Bitcoin debit cards - this is something without which it would be impossible to spread cryptocurrency. We talk about the best debit cards, their advantages, disadvantages and fees.
1. Wagecan
Wagecan is a MasterCard debit card issued by Transforex. This is one of the most popular Bitcoin debit cards among digital nomads and independent freelancers, since its foreign currency conversion fee is 1,5%, while for most other cards it is 3%.
In addition, Wagecan has a slightly lower fee for cash withdrawals at an ATM than other Bitcoin debit cards - 1%. Most BTC cards currently on the market charge a fixed fee for withdrawing from $ 2,5 to $ 3,5, so a Wagecan one-percent commission is usually cheaper.
Wagecan was created in 2014 in Taiwan, and there are both mobile and web wallets synchronized with this debit card. A curious feature of Wagecan cards is that each wallet has a wallet address printed on it, which makes it easy to deposit bitcoins into your account and instantly convert them to fiat currency.
Wagecan operates in many countries and offers various bonuses when shopping. Like many other cards popular among travelers, Wagecan can be used in 30 with more than millions of ATMs around the world for withdrawing over 210 of various currencies.
2. Wirex
Wirex (formerly known as E-coin) is one of the most functional bitcoin debit cards, as well as a multi-currency wallet. The Wirex card can be both virtual and plastic, and with it you can pay with Bitcoins for purchases in stores and the Internet, as well as withdraw money from ATMs around the world.
There are two types of Wirex card - virtual Visa and plastic MasterCard with PIN-code and chip. For both cards, GBP, EUR or USD can be used as a base currency, and they can be used wherever Visa or MasterCard is accepted. Both for the virtual and for the Wirex plastic card, all purchases (both online and offline) are made without commission.
When withdrawing cash from an ATM, a fixed fee is charged. ATM services in your home country will cost you $ 2,5, and abroad you will have to pay $ 3,5. All Wirex cards have a monthly maintenance fee of $ 1, but a one-time $ 17 commission is charged for issuing a plastic card. Wirex plastic cards are sent by mail to 130 in different countries, and their delivery usually takes about two months.
For Wirex users, there are apps on both iOS and Android that provide two-factor authentication. The conversion between bitcoin and fiat currency is carried out through the application, with which you can also replenish the balance by transferring money from another payment system, for example, PayPal.
In general, Wirex is a simple, easy-to-use and functional debit card. Its only drawback is that for verification you need to submit several documents confirming your identity and place of residence, and this process will take up to 10 working days.
3. Cryptopay
Cryptopay is one of the most honest and open Bitcoin debit cards. Cryptopay was founded by a Russian company of developers in 2013 year, over 167 has been used by thousands of active users from all over the world, and all over 37 has been issued thousands of cards. Cryptopay is one of the largest platforms working with bitcoin debit cards, on which about 100 thousand transactions are made monthly.
Like other Bitcoin debit cards from this list, Cryptopay exists in plastic and virtual versions, but unlike many other platforms, Cryptopay absolutely openly informs its customers about all commissions and conditions of using cards. One of the main advantages of the Cryptopay platform is that they provide their services to unverified users, although there are certain limitations for such accounts.
The Cryptopay plastic card belongs to the Visa system and is accepted wherever Visa is supported. The base currency of these plastic cards can be EUR, GBP, or USD, and the price of each of them is € 15. Delivery of Cryptopay cards by mail worldwide is free of charge, but for express delivery you will have to pay additionally € 70.
For cash withdrawals at an ATM in your home country, a $ 2,5 commission is charged, and ATM services abroad will cost $ 3,5. Verified users of Cryptopay can make unlimited online transactions, but for unverified users there is a $ 1000 restriction. On the day, unverified users can shoot at the ATM no more than $ 400, but only $ 1000. Verified users can withdraw up to $ 2000 per day, and the total cash withdrawal amount is unlimited. The commission for a transaction in foreign currency is 3%, and another 1% is taken for converting funds from Bitcoin to Fiat and back.
Despite the fact that Cryptopay commissions are slightly higher than the market average, this platform, like no other, is honest with its users and their cards are delivered free of charge all over the world.
4 Coinbase
Shift Card Shift Card is tied directly to the system Coinbaseand this card is currently only available to US citizens. The Coinbase Shift Card is Visa and is accepted by 99% of stores worldwide. Using this card is very simple - the Shift Card is tied to the Coinbase wallet, and upon payment, the required amount is debited from the bitcoin account and converted into dollars at the current exchange rate.
Compared to other debit cards, the Shift Card has its advantages. There is neither a monthly commission, nor a commission for acquiring; Cash withdrawal in your home country will cost you $ 2,5, and abroad you will have to pay $ 3,5, which is standard for the sector of bitcoin debit cards.
The price for the release of the Shift Card is only $ 10, but this card has more restrictions than others like it. You can spend no more than $ 1000 per day, and the daily cash withdrawal limit at an ATM is only $ 200.
5. Bitwala Visa
The Bitwala platform claims to make the fastest overseas bank payments and offers Bitcoin users the best prepaid card in the world. Being a multi-functional debit card, Bitwala Visa works with 20 in various fiat currency and 40 cryptocurrency. According to company representatives, over 15 thousand users from 120 countries already use Bitwala services.
Bitwala cards exist in virtual and plastic versions and are compatible with various currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, KRW, VND, AUD and some South American currencies. By partnering with ShapeShift, Bitwala allows you to replenish the balance with various altcoins, for example, lightcoin, Monero, Zcash and Dogecoin.
There are three registration options on the Bitwala platform: in each case, their own monthly limits and restrictions on withdrawals and replenishment of funds are offered. An unverified user of the 1 level receives a very limited set of services; verified users of the 2 level can make unlimited purchases and cash withdrawals at ATMs. To get the 3 level, you need to pass an interview via Skype, after which your monthly limit will be an impressive 50 thousand euros. Both plastic and virtual Bitwala cards cost € 2, and the monthly maintenance fee is € 1.
Fees for cash withdrawals at ATMs on Bitwala Visa card are slightly different from other options. ATM services in your home country will cost you € 2,25, and abroad - € 2,75, the conversion fee is 3%. Unlike other Bitcoin cards, Bitwala has an absolutely transparent exchange rate, bitcoins are exchanged at the market rate without any extra charge.
6. Xapo
If Bitwala Visa became the first publicly available Bitcoin debit card, then Xapo is the first platform that tied the card directly to its Bitcoin wallets service. However, when the Xapo card was just born, not everything went smoothly: many users received cards without marking, often they were delivered to the wrong address, etc.
The Xapo team coped with these difficulties and took an important place in the market for Bitcoin debit cards. Like many other cards from this list, Xapo allows users to convert their bitcoins to fiat currency anywhere; its merits include exemption from service fees for a period of one year.
The conditions for using the Xapo card are quite standard: 3-percent commission for operations in foreign currency and € 2,25 / 2,75 for withdrawing cash from an ATM at home and abroad. The Xapo card requires verification, and the daily withdrawal limit at an ATM is € 1000.
7. Bitpay
A BitPay Card is a Bitcoin debit card with no hidden payments, with which you can enjoy all the benefits of a debit card without paying extra.
Bitpay refers to the Visa system, offering almost the same terms of use as Xapo. Conversion fee is 3%.