Cypher Card

Cypher Card Visa Prepaid Review: Fees, Rewards & Availability

Basic Information

The Cypher Card is a Y Combinator-backed crypto prepaid card that enables users to spend cryptocurrency at over 40 million merchants worldwide while maintaining non-custodial control of their assets.

Rewards and Benefits

The Cypher Card offers an active rewards program through the CYPR token protocol that provides users with CYPR tokens for card spending. Unlike many crypto cards, there are no native token staking requirements to access the card or its features.

Active Rewards Program

Cypher Card features a fully implemented rewards program with the following structure:

• Users earn CYPR tokens based on card spending through epoch-based distribution
• Rewards are calculated per 14-day epoch cycles and depend on factors like plan tier and merchant multipliers
• Rewards are split into Base Spends and Boosted Spends, with boosted merchants offering multipliers (2x, 3x, etc.)
• Users can influence reward distribution through veCYPR-style voting mechanics to direct emissions toward preferred merchants
• Engaged users can potentially earn up to 35% cashback in rewards according to official sources
• Excludes ATM withdrawals, refunds, and Visa Direct transactions
• CYPR Token Generation Event occurred on October 5, 2025, with protocol epochs beginning October 9, 2025

Merchant Partnerships

Cypher Card has established partnerships with merchants to offer boosted rewards:

• Up to 300+ boosted brands available per epoch
• Standard rewards by default with boosted merchants offering multipliers
• Boosted merchant list is viewable within the mobile app and updated per epoch

CYPR Token Protocol

Cypher has launched its CYPR token protocol with significant features:

• 60,000,000 CYPR tokens distributed to early users through airdrop program
• Points-based system rewarding active card users based on spending and referrals
• Users can use code "AIRDROP" for 50 signup reward points
• Minimum $10 card load required for activation
• Protocol operates on 14-day epoch cycles starting October 9, 2025

Premium Travel Benefits

Premium tier cardholders receive travel-related benefits through the Cypher platform, though specific travel portal features require verification through official Cypher sources.

Referral Program

Cypher Card offers an active referral program that rewards users with "Cypher Reward Points" (50 points bonus mentioned). These points contribute to the user's standing in the CYPR token protocol and the overall rewards ecosystem.

Fees and Limits

Cypher Card fees are structured around a two-tier system, with the Premium tier offering reduced conversion and foreign exchange fees in exchange for an annual fee.

Note on USDC Fees: USDC on certain chains like BNB is bridged and not eligible for free USDC load benefits. Supported USDC chains are explicitly listed in the help center.

Card Tiers and Options

Both tiers share core functionality including the non-custodial approach, Apple Pay and Google Pay integration, and access to the same cryptocurrencies and global merchant network.

Top-Up Methods

• Pre-load required: convert crypto to USD in app before spending
• Supports 500+ tokens across 25+ blockchains (BTC, ETH, USDC, SOL, etc.)
• Top-up via non-custodial wallet connect or Cypher Wallet app

Self-Custody Hybrid Custody

• Users control private keys and crypto until initiating conversion
• Crypto is transferred to platform only during conversion to USD for card use
• If provider disappears, unconverted crypto remains accessible; converted funds may be lost

Supported Currencies and Conversion

The Cypher Card boasts extensive cryptocurrency support, with 500+ tokens across 25+ blockchains according to official sources (with some documentation referencing 15+ blockchains). The official help center lists 14 supported chains for card loads including:

• Ethereum and EVM chains (ETH, USDC, USDT, DAI, BNB, MATIC)
• Cosmos ecosystem (ATOM and related tokens)
• Solana (SOL and SPL tokens)
• Tron (TRX and TRC-20 tokens including USDT-Tron)
• Many others across multiple ecosystems

For fiat currencies, USD serves as the primary settlement currency. The card can be used in local currencies worldwide, with automatic conversion from USD at the point of sale subject to the foreign exchange fees noted earlier.

The conversion process requires users to manually convert crypto to USD in the app before spending. This conversion is processed instantly in most cases, pending blockchain confirmation. All crypto is converted to USD before spending, maintaining the non-custodial approach until the point of conversion.

Geographic Availability

The Cypher Card is available across numerous countries globally, with specific restrictions in 17 US states. Due to conflicting information in official documentation regarding country lists, users should verify eligibility through the app or support channels.

United States Availability
Cypher Card is supported in 33 US states. The following 17 states are not supported: Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

International Availability

Europe

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Americas

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United States, Uruguay

Asia & Oceania

Bahrain, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

Africa & MENA

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Swaziland, Togo, Tunisia, Zambia

Generally restricted jurisdictions include sanctioned countries (North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan) and other regions based on regulatory requirements.

Compliance and Security

Security features of the Cypher Card include:

• Standard KYC required for all users (government-issued ID, possibly selfie and proof of address)
• PIN protection for transactions
• 3-D Secure for online purchases
• Two-factor authentication
• "Lockdown Mode" to instantly freeze the card

The company partners with licensed financial entities globally and follows strict AML/KYC protocols and complies with OFAC sanctions. Specific regulatory registration details require verification through official sources.

The Premium tier offers $300 fraud protection insurance (industry first), while standard card network zero-liability policies apply to all cards. The non-custodial model for crypto reduces security risks, as users maintain control of assets until conversion.

Technical Details

The Cypher Card employs a non-custodial approach that sets it apart from many competitors. Users connect their own wallet (or use Cypher app's integrated wallet with user-controlled private keys) to load the card. Until conversion to fiat, crypto stays in the user's personal wallet under their control.

This reduces custody risk significantly—if Cypher's platform were compromised, users' crypto wallets wouldn't automatically be affected since funds aren't held in a Cypher custodial account. The time crypto spends in Cypher's custody is minimal, essentially just during the conversion process.

The conversion process occurs within the app, with users initiating the conversion from crypto to USD before spending. Funds must be pre-loaded onto the card, and conversion is processed in real-time once blockchain confirmation is received.

The company maintains a public GitHub organization, supporting transparency in their development approach.

User Experience

Cypher offers a dedicated "Cypher Wallet" app available for iOS and Android with generally positive user feedback. The app has received praise for its clean interface and functionality, with an 8.8/10 rating for customer support.

Support channels include:

• In-app chat
• Email support ([email protected])
• Discord and Telegram communities

User feedback indicates variable support response times (from 18 minutes to 17 hours) and occasional minor app bugs.

The app is confirmed to support English, though other languages are not explicitly mentioned. No specific merchant category restrictions are mentioned.

Best Suited For

The Cypher Card is best suited for:

• Crypto privacy advocates who value maintaining control of their assets until spending
• Multi-chain cryptocurrency enthusiasts who hold diverse token portfolios across blockchains
• CYPR rewards seekers who can maximize value through epoch-based token distribution
• High-volume spenders who need elevated spending limits and premium features

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Non-custodial approach gives users maximum control over crypto assets
• Extensive multi-chain support with 500+ tokens across 25+ blockchains
• Active CYPR rewards program with epoch-based distribution and boosted merchants
• Industry-first fraud protection insurance on Premium tier

Cons

• Physical card costs $50 on Standard tier
• 1.75% foreign exchange fee plus possible bank fees on non-USD transactions
• Default spending limits require increases via support
• Limited geographic availability with 17 US state restrictions

Conclusion

The Cypher Card stands out in the crypto card market primarily through its non-custodial architecture and extensive multi-chain support. By allowing users to maintain control of their assets until the point of spending, it addresses a key concern for security-conscious crypto holders while still providing the convenience of everyday spending.

The card's support for 500+ tokens across 25+ blockchains makes it one of the most flexible options available, particularly for users who hold diverse cryptocurrency portfolios. The launch of the CYPR token protocol with epoch-based rewards distribution creates compelling incentives for regular card usage, with engaged users potentially earning up to 35% cashback.

The Premium tier's industry-first fraud protection insurance adds an extra layer of security that competitors don't offer. However, the limited geographic availability, particularly the 17 US state restrictions, significantly limits the card's accessibility. The Standard tier's physical card fee and default spending limits may also deter some potential users.

Overall, Cypher Card is well-suited for crypto users in supported regions who prioritize asset control, multi-chain support, and rewards optimization through the CYPR protocol. With its non-custodial approach and active rewards program, Cypher Card has positioned itself as a compelling option for eligible users in the crypto card market.

Additional Information

Telegram Integration

Cypher offers a unique "banking on Telegram" feature with a bot that allows certain banking functions through chat. Using Cypher's Telegram bot, users can check balances and potentially load cards or receive support, creating a novel convenience benefit for those who prefer chat interfaces.

Business Card Features

For business users, Cypher's integration extends to accounting software with an accountant login feature that likely allows read-only access for bookkeeping. The business offering includes features for company spending with tools like multiple cards, expense tracking, and specialized management controls, making the product appealing to startups and crypto companies managing contractor payments and expenses.