ether.fi Cash vs MetaMask Card (2026): Fees, Cashback and Which to Pick

Quick answer

ether.fi Cash pays more: 3% on its free tier versus about 1% on the free MetaMask Card. MetaMask is simpler, has no card fee for the virtual card and charges nothing extra when you spend stablecoins in your local currency. ether.fi also lets you borrow against your assets, which adds interest and liquidation risk.

ether.fi Cash and MetaMask Card compared

	ether.fi Cash	MetaMask Card
Our score	7.8/10	7.4/10
Best for	Crypto holders who want strong cashback and would rather borrow against ETH or other assets than sell them.	People who already live in MetaMask and want to spend stablecoins without moving them to an exchange.
Cashback	3% to 4% back	About 1% back, up to 3% on Metal
Card cost	Core: 1 free virtual card, physical card $60 including shipping. Luxe and up: 1 free physical card.	Virtual card free. Metal is a $199 annual membership. Metal replacement $99.
Annual fee	Core free. Luxe $199 a year (or qualify by deposits, staking or points). Pinnacle $999 a year (or qualify). VIP by invitation.	Free tier $0. Metal $199 a year.
FX	About 1% base FX rate plus margin: up to 0.5% on Core, up to 0.25% on Luxe, no added margin on Pinnacle and VIP	Free tier: 1% cross-border fee. Metal: no cross-border fee (fair usage applies).
Conversion	No separate conversion fee listed	Stablecoins in your local currency: no fee. Stablecoins in a third currency: 0.5%. DeFi or yield tokens: free up to $1,200 a month, then 0.5%. Other crypto such as wETH: 0.875%.
ATM	ATM withdrawals on all tiers. Free ATM withdrawals on Pinnacle and VIP (trackers list 10 a month). Limit $500 per withdrawal, 3 per rolling 24 hours.	Free tier: 2%. Metal: free up to $1,200 a month, then 2%. ATM operators may add their own fee.
Custody	Self-custody (you keep control of your assets)	Self-custody (funds stay in your wallet until you spend)
Network	Visa	Mastercard
Top up with	Fund from the assets you hold in your ether.fi account; Borrow against your portfolio instead of selling it	No top-up step. Hold USDC, USDT, EURe or GBPe in your MetaMask wallet on a supported chain and approve the card to spend it; Get stablecoins into your wallet with any onramp, exchange withdrawal or bridge
Withdraw by	Move assets back out to any wallet, since you keep custody; ATM cash withdrawals	Nothing to withdraw: funds never leave your wallet until you pay; Move funds anywhere from MetaMask at any time; ATM cash withdrawals
Where it works	Trackers list about 85 supported countries, including the UAE, Argentina, Australia and much of Europe. ether.fi says availability varies by region.	Trackers list about 45 supported countries, including the US, much of the EEA, Switzerland, Canada, Argentina and Brazil. Metal was US-only (not Vermont) before orders paused.
Last checked	15 October 2026	15 October 2026

Which one should you pick?

Both are self-custody, so the choice is rewards versus simplicity. ether.fi Cash is the better earner and has premium tiers with lounge access. The MetaMask Card is the easiest way to spend stablecoins you already hold in MetaMask. Heavy spenders who hold ETH lean ether.fi. People who want a no-thought stablecoin card lean MetaMask.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper abroad, ether.fi Cash or MetaMask Card?

On the entry tier, MetaMask Card has the lower FX markup. ether.fi Cash: About 1% base FX rate plus margin: up to 0.5% on Core, up to 0.25% on Luxe, no added margin on Pinnacle and VIP. MetaMask Card: Free tier: 1% cross-border fee. Metal: no cross-border fee (fair usage applies)..

Which pays more cashback, ether.fi Cash or MetaMask Card?

ether.fi Cash has the higher top rate. ether.fi Cash: 3% to 4% back. MetaMask Card: About 1% back, up to 3% on Metal. Check caps and requirements on each review.

Are ether.fi Cash and MetaMask Card self-custody?

ether.fi Cash: Self-custody (you keep control of your assets). MetaMask Card: Self-custody (funds stay in your wallet until you spend).