Payment cards that allow users to spend cryptocurrency (or earn rewards in crypto) — known as crypto cards — have evolved from a niche “experiment” into a mature financial category. In 2025, we’re witnessing how these cards are becoming deeply integrated with traditional payment systems, increasingly regulated, and simultaneously unlocking new opportunities for digital-asset holders. Below is an in-depth analysis of how they work, real market examples, key trends of 2025, and what to expect in 2026.

What are Crypto Cards and how do they work

In essence, a crypto card is a Visa or Mastercard (or similar network) product connected to a crypto exchange, wallet, or Web3 platform.

It allows users to:

For example, a crypto card lets you pay as you would with any traditional card: the merchant receives fiat, while the platform deducts the equivalent amount from your crypto balance or adds a reward in digital assets. Payment networks themselves position these products as bridges between traditional finance and Web3. On its website, Mastercard states that its Crypto Card program gives consumers “the ability to pay with crypto” and partners — a new way to engage and retain users.

Advantages and risks

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀:

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀 / 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀:

Real examples in 2025

𝗖𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 — one of the longest-running and most trusted. Supports USDC, BTC, ETH and more. Conversion happens automatically, and users can earn up to 4 % back in crypto while choosing which asset to debit.

𝗡𝗲𝘅𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 — a hybrid credit/debit model. You can spend without selling your crypto — Nexo issues a credit line backed by your holdings. Cashback: up to 2 % in BTC or NEXO, with up to 16 % APY on idle balances.

𝗖𝗿𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗼.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 — a flagship product in the sector. Tiered system with 1–5 % cashback, Spotify/Netflix reimbursements, and lounge access. CRO staking is still required for premium tiers, but adoption remains strong across Asia and Europe.

𝗚𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 — a fully regulated U.S. product offering real-time rewards in 60+ tokens: 3 % on dining, 2 % on groceries, and 1 % on all other purchases.

𝗕𝘆𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 — designed for traders and active users. Supports USDT, BTC, ETH, XRP, and USDC, runs on Visa, and integrates with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Available in the EEA and UK.

𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 (𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗮) — brings self-custody to everyday payments. The card connects directly to your MetaMask wallet; funds stay on-chain until you tap, and conversion happens only at checkout.

𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 — a new-generation product focused on Gen Z and the creator economy. Works across Solana, Base, and Polygon, offering cashback in $BASED and NFT-based loyalty tiers.

𝗞𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 — one of 2025’s most notable launches. KAST integrates Ethereum, Polygon, and Solana networks, offering up to 6 % APR staking on SOL while keeping liquidity for daily spending. According to CoinGecko, KAST stands out for its multi-chain architecture and on-chain yield integration, merging DeFi mechanics with traditional card rails.

Key trends of 2025

1. Stablecoins dominate daily payments Over 70 % of crypto card transactions in 2025 are made with USDC, USDT, or EURC. Stablecoins minimize volatility and simplify conversion — becoming the de facto spending currency.

2. Shift toward self-custody MetaMask and KAST set a new standard: users keep their keys, and conversion occurs only at transaction time. Transparency and control become core selling points.

3. Multi-chain support and yield integration Cards are expanding beyond single-network support, linking DeFi staking and liquidity pools. Spending no longer means losing your yield.

4. Regulatory maturity Visa and Mastercard now run official “Crypto Enablement Programs.” In the U.S., crypto cards operate under standard prepaid or credit regulations, while Europe’s MiCA framework is expected to fully clarify issuance rules by 2026.

5. Global expansion Bybit and Crypto.com are scaling across Asia and Latin America. Local fiat on-ramps and sandbox environments enable faster, compliant rollouts.

6. Gamification and digital identity Reward programs are becoming more playful: NFT tiers, on-chain achievements, and tokenized loyalty systems make payments part of a broader Web3 experience.

Outlook for 2026