There is an increasing number of merchants and shops now accepting Bitcoin as a legitimate form of payment. With this, users are wanting to spend their Bitcoins more frequently.
If you manage to find a merchant that accepts cryptocurrency directly, then great! But if not, then you’re going to want a Bitcoin debit card.
A Bitcoin debit card works just like an ordinary debit card you use to transact money from an ATM. However, instead of drawing money from a bank, the Bitcoin debit card draws crypto from a cryptocurrency wallet. You can top up your card with BTC which is then converted into fiat, which enables you to make purchases.
All Bitcoin cards work differently. Some are linked to your fiat accounts where you can move as much crypto and fiat to and from them as you like. Others hold your Bitcoin and convert it into fiat only at the time of the transaction. Finally, some convert the BTC into fiat as soon as you top it up.
Wirex
Wirex is the world’s only Visa card that lets you convert and spend your Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP like traditional money. Previously known as E-coin, Wirex is an extremely flexible Bitcoin debit card and multi-currency wallet. It offers both virtual and plastic cards, both with their own advantages:
Plastic card:
- Practical for people who travel and live abroad
- Make it possible to withdraw cash from any ATM around the world
- Allows you to make online and offline payments wherever VISA/MasterCard is accepted
- Comes with a pin number
Virtual card:
- Better for people who don’t travel and don’t want to carry anything around
- Unable to withdraw cash from ATMs
- Allows you to make just online payments wherever VISA/MasterCard is accepted
Wirex is a popular debit card which provides 0.5% crypto cashback whenever an in-store purchase is made. The card is accepted anywhere in the world where VISA/MasterCard is supported. It can also default into GBP, EUR, and USD.
Overall, the Wirex Bitcoin debit card is one that is easy to use and navigate and offers a streamlined user experience.
Cryptopay
Cryptopay is one of the largest BTC debit card solutions, managing around 100,000 transactions every month. Founded by a Russian crypto enthusiast team in 2013, Cryptopay has gained over 167,000 active users from around the world.
Their cards are delivered cost-free worldwide within 3-10 days, so they are an easy card to get hold of. As with Wirex, Cryptopay offers both plastic and virtual cards. However, they also offer their users a transparent breakdown of costs and terms.
The card charges $2.50 for all domestic ATM transactions, while international transactions are charged at a price of $3.50. Verified users are able to withdraw up to $2,000 daily via ATMs, whereas unverified users can only withdraw up to $400 a day. Online payments and transactions are unlimited for verified card users, whereas unverified users are restricted to $1,000 a day.
BitPay
BitPay puts a much larger emphasis on the US market, with CEO Steven Pair identifying the huge potential for Bitcoin in the US. It has now become the foremost payment provider in the world.
The card is powered by Visa and is one of the fastest, easiest ways to turn your Bitcoin into dollars. You can use the BitPay card for online shopping at any retailer that accepts Visa. You can also use the card to withdraw cash at any Visa-compatible ATM. However, they do charge a 3% foreign exchange rate.
The downside to BitPay is that it has closed its European operations, making the service restricted to the US only. Another downfall it has against other cards is that you cannot buy Bitcoin in the BitPay mobile app. Instead, you will need to fund your account via a different BTC wallet. However, this doesn’t stop BitPay from being a great service for US residents wanting to spend their Bitcoin.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author should not be considered as financial advice. We do not give advice on financial products.