365Crypto
Crypto Spending Goes Mainstream
Mastercard and MetaMask have launched a crypto spending card across the United States. For the first time, users in New York can access it. Only Vermont is excluded.
The card connects directly to a user’s self-custodial wallet. That means no preloading funds to an exchange account before spending. Your crypto stays in your wallet until you tap to pay.
How the Card Works
The MetaMask Card runs on Mastercard’s global network. It works at around 150 million merchants worldwide. Online checkouts and in-store payments are both supported. It also connects with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The card is issued by Cross River Bank, an FDIC-insured US bank. It was built with regulated issuer Monavate. This structure blends crypto tools with traditional banking rails. Old finance meets new code.
Virtual by Default, Metal if You Want
The standard MetaMask Card is virtual. Users can add it to mobile wallets and start spending.
There is also a Metal version. It costs $199 per year. It offers 3% cashback on the first $10,000 spent each year. It also removes foreign transaction fees and increases ATM limits.
Mastercard’s Bigger Crypto Push
This move expands Mastercard’s crypto partnerships. The company has been working with stablecoin issuer Circle and others to bring tokenized money into payment networks.
MetaMask says users keep full control of their assets until the moment of purchase. Self-custody remains the core feature. Spend your crypto. Keep your keys. Not a bad combo.
Footnotes:
Self-custody: Holding your own private keys instead of relying on a third party.
FDIC: US agency that insures bank deposits up to certain limits.
Stablecoin: A cryptocurrency pegged to a stable asset like the US dollar.
