Crypto card issuers explained, and why the company behind your card matters
Quick answer
Every crypto card is legally issued by a regulated bank or e-money institution, not by the crypto app. A handful of issuers sit behind most cards: Third National (often with Rain) for many stablecoin cards, Lead Bank (with Bridge or Stripe) in the US, Monavate and Transact Payments in Europe, and DCS in Asia-Pacific. When an issuer or program partner changes or shuts down, cards can stop working even if the app is fine, as Solflare and Gnosis Pay users found in 2026.
When you sign up for a crypto card, you deal with the app. Legally, though, your card belongs to a bank or e-money institution you may never have heard of. That company decides a lot: which countries are allowed, how disputes work, and whether the card keeps working if something changes.
The layers
- Issuer: the regulated institution that is a member of Visa or Mastercard and legally issues the card.
- Program manager: the company that runs card programs for apps, handling compliance and settlement. Rain, Bridge, Stripe, Baanx, Paera and Kulipa are examples.
- The app: KAST, MetaMask, Tangem and so on. It designs the experience and holds or connects to your funds.
Who issues what (from our listings)
| Issuer | Region | Cards on Crypto Cards Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Third National | Global programs | KAST, ether.fi, Avici, Exa, Plasma One, Tangem, Karta, Rizon, Avalanche Card |
| Rain (program manager) | Global programs | Tuyo, Oobit, Jupiter outside Asia, Solid in many countries |
| Lead Bank | United States | Fuse, VaultLeap, Krak Card US |
| Monavate | UK and EEA | Krak Card, 1inch, Gnosis Pay, Rebind, Ledger CL |
| Transact Payments Malta | EEA | Bitpanda, Wirex in the EEA |
| Wirex | UK, EEA, rest of world | COCA, Solid in some countries |
| DCS (DeCard) | Asia-Pacific | Jupiter in Asia, Coin98 Fusion |
| Others | Various | Unlimit for Bleap, DiPocket for Nexo, Fiat24 for SafePal, WebBank for Gemini, Celtic Bank for Fold |
Each card page lists the issuer we found in the Card issuer row. Where an app doesn't name it, we say so.
Why it matters to you
Availability. Issuers decide which countries they'll serve. That's why cards on the same issuer often have similar country lists, and why a card can exclude your country even though the app works there.
Fees. Some costs come from the issuer, not the app. Jupiter charges 1% FX on Rain-issued cards and 1.8% on DCS-issued cards in Asia-Pacific, for the same product.
Continuity. If a program manager winds down, cards stop. Solflare paused its card in July 2026 after Kulipa shut down. Gnosis Pay closed to new sign-ups and moved users to partner apps such as Rebind. Cypher closed its cards in August 2026 before shutting down. Your crypto may be safe, but your card isn't guaranteed.
Security. Shared infrastructure means shared risk. In August 2026, attackers exploited an outdated version of Rain's Solana card contracts and took funds from Avici and Tria cardholders, who were later repaid.
What to look for
- A named issuer you can look up on a regulator's register.
- A clear statement of who holds your funds before you pay.
- A history of honouring withdrawals during past changes.
Read more in are crypto cards safe?
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an issuer and a program manager?
The issuer is the licensed bank or e-money institution that legally issues the card. The program manager (like Rain, Bridge, Baanx or Paera) runs the card program on the issuer's licence, and the app you use sits on top.
Why do crypto apps hide their issuer?
Sometimes for commercial reasons, sometimes because the program is new. We treat an unnamed issuer as a small risk, because you can't check who's responsible for your card.
What happens if my card's issuer changes?
Usually you get a new card number and must update saved cards and phone wallets. Phantom replaced its cards in October 2026 when its program moved from Bridge to Stripe.