2026 Crypto Card Survival Guide: From S-Tier Gems to 'Look but Don't Touch'

There are many Crypto Card reviews online, but they often mix in options that are unavailable in many regions (like Revolut, MetaMask Card).

In this article, I tested over 10 cards, focusing only on options actually available to users in Asia and beyond. I've ranked them into S / A / B / C tiers based on "Cashback Rate," "FX Fees," and "ATM Convenience."

🏆 S Tier: Highly Recommended (Top Overall Rating)

Cards in this tier have achieved excellence in a specific area and are staples in our wallets.

1. Ready Card (Metal)

👑 The King of Travel & Off-Ramp Ready Card offers the strongest overall experience, especially for frequent travelers or those needing local currency withdrawals.

3% $STRK Cashback: Enjoy 3% cashback on the first $5,000 USD spent every month (not just the first month; cap $150/mo).
Reward Liquidity: Rewards are distributed in $STRK (not a stablecoin), but with high market liquidity, you can choose to "sell on receipt" for stablecoins.
Near-Zero Additional FX Spread: Not just convenient, but real money saved. Compared to the 1-2% spread on other cards, this can save significant costs on large international purchases.
Free ATM Withdrawals: Metal tier enjoys $800/month fee-free withdrawal limit. Tested free at Yuanta and Bank of Taiwan ATMs.
BTC Collateral Spending: Collateralize BTC to borrow USDC for spending, gaining liquidity without selling. Warning: This is a lending activity; if BTC prices drop significantly, it may trigger margin calls or liquidation risks.

Verdict: Both Lite and Metal versions offer excellent exchange rates and zero-fee ATM withdrawals (note the staking threshold and $150/month cap for 3% cashback). If you have off-ramp needs, this is a top-tier choice.

2. Ether.fi Cash

👑 DeFi Player's Choice If you are an ETH Holder, this card offers the ultimate "integrated" borrow-to-spend experience. While users can manually borrow on Aave and move funds out, Ether.fi automates the entire process.

Borrow Mode: Spend by collateralizing eETH (Spend without Selling).
Tax Advantage: Since it's a loan, it doesn't trigger capital gains tax from selling crypto (subject to local regulations).
3% Cashback: Distributed in $SCR or points. While market liquidity is currently high, be aware that interest paid on loans or token rewards may be treated as taxable income in certain jurisdictions (check local tax laws).

3. Kast Card

🚀 The Reward King (Season 5 Peak) Kast is a strong contender for users willing to participate in campaigns for ultra-high returns.

Potential Up to 9% Rewards: In the current Season 5 event, Premium cards can earn spending points (~2-8% est. value) plus an extra 4% in $MOVE.
Risk Warning: Rewards depend on token price and event rules. $MOVE is a highly volatile DeFi token. Actual fiat value may differ significantly from advertised rates during market swings. While currently liquid, "sell on receipt" must account for transaction fees and slippage.$MOVE; while volatile, the high market liquidity supports a "sell on receipt" strategy.

🥈 A Tier: Strong Contenders (Niche Use)

1. PAYY

👑 Niche Privacy & Point Farming PAYY offers rare privacy, suitable for niche users with extreme privacy needs or those looking to farm points through spending.

Zero-Knowledge: Uses UTXO and ZK technology for on-chain transaction privacy, severing the link between your wallet and identity.
Identity Verification: Note that ZK technology only covers on-chain privacy. KYC is still required at the regulatory and card issuer level to comply with global standards.

2. Bybit Card

🏢 Bybit User's Choice The most brain-dead simple and convenient option.

Flexible Liquidity: Directly deducts from the exchange Funding Account—no transfer to on-chain wallets needed.
Earn Account: Idle funds can be placed in Earn accounts to gain up to 8% APR. Note: These are exchange products subject to market volatility, platform risk, and lock-up rules; they are not principal-guaranteed.

🥉 B Tier: Mediocre but Usable

1. Crypto.com (CDC Card)

🦕 The Old King The classic metal card everyone knows, once the king.

Pros: Premium metal card feel, Airport Lounge access (higher tiers).
Cons: The 2025 "Level Up" program made rules extremely complex, and cashback is tied to CRO staking tiers. The value proposition isn't what it used to be.

2. Bitget Wallet Card

👜 Wallet-Native Experience A Visa card from Bitget Wallet, focusing on the convenience of spending directly from the wallet.

Pros: Widely available, no annual fee, supports USDC/USDT top-up.
Cons: Charges a 0.9% transaction fee, and cashback is mostly event-based (unstable). Compared to Ready's 0% fee + stable rewards, it's less competitive.

⛔ C Tier: Lower Value (Backup Only)

1. RedotPay

💸 High-Fee Backup Widely available, but too expensive. Unrecommended unless you are rejected by everything else.

Expensive: Physical card costs $100 USD.
High Fees: 1.2% FX Fee + 1% Transaction Fee.
No Cashback: Basic spending has no cashback. Although there are occasional coupons, it's unstable.

⚠️ Special Mention: Look but Don't Touch (Regional Restrictions)

Many English reviews hype these cards, but availability depends strictly on your country/region of residence. Avoid common traps:

Revolut: Subject to strict regional limits. It cannot be applied for or used in many parts of the world (including most of Asia).
MetaMask Card: Currently in pilot phase with virtual card support in limited regions; not yet widely available.
Gnosis Pay: Serves some regions like Europe but is not universally available.

Reminder: Card availability can change rapidly based on regional regulations and KYC policies. Always check official announcements or join community channels to confirm current status before applying.

Conclusion: How to Choose?

Need	Recommended	Key Reason
Travel/Off-Ramp	Ready (S)	0% FX + Free ATM. Unbeatable utility.
HODLing	Ether.fi (S)	The only card to keep ETH exposure.
High Yield	Kast (S)	Season rewards stack up to ~9%. For active players.
Lazy/CEX	Bybit (A)	Swipe directly from exchange. Zero hassle.
Privacy/Points	PAYY (A)	Best for niche privacy needs or point farming.
Wallet Native	Bitget (B)	High integration, but 0.9% fee applies.

⸻

💳 Basic Concepts

What is a Stablecoin Crypto Card?

A stablecoin crypto card is a payment card (usually on the Visa or Mastercard network) that allows you to use stablecoins (such as USDT, USDC) for in-store or online purchases. It automatically converts them into local fiat currency at the point of sale, functioning much like a standard debit or prepaid card.

How does it differ from a general crypto card?

Traditional crypto cards primarily use volatile assets like BTC or ETH. Stablecoin cards use digital currencies with relatively stable value (usually pegged to a fiat currency like USD), reducing the impact of market fluctuations.

❓ FAQ

✅ 1. Can I use stablecoins to swipe my card directly in stores?

Yes. Once you top up your card with stablecoins, the system will automatically convert them into local fiat during a transaction, just like a traditional card.

✅ 2. Which stablecoins are supported?

Most stablecoin cards support major assets like:

USDT (Tether)
USDC (USD Coin) Support varies by provider; some may only support a specific stablecoin.

✅ 3. Where can I use a stablecoin card?

Global online or physical merchants that accept Visa / Mastercard.
Some cards support ATM withdrawals (depending on card policy).
Can be linked to payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay (if supported).

✅ 4. How does topping up work?

First, you transfer stablecoins (e.g., USDT/USDC) into the card service wallet or platform. The system then performs a real-time conversion to fiat to settle your transaction at the moment of payment.

❓ 5. What fees should I be aware of?

Fee structures vary significantly between providers, but common fees include:

Top-up fees
Currency exchange fees or spreads
Withdrawal fees (if ATM withdrawal is supported)
Issuance / Annual fees (some cards) Always check the issuer's "Fee Schedule." For example, cards like imToken Card (issued by Fiat24) may have no annual fee but might charge a 1% top-up fee or have implicit exchange rate costs.

❓ 6. Do stablecoin cards charge foreign transaction fees?

This depends on the card's policy. Some cards may not charge an extra foreign exchange fee but will use the standard Mastercard/Visa rate (which includes a spread). Consult the official FAQ of the card you are applying for.

❓ 7. Are there rewards (like cashback)?

Some crypto cards offer cashback in tokens or stablecoins. This is a feature of specific cards and not universal to all stablecoin cards.

❓ 8. Does the card trigger tax events?

In some jurisdictions, converting stablecoins to fiat for consumption may be considered a taxable event. Please consult local laws and tax regulations.

📌 Risks to Consider Before Use

⚠️ Stablecoin & Platform Risks

Even if labeled "stable," de-pegging is possible; both USDT and USDC have seen brief historical de-pegs. Furthermore, platform bankruptcy or liquidity crises at card providers could prevent immediate asset access.

⚠️ Regulation & Compliance

Global regulation of stablecoins and borrow-to-spend cards is evolving. Interest paid or token rewards earned (e.g., via Ready or Ether.fi) may be considered taxable income in certain regions; users are responsible for their own tax reporting.

⚠️ Card Availability

Not all stablecoin cards are supported in every region. Some cards may not yet be open to residents of certain countries.

🛠 How to Choose a Stablecoin Card (Quick Guide)

Supported Assets: Confirm it supports the stablecoins you hold (e.g., USDT / USDC).
Fee Structure: Pay attention to various fees (top-up, exchange, withdrawal, maintenance).
Region and Scenarios: Ensure it supports your country of residence and fits your typical spending habits.
Self-Custody (Non-custodial): Some cards allow you to hold your own wallet keys rather than keeping assets on a centralized platform.

🤝 Affiliate Disclosure

This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up through these links, I may earn a commission, and you may also receive extra benefits. Here are the specific rewards:

Platform	What I Earn	What You Earn
Kast	200 pts (Basic $100+ spend) 5000 pts (Paid card purchase)	200 pts (KYC + $100 spend) Paid card 20% OFF (Auto-applied)
Ready	$15 (When you spend $50)	$15 (When you spend $50)
PAYY	10,000 pts / referral	-
Bybit	$20	$10 (Spend $100 within 30 days)

2026 is the Warring States period for Crypto Cards. Choosing the card that fits your spending habits is the key to turning crypto assets into real-world purchasing power!