless connection to Ledger’s ecosystem, meanwhile, means your crypto assets remain secure while custodied, before using the card to make payment anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
One of the difficulties in convincing security-conscious crypto users to spend their digital assets is the worry that they’ll make a wrong step along the way. For such individuals, the thought of breaking the sanctity of cold storage to move their crypto into a hot wallet doesn’t sit easily. This is where Mercuryo Spend proves its worth, allowing users to sleep easy in the knowledge that their crypto is in cold storage right up until the point of needing to spend it. It’s a solution that allows users to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Coinbase Card
Backed by Visa, Coinbase Card is naturally attractive to users already immersed in Coinbase’s ecosystem, offering a straightforward way to spend crypto whenever there’s an IRL bill to pay or spontaneous purchase to indulge. Available in the U.S. and parts of Europe, it supports multiple cryptocurrencies and provides cashback rewards in the form of cryptos like XLM or BTC, typically 1-4% per transaction. The intuitive app ensures a smooth user experience, with real-time transaction tracking and spending limits customizable within Coinbase’s platform.
Beyond ease of use, the card’s rewards program incentivizes regular spending, making it particularly appealing for casual users. There are no issuance fees, though a small conversion fee applies, which is offset by Coinbase’s competitive exchange rates. For beginners, the familiarity of the Coinbase brand coupled with Visa’s global acceptance make it a low-barrier entry to crypto spending. If you’re already a Coinbase user, its crypto card is the one for you, sweetened by a choice of eight different cryptos available as cashback.
Crypto.com Visa Card
The Crypto.com Visa Card stands out on account of its tiered rewards system, tied to staking CRO. Depending on the tier, you can earn 1-5% cashback as well as other perks such as Netflix/Spotify rebates and even airport lounge access. Available in multiple regions, including the U.S., Europe, and Asia, the card’s stylish design makes it a favorite among Crypto.com’s loyal community, with no annual fees for basic tiers.
Higher tiers, requiring larger CRO stakes, unlock premium perks like higher cashback and exclusive benefits, which is ideal for power users. The Crypto.com Visa Card supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies and conversions are handled efficiently with minimal spread. The combination of lifestyle perks and crypto rewards creates a compelling package, making it ideal if you’re already deeply engaged with Crypto.com’s ecosystem. With the power of the Crypto.com brand behind it, the Crypto.com Visa card carries some clout.
Binance Card
Binance Card integrates seamlessly with Binance’s wallet and supports payments in BTC, ETH, BNB, and loads of other cryptos. Available primarily in Europe, it offers up to 8% cashback in BNB, with rates tied to your BNB holdings. The card has no issuance or annual fees, and the app provides real-time spending insights, making it a practical choice if you’re an existing Binance user looking to spend crypto effortlessly.
The card scores highly for the high cashback potential and flexibility, allowing you to select which crypto to spend from your Binance portfolio. Binance Card can be used at more than 60 million merchants in 200 regions around the world that accept Visa, while Binance’s low conversion fees keep costs down. For active traders and Binance loyalists, the card offers a convenient way to make your crypto work for you, combining rewards with the convenience of a major exchange-backed solution.
BitPay Card
BitPay Card is a Mastercard that supports a broad array of cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, and stablecoins, with instant reloads via the BitPay app. Its versatility extends beyond retail, allowing you to pay bills, buy gift cards, or withdraw cash at ATMs. With no annual fees, it’s a convenient option for unlocking spending power without giving up the HODL mentality that allowed you to stack so much crypto in the first place.
The BitPay Card’s accompanying app is a tidy companion, meanwhile, offering tools to manage spending, track transactions, and convert crypto at competitive rates. BitPay’s focus on practical use cases, like bill payments, further distinguishes it. It’s an ideal choice for users who value flexibility and want a card that doubles as a financial hub capable of catering to both their crypto and fiat needs.
Wirex
Wirex is a crypto debit card and neobank rolled into one. As one of the first crypto debit cards, Wirex has a good reputation and has been in the game for years. The accompanying mobile and web app combines crypto and fiat accounts, offering a hybrid solution for spending in over 150 currencies across 40+ countries. Backed by Mastercard, it provides up to 8% rewards in WXT, Wirex’s native asset, with no annual fees. The card also supports multiple cryptocurrencies and its app facilitates instant conversions, bank transfers, and ATM withdrawals, making it a good all-rounder.
The international coverage provided by Wirex’s Mastercard, coupled with the high reward potential, are key draws, especially for travelers who benefit from multi-currency support and free ATM withdrawals up to $200 monthly. Wirex’s neobank features, like Faster Payments in the UK, also add convenient banking-grade functionality. Wirex’s card is the perfect choice if you’re seeking a single solution for crypto spending and traditional finance on the go.
Revolut
Revolut’s crypto card is available as part of its neobank service, making it analogous to Wirex. It too has been in the game for years, and is the go-to choice for crypto users who are constantly moving money in and out of the onchain landscape. Available in over 30 countries, Revolut combines crypto functionality with multi-currency accounts, budgeting tools, and low-fee international transfers. The card’s sleek app and lack of annual fees for the basic card are complemented by a paid platinum option that includes features such as lower crypto conversion rates.
Another good thing about Revolut is that as well as a physical card, it’s available as a virtual one – or indeed as many virtual cards as you require. This means you can use separate virtual cards for online purchases, without worrying about your details being leaked all over the web or a dubious site getting access to your primary card. There’s cashback available on purchases, other perks such as airport lounge access, and the ability to withdraw cash from an ATM. Revolut’s competitive exchange rates make it a compelling choice if you’re seeking to access crypto spending as part of a comprehensive financial app for all your banking and payment needs.
