The MetaMask Card from Consensys lets you spend crypto without giving up ownership or having to create an account with a crypto exchange. It provides access to 49 U.S. states through Mastercard’s network and is issued by Cross River Bank and made possible by Monavate/Baanx.
Defining Crypto Spending
The MetaMask Card, different from most crypto cards that require a stored account on an exchange, allows users full custody over their funds until they choose to use them. Upon payment at a merchant (in-store or online), users convert USDC, USDT, or wETH, for instance, on Linea to make purchases, and the tokens are transferred from their wallet at that instant and used to complete the transaction. USDC is currently the primary supported token for users in the U.S., and all transactions settle on Linea, which is a zkEVM based solution from Consensys that has low fees and fast finality.
Standard virtual cardholders can earn 1% mUSD back on any purchases they make with their MetaMask card. This is a stablecoin issued by MetaMask Bridge that has a 1:1 backing with U.S. dollar-denominated assets. Metal cardholders (USD 199/year) earn 3% mUSD back up to USD 10,000 of their annual spending, have no foreign transaction fees, and can generate yield on their unspent balances (i.e., aUSDC) through the Aave lending platform. In addition, Metal cardholders will receive travel discounts through Entravel and have exclusive access to private events.
Transforming from Pilot to Full Rollout in the U.S.
The MetaMask Card, first launched in the UK and Europe in 2024, was part of an initial pilot before rolling out to Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Switzerland, before its full rollout in the U.S. Now, New Yorkers who had previously been excluded can participate and benefit from it, with Vermont being the only exception. Gal Eldar, the product lead for MetaMask cards, described their overarching vision for the product: “We designed MetaMask Card to make crypto disappear. Not go away, but become so seamlessly woven into daily life that the line between onchain and offchain fades away entirely”.
According to Sherri Haymond, Mastercard’s global head of digital commercialization, the shared mission is “enable consumers to securely use their crypto, no matter where they are.” The MetaMask crypto card also offers Mastercard ID Theft Protection, Zero Liability, and instant mobile wallet issuance.
