News & Research
Visa and Mastercard Stablecoin Settlement: What It Means for Card Programs
Visa and Mastercard both let card issuers settle in stablecoins, seven days a week. We explain how stablecoin settlement works, which currencies the networks accept, and what it changes for a card program's collateral and costs.
StraitsX Lists on Paymentscan as Monthly Card Spend Hits Record $438M
StraitsX joins Paymentscan after processing a record $438.2 million in card payments in September 2026, marking its 13th consecutive monthly high. With more than 56 million transactions processed to date, its listing provides new visibility into the scale of custodial stablecoin card issuing.
Why Your Crypto Card Costs 2% Abroad: Card Currencies Explained
Stablecoin cards may feel global, but many still settle transactions in a single base currency, creating extra FX and cross-border costs for international users. We look at why this happens, how multi-currency settlement can reduce those fees, and what is stopping more card programmes from adopting it.
Who Banks the Neobanks? The Hidden Vendors Behind Stablecoin Neobanks
We deposited and withdrew thousands from leading neobanks to test the fees and coverage of top banking vendors. We found one neobank charging ~2% FX spreads while another delivered near-perfect mid-market rates.
Inside Plasma One's $10M Launch: An Onchain Look at its Early Traction
Demand for Plasma One's Platinum card, which offers 4% base cashback and as much as 10% on AI spend and flights, has pushed users to lock more than $3.2 million in XPL within days of launch.
Guides
Crypto Card Interchange: How Much Revenue Does a Card Program Keep?
Interchange is the one revenue line every card program has. Gross card interchange can reach 1.5%, but most early stablecoin card programs retain closer to 0.1% of spend after the issuer's share, before card-related operating costs.
BIN Sponsorship Explained: How BIN Choice Affects Stablecoin Card Programs
Every card program runs on a BIN, and most launch on one shared with other programs. Here is what a BIN sponsor does, when a dedicated BIN is worth the wait, and why the country a BIN is issued in decides what your users pay.
Custodial vs Self-Custodial Crypto Cards: How Card Funding and Custody Work
Who pays the card issuer when spend settles, and who legally holds users' money until then? We explain self-custodial and custodial crypto card models, how much prefunding each needs, and what they mean for licences and users.
Can Stablecoin Issuers Replace a Traditional BaaS Stack?
Stablecoin card issuers can now bundle cards, accounts, FX, payouts, and yield into one integration. Here is what stablecoin banking as a service covers, how it compares with traditional BaaS, and how the leading stablecoin neobanks make money.
What it Costs to Launch a Crypto Card Program (2026)
Issuers pitch fast, cheap launches. Operators running programs today put the real cost at around $250,000 to launch, $5,000-15,000 a month in issuer minimums, and roughly $9 million of monthly spend to break even.
Best Second Chance Checking Accounts: Banking Options for 2026 If You've Been Denied a Bank Account
Compare the best second chance bank accounts for 2026, including Chime, Varo and Wells Fargo, alongside crypto alternatives KAST and Avici. We break down fees, ATM access, eligibility requirements and everyday banking features to help you understand the options available after previous banking problems.
Contactless Payments Explained: Technology, Security and Everyday Use
Contactless payments use NFC to let cards, phones and wearables communicate with payment terminals over a short distance. This guide explains how contactless payments work, how they are secured, where they are used, their main benefits and risks, and how newer products such as stablecoin cards are changing the financial infrastructure behind the tap.
Best Banking as a Service Providers: Top BaaS Platforms Compared
Compare the best Banking as a Service providers, including Wirex, Banking Circle, Bridge, ClearBank and Unit. We break down their product coverage, licensing, compliance, geographic reach, APIs, implementation timelines, pricing and scale to help businesses choose the right BaaS platform.
What Is a Virtual Bank Account and How Does It Work?
Virtual bank accounts offer a flexible way to receive, organize, and manage payments without opening multiple traditional bank accounts. Learn how virtual accounts work, where they are commonly used, their benefits and limitations, and how to open one through different types of providers.
Crypto Cards: How They Work, Benefits, Risks and More
Learn how crypto cards work, from debit and credit models to self-custody options. We break down their benefits, risks, fees, rewards, tax implications, and what to look for when choosing a card.
Comparisons
Stablecoin Virtual Accounts: 8 Providers Compared
Stablecoin virtual accounts give users local bank details that pay into a stablecoin balance. Compare Bridge, Due, Noah, MoonPay Enterprise, Wirex, and more.
Stablecoin Card Issuers Compared: Rain, Wirex, Stripe, StraitsX, and Interlace
We sent the same questions to the leading stablecoin card issuers. Here is how Rain, Wirex, Stripe, StraitsX, and Interlace compare on requirements, launch times, licences, coverage, and what they offer beyond the card.
Stablecoin Payouts in Asia: 8 Providers From FAST to UPI
Compare eight stablecoin payout providers in Asia, from Tazapay to StraitsX, with each market's rails, limits, and rules. See which one fits your corridors.
Best Blockchain Payment APIs to Accept and Send Stablecoins
Compare nine blockchain payment APIs, including Stripe, Coinbase, and BitPay, on chains, fees, settlement, and refunds. Find the right one for your product.
Bank Account Verification APIs for Stablecoin Payouts
Compare bank account verification APIs for stablecoin payouts: what ACH, SEPA, UK, Pix, and UPI check, what your ramp runs, and which API fills each gap.
Best Agentic Card Issuing Platforms for AI Agents in 2026
Compare the best agentic card issuing platforms, from Stripe and Rain to Lithic and Ramp, on controls, timeouts, and disputes, and find the one for your agents.
Stablecoin Payouts in the Middle East: Rules and Providers
Compare stablecoin payout providers in the Middle East: which tokens UAE, DIFC, and ADGM rules allow, and which licensed firms turn USDT and USDC into dirhams.
Stablecoin Payouts in Latin America: Pix, SPEI, and Bre-B
Compare nine stablecoin payout providers in Latin America, from Bridge to Bitso, on Pix, SPEI, and Bre-B coverage and Brazil's 2026 rules. See which fits you.
Stablecoin Payouts in Africa: USDT to M-Pesa and Naira
Compare eight stablecoin payout providers in Africa, from Yellow Card to Kotani Pay, on mobile money and bank coverage and Nigeria's new rules. See which fits.
Stablecoin Payouts in Europe: SEPA Instant, MiCA, and EURC
Compare stablecoin payout providers in Europe: who pays out by SEPA Instant and Faster Payments, who holds MiCA authorisation, and which stablecoins qualify.
Best Stablecoin Orchestration Platforms for Fintechs in 2026
Compare nine stablecoin orchestration platforms, including Bridge, BVNK, and Zero Hash, on who holds the money, licences, and ownership. Find the right fit.
Stablecoin Card Perks Providers: Rewards, Offers, and Lounges
Compare stablecoin card perks providers, from issuer points and lounge access to merchant-funded offers, and see who pays for each reward before you choose.
Chainalysis Alternatives for Stablecoin Payment Companies
Compare Chainalysis alternatives for stablecoin payments: TRM Labs, Elliptic, Range, and five more on chain coverage and pricing. See which one fits your flow.
Stablecoin Payouts in the US: RTP, FedNow, and 9 Providers
Compare nine stablecoin payout providers in the US: which offer RTP and FedNow, which exclude New York, and what the GENIUS Act's 2028 deadline means for you.
Crypto Card Comparison: Best Crypto Cards (2026): Cashback, Fees and Bonuses
We tested the leading free crypto cards to find the best cashback at $1,000 of monthly spending, comparing rates, fees, limits, and sign-up bonuses across every card we track.
Best Free Crypto Cashback Cards in Europe (2026)
We tested the leading free crypto cashback cards available in Europe to find out how much users actually earn after fees, FX spreads, reward caps, and funding restrictions.