As traditional banks dwindle and financial inclusion remains an elusive goal, a quiet revolution is underway.
Decentralized finance (DeFi) is gaining ground, fueled by a proliferation of cryptocurrency solutions.
Among them, crypto debit cards are increasingly attractive, offering a tangible link between old and new financial ecosystems and promising to redefine the boundaries between money, technology, and innovation.
The once-stable foundations of traditional banking are slowly crumbling, leaving millions of people worldwide without reliable access to financial services.
However, in the midst of this chaos, DeFi is rising to the challenge, offering a lifeline to those most in need.
In Asia, hedge funds are leading the charge, with nearly half embracing cryptocurrencies as a means to democratize access to financial markets and unlock innovative investment opportunities.
In Latin America, where a staggering 50% of the population remains unbanked, DeFi solutions are finding fertile ground.
The region’s economic uncertainty has sparked a surge in crypto adoption, with 5 million individuals in Argentina alone using crypto as a shield against runaway inflation.
Maksym Sakhrav, Co-founder and CEO of WeFi, said,
“DeFi is changing the game in many ways, including the low cost of sending assets like USDC to the base network. This costs a fraction of a dollar, a major shift from the large cuts to banks. The attractiveness of crypto is already very visible, with over 5 million Argentinians using crypto to hedge against the country’s over 100% inflation rate”
As the flaws in traditional banking become increasingly apparent, crypto debit cards are emerging as a revolutionary solution for the underserved.
By bridging the gap between the old and new financial systems, these innovative cards are poised to bring financial freedom to millions.
A growing number of banks and institutions are offering crypto debit cards.
Crypto debit cards enable users to spend their digital assets directly.
Here’s a list of banks and financial institutions currently offering their clients crypto debit cards.
Mastercard joined forces with Mercuryo , a European crypto payments provider, to launch a euro-denominated crypto debit card.
The partnership allows European users to spend their digital assets directly from their self-custodial wallets at over 100 million merchants worldwide.
By supporting self-custody, Mastercard is democratizing access to digital assets and redefining the boundaries of financial control.
Visa is also at the forefront of crypto debit card innovation, partnering with major players like Crypto.com , Binance, and Coinbase to offer a range of cards.
These cards allow users to spend their cryptocurrencies at any merchant that accepts Visa, with automatic conversion to fiat at the point of sale.
Visa ‘s expansion into the crypto space is a testament to its commitment to integrating digital assets into everyday financial transactions.
Bybit, a leading crypto exchange, offers a crypto debit card that supports both virtual and physical formats.
Powered by Mastercard, this card ensures broad acceptance globally, allowing users to spend their crypto, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USDC, among others.
The card has a 0.9% crypto conversion fee and offers free monthly ATM withdrawals up to €200 (beyond which a 2% fee applies).
The virtual card has no annual, dormancy, or cancellation fees. However, there is a €5 fee for physical card issuance.
With a loyalty Rewards Shop and a VIP Program, Bybit’s card program is designed to offer a seamless and rewarding crypto spending experience.
Fintech company FV Bank unveiled new debit and corporate cards, in partnership with Visa, designed to integrate with its digital asset custody services seamlessly.
FV Bank’s cards, available to U.S. and international customers, allow users to access and spend both fiat and cryptocurrency balances.
This means that users can fund their cards with U.S. dollars, stablecoins like USDC and USDT, and a range of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon (POL), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Polkadot (DOT).
Coinbase offers a versatile card with global acceptance—anywhere Visa is accepted—and robust security features. It supports a selection of eight cryptocurrencies and boasts automatic conversion for seamless spending.
While there’s no annual fee, the card does charge a 2.49% cryptocurrency liquidation fee.
Wirex’s card prioritizes perks. With cashback rewards reaching up to 8%, free ATM withdrawals, and interest-earning capabilities, Wirex caters to those seeking the most out of their crypto spending.
However, to unlock these benefits, users must maintain a balance in Wirex’s native WXT tokens.
Crypto.com‘s card supports over 100 cryptocurrencies. However, certain card tiers require staking a certain amount of the company’s CRO token to unlock higher cashback and perks.
Previously offering a compelling 8% cashback, users could transfer assets from their spot, earn, or margin wallets to their funding wallet.
As spending occurs, Binance converts the crypto to cover costs. Due to regulatory restrictions, Binance’s card services are no longer available in the EU.
Crypto Debit Card Issuer | Available Countries |
---|---|
Binance Mastercard Card | Available globally |
Coinbase Visa Card | U. S., UK, European Union countries |
Crypto.com Visa Card | U.S., Canada, Europe (EEA countries), Australia, Singapore |
Wirex Mastercard/Visa | U.S., UK, European Economic Area (EEA), Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan |
Nexo Mastercard | European Economic Area (EEA) countries only |
Revolut (with crypto feature) | UK, European Union countries, United States, Australia, Japan |
BlockFi Rewards Visa | U.S. only |
BitPay Mastercard | U.S. only |
Baanx/MetaMask Mastercard | European Union and UK |
Crypterium Visa Card | European Union, UK, Russia, select Latin American countries |
Club Swan (Visa) | Available globally |
Monolith Visa (formerly TokenCard) | European Economic Area (EEA) countries only |
Uphold Mastercard | U.S. only |
SpectroCoin Visa Card | European Economic Area (EEA) countries only |
Plutus Visa Card | European Economic Area (EEA) countries only |
FTX Visa Card | U.S., Latin America, Caribbean, EMEA regions (available through selected partnerships) |
Shakepay Visa Card | Canada |