Best Crypto & Bitcoin Debit Cards in Europe in 2023
Crypto debit cards allow you to spend your cryptocurrency anywhere debit cards are accepted. But which ones are the best for European crypto investors?
Wouldn’t it be nice to bypass your nosey bank and spend directly from your crypto account without them knowing? Earn cashback whenever you buy a pizza or go Christmas shopping during the holidays? Have free access to airport lounges around the world or never pay a foreign transaction fee again? These benefits and more are what you can receive as a holder of a crypto debit card.
As European savers and investors, we’re not quite used to receiving interest on our bank deposits or rewards when using our cards, but the cryptocurrency market is a very different beast. The EU-wide Interchange Fee Regulation, which for better or worse slashed nearly all credit card reward schemes in 2015, has no power in the crypto domain as the bonus system works very differently. With the best crypto debit cards, European cryptocurrency users can access their funds anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted and earn crypto cashback when using their cards.
The crypto platforms that offer cashback cards usually require users to hold a certain amount of the platform’s native token to earn those rewards. Most of them will let you spend fiat from your fiat balance and compensate you in the form of their own token. The second group converts your bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies from your wallet into local currencies at the time of purchase. A third group, like the Nexo card, uses a credit line instead, which gives you fiat and allows you to make purchases without selling your crypto. The latter can be useful if you’re worried about the tax implications of selling your crypto.
Nexo
Bitpanda
Coinbase
Best crypto debit cards in Europe
- Nexo Card – Best credit card, sign-up bonus, zero FX fees
- Bitpanda – European crypto and stock trading platform, cashback card
- Plutus – Best non-custodial card, Crypto.com alternative
- Crypto.com Visa Card – Best for cashback and rewards
- Binance – Largest crypto ecosystem, non-UK only
- Coinbase – Most trusted exchange, limited card benefits
- Trastra – Best for Euro transactions
- Advcash – Best for anonymity
Upcoming cards
While the above crypto cards are already available, several more will be released in the future. You can join the waitlist for the following cards:
- Ledger’s CL Card (the hardware wallet company)
- Unbanked (BlockCard)
- Uphold (multi-asset trading platform)
Details at a glance
Here’s a side-by-side overview of the the crypto cards available in Europe. Note that fees, rewards, and limits can change at any time, so make sure to visit each provider to get the latest numbers.
| Nexo | Bitpanda | Plutus | Wirex | Crypto.com | Binance | Coinbase | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | $100 in BTC | N/A | $10 in PLU | N/A | N/A | 5% Fee Reduction | N/A |
| Stake/subscription requirement | 0-10% of portfolio in NEXO | 0-50,000 BEST tokens | 0-2,000 PLU tokens | €0-29.99 monthly subscription | €350, €3,500, €35,000, or 350,000 in CRO | 0-600 BNB tokens | None |
| Cashback | 0.5% in BTC or 2% in NEXO | 0.5-2% in BTC | 3-8% in PLU | 2% in WXT | 1-5% in CRO | 0.1-8% | N/A |
| Credit/Debit | Credit | Debit | Debit | Debit | Debit | Debit | Debit |
| Card spends/converts from | Collateralised credit line | EUR balance or assets | EUR/GBP balance | EUR/GBP balance | EUR/GBP balance | EUR balance | Crypto balance |
| Perks | Avoids selling crypto | N/A | 3-8 x €10/£10 rebate on various subscriptions and of store/online spending | N/A | 1-5 x reimbursement of various subscriptions | N/A | N/A |
| Availability | EEA, UK | Eurozone | EU (except Estonia), UK, various French/Dutch territories | EU, UK | EEA, UK, Switzerland | EU | EU, UK |
| Physical card issuance fee | €0 | €0 | €9.99, £0 | Mastercard rates | €4.99-0 | €0 | €/£4.95 |
| FX Fee | No FX fees for up to €3,000-20,000 per month | 2.5-0.25% | Visa rates | €30,000 | No FX fees for up to €2,000-unlimited per month | Visa rates | Unclear |
| Daily transaction limit | €10,000 | €10,000 | €/£2,500-7,500 | Yes | Unclear | €8,700/500 | €/£10,000 |
| Apple/Google Pay | Yes | Yes | Google Pay | Yes | Yes | Google Pay | Yes |
| Works with Curve | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtual Card | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Best crypto cards in Europe compared
Here’s a more in-depth comparison of the products and services of the different crypto debit cards that are available in the EU and EEA. They are based on their fees, limits, geographical availability, and transparency of their company.
Crypto.com Visa Card
Crypto.com is the largest cryptocurrency card provider in Europe with its seven different debit cards. Crypto.com supports spending of 100+ crypto and fiat currencies anywhere Visa cards are accepted. Plus, the Crypto.com cashback on spending program is second to none.
Details: Crypto.com’s cards are divided into 5 tiers in different colors, each with its own staking requirement and rewards. The cost of each card varies, but it can range from €0 to €350,000. The lowest tier is free and offers 1% back on every purchase. To acquire one of the Crypto.com metal cards, which bringer more benefits, customers must stake a quantity of the firm’s native CRO tokens (formerly MCO).
Cashback: 1-8%. Crypto.com’s $400 Ruby Steel card offers 2% back on every purchase, a 100% rebate on a yearly Spotify subscription, and free ATM withdrawals up to $400 per month. Crypto.com’s other cards provide 3% to 8% cashback, discounts on additional streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, and Airbnb, free foreign currency transactions, free airport lounge access, and other perks.
Welcome bonus: None.
Fees: Crypto.com Visa Card fees and limits depend vary by card tier; for all tiers, there is no monthly fee, no issuance fee, no SEPA deposit fees, no EUR spending fee; free interbank exchange rates from €2,000 to €15,000 per month (0.5% thereafter; no limit for highest tier); 0.036%-0.4% taker/maker fee on crypto trades on the Crypto.com Exchange
Crypto savings accounts: Yes
Bitpanda Card
Bitpanda is an Austrian digital broker that was founded in 2014. The firm’s goal is to make it easier for Europeans to acquire cryptocurrencies and other digital assets by allowing them to buy using SEPA bank transfers and card deposits. Bitpanda has a broad range of assets available, including cryptocurrencies, gold, silver, synthetic stocks, fractional shares, ETFs. It also offers a dollar-cost-averaging product that lets you invest a predetermined amount of fiat into your preferred cryptocurrency every month.
Details: The Bitpanda Visa Card is only available for residents in the eurozone area, so it’s not available throughout the entire EU. To obtain the card, you must download the Bitpanda app or open an account on their website. Select “Card” from the drop-down menu in your account after that and follow the on-screen directions. Bitpanda support Euro (EUR), Swiss Franc (CHF), British Pound Sterling (GBP), or Turkish Lira (TRY), but you can also spend directly from the assets held in your account (crypto, stocks, metals). Your card is connected to your selected payment asset at all times, which is used to fund your card payments.
Cashback: Up to 0.5-2% back in BTC on purchases depending on “VIP” level. VIP levels bring additional benefits such as lowered trading fees and rewards. Cashback is available for purchases made using crypto and metals.
Welcome bonus: No. However, you can invite friends and earn €10 for you and €10 for every friend you invite.
Fees: The Bitpanda Card has no monthly/yearly withdrawal, spending, or issuance fees; EUR transactions are free of charge; ATM withdrawals and non-EUR transactions are subject to varying costs depending on your BEST VIP level; around 1.49% spread on crypto trades.
Crypto savings accounts: No
Wirex Card
The Wirex debit card is easily one of the most appealing cards for benefits, although it has a mixed reputation among its prior and current clients. As can be found on their website, “it’s the payment card that makes crypto and traditional currencies equal. Realtime point-of-sale conversion, zero exchange fees, and up to 2% cryptocurrency rewards on all spending.”
Details: The Wirex Card is a multi-currency Mastercard debit card that supports 9 fiat currencies (EUR, GBP, CAD, CZK, HUF, PLN, RON, HRK, USD) and 19 cryptocurrencies, giving users the flexibility to travel to a broader scope of locales without having to worry about whether or not they can access their funds. You can spend fiat currencies with real-time conversion at point-of-sale and zero exchange fees.
Cashback: 1.5% back in WXT (Wirex Token) on all spending. The Wirex rewards used to be paid in BTC, but they were switched to the platform’s native WXT token, which has not seen much price movement. Customers with a paid membership may earn 4-12% each year on their WXT balance.
Welcome bonus: For a limited time, the Wirex Card is giving new members a free €15 in WXT for joining. If you refer a friend, you and your friend will be given $10 in WXT.
Fees: Wirex does not charge monthly/yearly withdrawal, issuance, or replacement fees. At the time of writing, Wirex does not support SEPA deposits, but card top-ups are free-of-charge. There are no foreign currency exchange fees as real-time Mastercard rates are used.
Crypto savings accounts: Yes
Nuri
Formerly known as Bitwala, this Berlin-based fintech company has rebranded its name to Nuri. Nuri is one of the first banking services that enabled European citizens to combine cryptocurrencies with a bank account. It’s a fully licensed German bank account with a €100,000 Euro deposit guarantee. The Nuri debit card is free to order and allows users to pay with Bitcoin and Ethereum wherever Visa is accepted. Nuri also offers Bitcoin savings accounts with up to 5% interest per year.
Details: Like many crypto debit cards, the Nuri card is issued in both physical and virtual form, making it simple to engage in both physical and online transactions. However, the Nuri card is most well known for its lack of ATM, monthly, and withdrawal fees. Keep in mind that third-party ATM withdrawal fees may still apply, though this affects all cardholders, whether funds are connected to a crypto wallet or a bank account. If you own a Nuri account, you can purchase Ethereum and Bitcoin. All funds within your Nuri account will be converted to Euros which can be used for purchasing with your Nuri crypto debit card.
Cashback: No
Welcome bonus: €50 bonus after you make one SEPA transfer per month with a transaction value of a minimum of €50 for 3 consecutive months and use your free Visa debit card at least once. Invite your friends for an additional €30 bonus per friend.
Fees: Nuri has overall low fees and high limits; no monthly, withdrawal, spending, or issuance fees; no fiat transaction fees; no ATM withdrawal fees; no foreign currency transactions fees within the SEPA area; 1% spread per crypto trade.
Crypto savings accounts: Yes
Binance Card
Binance is the world’s largest Bitcoin and altcoin crypto exchange by volume. The Binance Visa card enables users to convert and spend their favorite cryptocurrencies at more than 60 million merchants around the globe. With its 8% cashback and lack of processing fees, this card is an excellent choice for anyone interested in maximizing their cashback incentives.
Details: Binance allows you to hold your crypto and fiat in your Binance card wallet and exchange on demand when making payments. You can spend directly from your EUR balance if you want to avoid converting crypto. You get 0.1-8% cashback for every purchase you make with the card. The percentage you receive back is determined by your card level, based on the amount of BNB held in your wallet. The cashback payments are made in the BNB native currency, which has appreciated more than 2,000% over the past year.
Cashback: 0.1-8%. Similar to the Crypto.com Visa Card, the Binance Card has 7 different levels. Each level has a percentage reward. The lowest level does not require any BNB holdings and gives 0.1% back; the second level requires 1 BNB and gives 2%; level 3 is 10 BNB and offers 3% back; the highest tier requires a whopping 600 BNB balance but gives 8% back on all purchases.
Welcome bonus: 5% lifetime fee discount on all your trades. Invite friends and earn rewards from their trades.
Fees: Binance’s card fees and limits are a mixed bag. There are no monthly, issuance, or processing fees. There is up to a 0.9% transaction fee for transactions and ATM withdrawals. The physical card’s daily spending limit is €8,700; thus, you can’t make any large purchases with it.
Crypto savings accounts: Yes
Coinbase Card
If you’re familiar with the world of cryptocurrency, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Coinbase. Its popularity has grown since its inception in 2012 and is now considered best-in-class among the most popular digital currency exchanges globally. Coinbase offers a full suite of crypto products, including a self-hosted wallet, insurance fund, business solutions, and the low-fee Coinbase Pro trading platform. The reason why the Coinbase Card ranks so low in this list is the lack of incentives and high fees.
Details: Dubbed the Coinbase card, this Visa card allows you to spend crypto on-demand and earn crypto with each purchase. You must have a Coinbase account to use your Coinbase card. Your card will support up to nine cryptocurrencies. In addition, it will automatically convert your crypto of choice on demand, eliminating the need to maintain a balance of fiat currency in your Coinbase account. The Coinbase Card is a VISA card that can be used at any place that accepts VISA.
Availability: The Coinbase Card is available for customers in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
Welcome bonus: No
Cashback: No
Fees: While popular, the Coinbase Card doesn’t shy away when it comes to fees. There is an issuance fee of £4.95, a cryptocurrency exchange fee of 2.49%, in addition to further transaction fees when used outside the EEA. There is also a 0.2% transaction fee for every POS transaction, which makes it less attractive.
Crypto savings accounts: No
Other crypto cards
Here are a few less-known companies that are attempting to establish themselves on the market in addition to more established crypto card providers reviewed above: Trastra, Crypterium, Cryptopay, and Advcash.
Trastra
Although it’s one of the less-known players in the field, Trastra offers something many other crypto companies’ cards don’t: a crypto debit card with a personal IBAN for euro transactions. You can fund your accounts via SEPA and deposit them into your unique Trastra Euro account with its own IBAN and BIC. This makes it viable as a fiat on/off bridge to exchanges if your bank has issues with cryptocurrency-related transactions. However, because of the substantial markups that can reach 5% per trade, it’s not suggested that you exchange cryptocurrencies through the Trastra app.
Details: The TRASTRA crypto debit card is a VISA card with its own IBAN. It is available in 31 countries in Europe, including the UK, and is generally taken wherever Visa is accepted. You must first download the Trastra app or register on their website and complete KYC to order a card. You can spend crypto or fiat held in your account, and it will be converted to euros.
Cashback: No
Welcome bonus: No, but you can earn €5 for every friend you invite to Trastra (up to €20 for approved users), plus 0.2% commission on every crypto-to-cash transaction they make.
Fees: Trastra Card charges a €15.00 yearly fee, €9.00 card issuance fee, plus other various fees. EUR purchases with the card are fee-free, while non-euro card transactions involve a 3% fee. Exchanging crypto to EUR is marked as “Free” on Trastra’s website, but an unknown spread is involved.
Crypto savings accounts: No
Crypterium
Crypterium is comparable to Crypto.com in that it aims to mix the realms of fiat and crypto into a unified platform. It’s one of the few crypto companies registered with the UK’s FCA, meaning it’s whitelisted and has passed the UK’s much-stricter crypto regulations. The Crypterium ecosystem evolves around the CRPT token, a utility token intended for usage in any B2B/B2C products with various mechanics used as a fee payment solution in the Crypterium ecosystem. You can earn interest and unlock special privileges by investing in CRPT. However, the token itself has a low market capitalization and has not seen much price movement in the past year.
Details: The Crypterium Visa Card is a debit card that can be used by all holders of the CRPT token. You can use the card anywhere in the world where VISA is accepted. You can use it for cash withdrawals at ATMs, prepaid purchases, and transfers to other CRPT holders worldwide. There are other attractive elements about the crypto card, but it isn’t as alluring as others on our list. However, EU and UK users get a personal IBAN in their name to transact in euros or pounds. Additionally, you can get your Crypterium virtual card in as little as 20 minutes, a feature that will likely be favored by individuals who appreciate fast service.
Cashback: No
Welcome bonus: $5 in CRPT after the first transaction
Fees: Crypterium’s fees are high; the card itself costs €2.99 to €5.98 per month. Moreover, there’s a card funding fee of 2%, a €0.25 fee per transaction, a foreign currency exchange fee of 2.5%.
Cryptopay
The Cryptopay card, available in the UK and Europe, offers access to the cryptocurrency world, much like its competitors. They take pride in the level of customer service they provide to their customers. To date, they claim to have issued 143,137 prepaid cards, have 1,381,870 users, and processed 78,445 transactions per month.
Details: Like every card on this list, the Cryptopay debit card offers both physical and virtual card options. However, unlike most of their competitors, Cryptopay charges a card issuance fee of £15.00, €15.00, and $15.00. The Cryptopay card is currently offered in the British Pound and the European Euro and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. In addition, if you open a savings account in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin, you can earn up to 10% on your crypto investment. Unfortunately, this service is not yet available, and you must join a waiting list on the Cryptopay website to sign up.
Cashback: No
Welcome bonus: 25% discount when you purchase a Cryptopay card
Fees: The fees are relatively hefty. They include: Flat 1% transaction fee, 1% loading/unloading fee, 1 pound/euro monthly management fee, domestic ATM fee 2.5 pounds/Euro, international ATM fee 3.5 pounds/euro, foreign exchange fee 3%, £15.00/ €15.00/ $15.00 issuance fee.
Crypto savings accounts: Yes
Advcash Card
Advcash is an offshore bitcoin debit card service based in Belize that offers more privacy than other services. If you’re looking for a card that lets you get your crypto on and keeps your information hidden, then Advcash is worth looking into. You must still complete KYC to access fiat transactions, so your participation will not be entirely anonymous. Looking at data from Similarweb, Advcash is growing popular in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, and the Netherlands.
It’s important to know that the creators of Advcash are unknown, and using their services is not advised unless it’s a last resort. In most cases, a US/EU-regulated product compliant with all of your local regulations is the way to go. However, Binance and Advcash have been partners for a long time, and the Advcash Card is a Mastercard, so their services can be considered somewhat legitimate.
Details: Advcash offers 3 different debit cards that support different regions, including Europe and Turkey. You can use your Advcash to receive fiat or crypto from exchanges and spend it with the Advcash Card worldwide. SEPA and SWIFT transfers are supported, as well as card deposits and withdrawals.
Cashback: No
Welcome bonus: No
Fees: Low fees are claimed by Advcash, but several transaction expenses aren’t made transparent. However, the actual rates in these transactions are still reasonable.
Crypto savings accounts: Yes
Features comparison
Features should be at the top of anyone’s radar when searching for the right crypto debit card. It doesn’t matter the company you decide to go with; the features a crypto card brings to the table can make or break anyone’s decision.
When making this list, we focused on each card’s features and the value they bring to the user. Now, let’s compare the top features of each card.
| Card | Standout features |
|---|---|
| Nuri | Access funds through a bank account with standard mobile banking features |
| Coinbase Card | Excellent customer service and a strong reputation |
| Wirex | Offers cashback rewards directly in Bitcoin |
| Binance Card | Up to 8% cashback on all eligible purchases |
| Trastra | World-class security to protect users from malicious actors |
| Cryptopay | Saving accounts can earn up to 10% interest on crypto, paid out daily (must join a waiting list as of the time of this writing) |
| Crypterium | Earn up to 21% on stored CRT tokens |
Fee comparison
Another essential factor you should take into consideration when choosing the right card is fees. If you’re familiar with credit cards, you may understand that hidden costs can eat you alive if you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.
Crypto debit cards are no different. It’s essential to read the small print before signing up for a card, no matter how good the terms may seem on the surface.
We understand that for many people, copious fees can be a deal-breaker. As you may have noticed with the choices on our list, some cards come with quite a few fees while others have zero fees altogether. Let’s take a closer look at the fees for each selection.
| Card | Fees |
|---|---|
| Nuri | No fees |
| Coinbase Card | An issuance fee of £4.95, a cryptocurrency exchange fee of 2.49%, additional transaction fees outside of the UK |
| Wirex | 1% fee if you wish to fund your account with cryptocurrency |
| Binance Card | No fees |
| Trastra | No fees |
| Cryptopay | Flat 1% transaction fee 1% loading/unloading fee 1 Pound/Euro monthly management fee Domestic ATM fee 2.5 pounds/Euro International ATM fee 3.5 pounds/Euro Foreign exchange fee 3% |
| Crypterium | No fees |
How crypto cards work
Have you ever attempted to purchase goods with cryptocurrency? In most cases, you must use a vendor that accepts crypto as a valid form of payment, and as you may know, options are sparse at the moment.
Realistically, you probably would have to sell your crypto and wait for the funds to hit your bank account and then make your purchase. That’s time and money flushed down the toilet.
Crypto debit cards eliminate the time and hassle it typically takes to convert your crypto to fiat currency. No matter what card you decide to use, your crypto card converts the assets in your digital wallet to fiat on the fly, allowing you to make purchases just like you would with a standard debit card drawing from a bank account.
Top up your card with funds from your crypto wallet of choice, and your card is ready to be used. And like the vast majority of debit cards, most crypto cards are accepted by every vendor who accepts Visa and Mastercard.
Who should consider a crypto debit card?
There’s a reason many vendors don’t accept cryptocurrency. Not only do they have to worry about exchange rates, but many don’t understand the intricacies of blockchain technology. For this reason, amongst others, crypto as a whole is often seen as intimidating. If you or someone you know invests heavily in crypto, your purchasing power is severely limited as a result.
Crypto debit cards bring clarity to an overall confusing technology and give confidence to vendors small and large. Debit cards are familiar and trustworthy. Furthermore, they provide instant access to funds.
All individuals who have significant investments in crypto would benefit from a crypto card. They can draw from their account when they need to and let the rest of their investment sit and continue to grow over time.
How to find the right crypto debit card for you
This is a question only you can answer. Choosing a crypto card is much akin to choosing a credit card. Consider what benefits you can get back, the fees associated with using the card, and the security and support provided by the company backing the card.
Consider also that a card that’s highly effective in Europe, for example, may not serve you well if you travel to the United States should the card not offer the option to convert your crypto to USD.
Consider what benefits are best for you and your situation/preferences, and you’ll have a baseline of what to look for when searching for the right crypto debit card for you.
How the best debit cards were picked
We searched high and low for crypto debit cards to review. We wanted to find cards that would provide the most incentives overall. Customer service and support were among the most prominent factors we considered when searching for cards to add to our list. For example, how simple would it be to cancel a stolen card?
We also considered ease of use. We wanted a card that was streamlined and simple to use. Perks were another significant factor we wanted to take into consideration. As a consumer, you should always enjoy the biggest bang for your buck. That’s why we tried to enter a few cards that didn’t gobble up all of your money through fees but gave something back in the form of cashback rewards.
Frequently asked questions
Final thoughts
Whether we like it or not, cryptocurrency is here to stay. While the above may be what we consider the top crypto debit cards in Europe, there are still many cards out there to choose from. So do your research and figure out precisely what you’re searching for in a crypto debit card.
Consider the factors that mean the most to you, whether it be security, cashback incentives, ease of use, or a combination of features. Every card has its pros and cons and will appeal to different people for different reasons.
The demand for cryptocurrency will only continue to rise. The need to conveniently access digital assets may soon become more of a necessity as an increasing number of people warm up to the idea of using cryptocurrency.
No one knows what the future will hold. Perhaps one day, there will be mainstream adoption of cryptocurrencies, and should that day come, crypto debit cards will almost certainly be a common sight.
