On February 27, news reports that MetaMask and Mastercard officially launched the MetaMask Card in the United States, covering 49 states, including New York, which was previously not included. The card allows users to spend cryptocurrencies directly from their self-custody wallets without needing to pre-fund a custodial account, marking a further step in the real-world adoption of “crypto wallet direct payments.”
According to reports, the MetaMask Card had previously completed pilot testing in Europe and the UK, and this launch signifies its full entry into the US market. Cardholders can use the card at all online and offline merchants supporting the Mastercard network to convert on-chain assets in real-time and complete payments. Users always retain control of their private keys and assets before transactions, with the fiat settlement automatically handled during payment.
Gal Eldar, Head of Product at MetaMask, stated that the goal of this product is to make crypto payments as seamless as traditional bank cards, blurring the lines between on-chain and off-chain scenarios. The card is issued by Cross River Bank and supported by Monavate’s underlying technology, and it is compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments.
In terms of incentives, standard MetaMask Card transactions can earn up to 1% cashback in stablecoin mUSD; MetaMask Metal subscribers, paying an annual fee of $199, can enjoy up to 3% cashback on their first $10,000 of spending in the first year, along with travel and shopping benefits.
As US crypto payment debit cards and Web3 self-custody wallet payment solutions gradually mature, MetaMask’s move is seen as an important step in integrating DeFi into traditional payment networks, opening up greater opportunities for the use of crypto assets in everyday shopping.
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