Bitsa Card

Bitsa Visa Prepaid Card: European Crypto-to-Euro Payment Solution

Basic Information

Bitsa Card bridges the gap between cryptocurrencies and everyday spending, allowing users to convert and spend their crypto holdings in the fiat economy. The card provides a digital payment solution without requiring a traditional bank account, functioning primarily as a crypto-to-euro bridge for everyday transactions.

Rewards and Benefits

Bitsa Card previously offered a cashback program with up to 15% at partner retailers for Move and Pro plans, but this program has been discontinued. Current benefits are primarily related to functionality rather than rewards:

• Instant crypto-to-euro conversion for spending anywhere Visa is accepted
• Multiple cards per user for budgeting or family sharing (up to 10 cards on Pro plan)
• Disposable virtual cards for safer online purchases
• Card-to-card instant transfers within the app (no fee)
• Prepaid voucher reloads from partners like Fnac and Carrefour
• No staking requirements; benefits based on subscription tier only

Unlike many crypto cards, Bitsa does not require token staking or cryptocurrency holdings to access higher tiers and benefits.

Fees and Limits

Fee Structure

Spending Limits

Virtual cards cannot withdraw cash. Funds transfers from third parties (family, crypto exchanges) are allowed. Move and Pro tiers allow multiple cards with independent or shared balances for more flexible fund management.

Card Tiers and Options

All tiers allow crypto-to-euro conversion and spending anywhere Visa is accepted. Higher tiers offer more flexible limits, lower conversion fees, and the ability to manage multiple cards with independent balances.

Top-Up Methods

Users top up the Bitsa Visa Prepaid Card by transferring any of 22 supported cryptocurrencies (including BTC, ETH, XMR, ADA, USDC, and more) from an external wallet or exchange into their Bitsa account via the mobile app or web platform. All crypto deposits are immediately and automatically converted to euros (EUR) upon arrival using the current exchange rate, with a crypto-to-euro conversion fee ranging from 1.89% to 2.39% depending on subscription tier. No crypto is stored; funds are held as EUR in the Bitsa custodial wallet, and users must pre-load the card balance before spending. Top-up limits range from €500 to €4,000 per day and €1,000 to €30,000 per month depending on your plan, with a maximum card balance as low as €2,500 on the Free tier. Funds become available for use as soon as the deposit is confirmed and converted, but transfers involve a custody change from your self-custody wallet to Bitsa's custodial EUR account, and only EUR can be spent with the card.

Self-Custody Custodial

Bitsa Card uses a custodial model for crypto-to-euro payments. When users deposit supported cryptocurrencies, these assets are immediately converted and held as euros by the card issuer, not by the user. Users do not control their private keys or retain custody of their assets once deposited; all account balances are maintained in EUR, and crypto cannot be held in the account. This means that if Bitsa or its banking partner were to cease operations, users would not have independent access to their funds outside the platform. The setup offers simplicity and easy integration with the Visa network, but users should be aware that all funds are dependent on the platform's continued operation and oversight. This arrangement prioritizes ease of use over personal control of crypto assets, which may not suit those seeking self-sovereign management of their cryptocurrency.

Supported Currencies and Conversion

Bitsa Card supports 22 cryptocurrencies for deposit and conversion to euros:

• Major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• Privacy coins: Monero (XMR), Dash (DASH)
• DeFi tokens: Uniswap (UNI), Sushi (SUSHI), Chainlink (LINK), Basic Attention Token (BAT)
• Stablecoins: USD Coin (USDC), DAI
• Other altcoins: Cardano (ADA), Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), Polygon (MATIC), Avalanche (AVAX), Tezos (XTZ), Stellar (XLM), Tron (TRX)

Fiat Currency Support: Euro (EUR) only. All transactions and balances are maintained in EUR.

Conversion Process:

• Crypto deposits instantly convert to EUR upon confirmation
• Users receive the current exchange rate minus the conversion fee (1.89%-2.39% depending on tier)
• Non-EUR transactions incur a currency conversion fee (1.15% within SEPA, 1.50% outside SEPA)
• No ability to hold crypto in the account; all deposits are automatically converted to EUR

Geographic Availability

Bitsa Card is available in 28 European Economic Area (EEA) countries:

Available Regions:

• Western Europe: Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal
• Northern Europe: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden
• Southern Europe: Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Slovenia
• Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia
• Other EEA: Liechtenstein

Restricted Countries:

• Within EEA: Croatia, Latvia, Netherlands (notably absent)
• All non-EEA countries: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Asia, Africa, South America, etc.

The service is specifically designed for EEA residents, and non-EEA residents generally cannot open an account. All services operate within the SEPA zone framework.

Compliance and Security

Bitsa operates under European electronic money and payment laws, including PSD2 and AML/KYC regulations:

Identity Verification:

• Users must verify identity with official ID (EU passport, ID card, or residence permit)
• Proof of EU residency required
• Minimum age requirement of 16+ (guardian consent required for minors)

Regulatory Framework:

• Regulated under EU electronic money regulations
• PecunPay operates as a licensed electronic money institution under Bank of Spain oversight (EDE License No. 6707)

Fund Security:

• Custodial model; user crypto is held in Bitsa's wallets and converted to EUR on deposit
• Funds held in segregated accounts per E-Money regulations
• Deposit guarantee claimed "up to €100,000" (not statutory insurance)

Security Features:

• Standard encryption protocols
• SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA)
• Verified by Visa (3D Secure) for online payment protection
• Ability to freeze/unfreeze cards instantly via the app

A 2019 incident of suspicious logins led Bitsa to enforce SMS 2FA, with no major security breaches reported since then.

Technical Details

Platform Compatibility:

• Native iOS and Android mobile applications
• Web platform access

Integration Capabilities:

• Mobile wallet support: Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay
• SEPA banking network for transfers
• Card-to-card transfers within the Bitsa ecosystem

Authentication Methods:

• SMS-based two-factor authentication
• Biometric login support (fingerprint/face unlock)
• 3D Secure for online transaction verification

Transaction Processing:

• Real-time notifications for transactions
• Standard Visa processing for spending (real-time authorization)
• Instant crypto-to-euro conversion upon deposit confirmation

Technical Limitations:

• 3D Secure implementation sometimes causes transaction failures
• Account recovery can be difficult if access to registered phone/email is lost
• No direct exchange integration; users must send crypto from external wallets/exchanges

User Experience

Bitsa provides a straightforward user experience with comprehensive account management features:

Mobile Application:

• Native iOS and Android apps with intuitive interface
• Transaction history and card management
• Cryptocurrency deposit addresses
• SEPA transfer details
• Card freezing and spending limit settings
• Biometric authentication (fingerprint/face recognition)
• Real-time transaction notifications

Support Channels:

• Email: [email protected]
• Web ticket system
• Social media (Twitter/X, Facebook)
• Phone: +34 91 088 94 12 (Spain)

User Feedback:

• Aggregate rating 2.0/5 from reviews
• 86% negative feedback primarily regarding:
  • Account blocking/suspension issues
  • Poor customer support responsiveness
  • SMS code delivery problems
  • 3D-Secure failures preventing online payments
  • Slow SEPA transfers and ATM rejection problems

Additional Features:

• Card-to-card instant transfers inside the app (no fee)
• Voucher reloads from retail partners with varying commission rates
• Multiple cards with separate balances for budgeting purposes

Best Suited For

• Crypto-active European residents who need a simple way to convert and spend cryptocurrencies in everyday life
• Budget-conscious users who want to maintain separate card balances for different spending categories
• Privacy-focused spenders who prefer prepaid solutions without traditional banking relationships
• Online shoppers who appreciate disposable virtual cards for enhanced payment security
• Family account managers who need to distribute funds across multiple cards with spending controls

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Simple crypto-to-euro bridge with instant conversion for everyday spending
• No staking requirements to access tiered benefits
• Multiple card management with independent or shared balances
• No fee for buying cryptocurrency through the platform
• Comprehensive mobile wallet integration (Google Pay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay)

Cons

• Conversion fees range from 1.89% to 2.39% when selling crypto
• Limited to EEA residents with no global availability
• Poor customer service ratings with documented responsiveness issues
• Discontinued cashback program that previously added significant value
• Account suspensions reported by users with limited recourse options

Conclusion

Bitsa Card serves as a practical bridge between cryptocurrency holdings and everyday spending needs for European users. By providing a Spanish IBAN and Visa debit functionality, it allows crypto holders to convert and spend their assets in the traditional financial system without requiring a conventional bank account.

The service offers reasonable flexibility with its tiered approach, allowing users to select plans matching their usage patterns and spending requirements. The Pro tier notably offers substantial limits and the lowest conversion fees, making it suitable for frequent users, while the Free tier provides basic functionality for occasional use with higher conversion costs.

Unlike many crypto cards, Bitsa doesn't require staking or holding specific tokens to access higher tiers, which makes it more accessible to general crypto users. However, the service is limited to EEA residents, and the documented customer service issues are a significant consideration for potential users.

For those within its supported regions who understand its limitations, Bitsa remains one of the more accessible options for converting and spending cryptocurrency in the European market, particularly for those who value multiple card management and budget segregation capabilities.

Additional Information

Security Incidents

• A 2019 incident of suspicious logins led Bitsa to enforce SMS 2FA
• No major breaches or losses reported since implementation of enhanced security
• User accounts can be flagged as "suspicious" which triggers potential maintenance fees (up to €3/month) and inactivity fees (€10/month after 3+ months)

Customer Experience Reports

• Positive feedback focuses on convenience of crypto spending and multi-card management
• Long-time users appreciate the stability of the service for online payments
• Popular among online gamblers and shoppers wanting a prepaid Visa without a bank
• Only 15% of callers report resolution when contacting the Spanish help-line
• Frequent complaints about account blocking with funds inaccessible for extended periods
• Reports of difficulty with identity checks and account recovery processes

Regulatory Considerations

• Subject only to EU regulations; future MiCA regulations may affect service
• No licenses or operations outside the EEA
• PecunPay operates as a licensed electronic money institution under Bank of Spain oversight