Tangem launches first physical Visa crypto card as access lags demand in some markets

News Editor

2026-10-07 11:37:48

Swiss crypto wallet provider Tangem has rolled out its first physical Visa card, opening in-store purchases, online payments and ATM withdrawals to users of its self-custodial payment product. The initial release is capped at 5,000 cards. According to Tangem, demand for crypto-linked cards is not lining up neatly with where cards can actually be issued and delivered. The company told Cointelegraph that more than 40% of Tangem Pay payments come from Latin America and more than 30% from the United States, even as physical card access remains limited in several jurisdictions. Tangem said it currently cannot ship the card to roughly 20 countries, including China, Russia, North Korea and Palestine, citing factors such as KYC rules, sanctions, local banking requirements and card-issuing compliance. The company is also adding cashback in Circle’s USDC stablecoin, offering 1% for Basic users and 2% for Plus users on eligible purchases, and plans to present the first physical Tangem Pay cards at Token2049 in Singapore.

Tangem has launched its first physical Visa card, giving users of Tangem Pay a way to make in-store and online purchases and withdraw cash from ATMs. The initial rollout is limited to 5,000 cards.

The Swiss crypto wallet provider told Cointelegraph that demand for crypto-linked cards does not always match the places where physical cards can actually be issued and delivered. Tangem said more than 40% of Tangem Pay payments come from Latin America, while more than 30% come from the United States, even though card availability remains restricted in some markets.

Demand and card access are not lining up

「It is not simply a question of where people want crypto cards. It is where demand, regulation, banking infrastructure and card-issuing requirements happen to line up — and today, those maps do not always overlap,」 Andrey Ilinskiy, head of Tangem Pay, told Cointelegraph.

Tangem said users can fund the card directly from their self-custodial wallet. If the card is suspended or closed, funds can be moved back to the wallet.

The company also said: 「Self-custody removes one major boundary: there is no custodian standing between the user and their assets. But when those assets enter a regulated payment network, another set of boundaries appears.」

Tangem cannot ship the card to roughly 20 countries

Tangem said it is currently unable to deliver physical Tangem Pay cards to about 20 countries, including China, Russia, North Korea and Palestine.

According to the company, those restrictions do not necessarily reflect the rules that govern crypto itself. KYC requirements, sanctions, local banking rules and card-issuing compliance can all shape whether a crypto-linked card is available in a given market.

「The same conditions that can create demand for crypto as an alternative financial rail can make regulated card issuance more difficult,」 Tangem said.

USDC cashback and Token2049 debut

Tangem is also introducing cashback in Circle’s USDC stablecoin. Eligible purchases will return 1% for Basic users and 2% for Plus users.

The company said it plans to showcase the first physical Tangem Pay cards at Token2049 in Singapore.

This article was originally published by Bit.Fan. For more cryptocurrency news and market insights, visit www.bit.fan.

300

Disclaimer:

The market information, project data, and third-party content displayed on this platform are for industry information sharing only and do not constitute any form of investment advice or return commitment.

Cryptocurrency trading carries high risks. Users should fully assess their risk tolerance and make independent decisions. All profits, losses, and legal responsibilities are borne by the users themselves.