ka. Card

Ka.Card Visa Debit: Crypto-Linked Card for EEA Residents with IBAN Integration

Basic Information

Ka.Card operates through the Ka.app platform by Kasta, offering a crypto-linked Visa debit card that enables users to spend cryptocurrency holdings as euros. The card is linked to a personal Sweden-based IBAN account in the user's name, providing dual functionality as both a crypto wallet and traditional bank account. Users must manually convert crypto to EUR within the app before spending.

Service Disruption Status

As of June 20, 2025, all Ka.Card services are completely suspended due to regulatory restrictions affecting Intergiro, their banking partner. This disruption includes:

• All Ka.Card Visa debit cards are non-functional for any transactions
• SEPA payment processing (incoming and outgoing EUR transfers) is blocked
• IBAN account services are frozen - no new IBANs can be issued and existing accounts are non-functional
• EUR deposit and withdrawal functionality is completely unavailable

Ka.app is actively working with alternative providers and expects service restoration within 4-6 weeks (late July to early August 2025). During this period, cryptocurrency trading and wallet functions within the Ka.app remain fully operational.

Customer EUR funds remain protected under Electronic Money Institution safeguarding regulations despite the service suspension.

Rewards and Benefits

Unlike many competitor cards, Ka.Card does not offer cashback rewards on purchases. Instead, the primary benefits are tiered based on KASTA token staking:

Staking Benefits

• Reduced Conversion Fees: Tiered fee reduction from 2.5% (no staking) to as low as 0.376% (highest tier)
• Staking Yields: 3-15% APY on staked KASTA tokens depending on tier
• Fee Payment Option: Option to pay fees with KASTA tokens for further discounts

Referral Program

Ka.Card offers a "Refer a Friend" program where both referrer and referee can earn up to $1,000 worth of KASTA tokens when new users join and meet certain conditions.

Fees and Limits

Conversion Fees

Transaction Limits

Currency conversion fees for non-EUR transactions likely follow standard Visa rates (approximately 1.5-2%), though this is not explicitly stated in the source material.

Card Tiers and Options

Ka.Card follows a single card model with benefits determined by KASTA token staking levels:

*Promotional rate of up to 15% APY available for limited time, capped at 1,000,000 KASTA tokens per user.

All tiers feature identical physical cards with the same design and functionality. The primary differences are the conversion fees and staking yields. Staking requires a minimum 6-month lock period for all tiers.

Top-Up Methods

To use the Ka.Card, users must manually pre-load the card by converting supported cryptocurrencies (including BTC, ETH, BNB, MATIC, DOT, ADA, BUSD, USDC, USDT, and KASTA) to euros (EUR) within the Ka.app platform, either on the mobile or web app. During this process, crypto funds move from the user's custodial Ka.app wallet to a EUR card balance, with conversion fees ranging from 2.5% (standard) to as low as 0.376% (for high KASTA stakers)—this fee is shown before you confirm. Converted EUR is available for spending almost instantly after completing the conversion, though only EUR can be spent with the card. Pre-loading is mandatory (no on-demand conversion at purchase), and custody of crypto shifts to the provider during this process. Users may also top up their card via SEPA EUR transfers to their assigned IBAN, which is free and does not require conversion.

Self-Custody Custodial

Ka.Card operates using a custodial model, meaning all cryptocurrencies and converted euro funds are held and managed by the Ka.app platform on users’ behalf. When you want to spend, you must manually convert your crypto assets to euros within the app, at which point both your crypto and euro balances are custodially stored by the platform, not in your own wallet. Users interact with their balances through the Ka.app interface but do not control the private keys, so independent access to your funds outside the platform isn’t possible. If the card provider or Ka.app ceased operations, you would not be able to recover your assets directly, as your access is dependent on the platform’s continued functioning. This model prioritizes convenience and seamless integration with traditional banking (like offering a personal IBAN and SEPA transfers), but it comes with the trade-off of forfeiting self-sovereign control and accepting additional counterparty risk tied to the provider’s security and regulatory standing. While custodial arrangements offer a streamlined user experience, they require trust in the platform’s solvency and security measures.

Supported Currencies and Conversion

Supported Cryptocurrencies

Ka.Card supports 10+ cryptocurrencies including:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Binance Coin (BNB)
• Polygon (MATIC)
• Polkadot (DOT)
• Cardano (ADA)
• Binance USD (BUSD)
• USD Coin (USDC)
• Tether (USDT)
• KASTA (platform's native token)

Supported Fiat Currencies

The card is denominated exclusively in Euro (EUR) and is associated with a personal EUR IBAN account. When spending outside the Eurozone, currency conversion is handled by the Visa network.

Conversion Process

Users must manually convert crypto to EUR within the app before spending. The conversion process includes:

• Selecting cryptocurrency and amount to convert
• Reviewing the conversion fee (based on user's tier)
• Confirming the transaction
• Accessing converted funds in EUR balance (nearly instant settlement)

Geographic Availability

Ka.Card is available exclusively to residents of 36 countries in the European Economic Area:

Supported Regions

• Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden
• Eastern Europe: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia
• French Territories: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint-Martin

Restricted Regions

• United Kingdom (post-Brexit)
• United States
• Non-EEA European countries
• Other global regions

While the Ka.app wallet is available in 179+ countries, the physical Ka.Card is limited to the 36 EEA/associated countries listed above.

Compliance and Security

Regulatory Framework

• Kasta CCHS Ltd registered in Bulgaria with virtual currency service provider license (No. BB-42)
• Licensed/registered in Italy (likely with OAM as virtual asset provider)
• Entity in Seychelles
• Card issued via Intergiro (regulated EMI in Sweden)

Security Features

• Full KYC verification: Identity documents and possibly proof of residence required
• Custodial Model: Ka.app holds users' private keys using Fireblocks, an institutional custody solution with multi-party computation (MPC)
• Fund Security:
  • Fiat funds held by Intergiro in segregated accounts (safeguarded as per EMI regulations)
  • Crypto funds secured by Fireblocks, with some insurance against theft/hacks
• User Security: Two-factor authentication (2FA), advanced encryption, and standard card security features

Compliance Partnerships

• NextGen FDI in UAE
• Regular security audits by firms like Zokyo

Technical Details

Card Technology

• Standard-issue Visa debit card with chip and PIN technology
• No contactless payment capabilities mentioned
• No virtual card option currently available
• Google Pay integration in development/testing phase

Integration Details

• Personal IBAN account in user's name (Sweden-based, currently suspended)
• Manual crypto-to-EUR conversion required (no automatic conversion at point-of-sale)
• Dedicated Ka.Debit Card section within Ka.app interface
• Enhanced card ordering experience under testing

Banking Infrastructure

• Banking services provided through partnership with Intergiro (currently disrupted)
• SEPA transfers supported for deposits and withdrawals (when operational)
• Internal transfers to other Ka.app users available

Limit Orders

Ka.app now offers limit order functionality that allows users to:

• Set buy/sell orders at specific price points
• Place orders using USDC only (other cryptocurrencies not supported for limit orders)
• Keep orders active until filled or manually cancelled
• Monitor pending orders through the app interface

This feature enables users to automate trading at desired price levels without needing to actively monitor the market.

User Experience

Ka.Card provides a centralized platform for managing both crypto assets and fiat spending:

• Mobile App: Available on iOS and Android with clean, intuitive interface
• Web App: Accessible via my.ka.app
• Card Management: Real-time balance updates and card controls through dedicated Ka.Debit Card section
• Support Channels: In-app chat support, active on Telegram and Twitter/X, detailed FAQ

Current user experience is significantly impacted by the service disruption, with card functionality and IBAN services completely unavailable. The company is providing regular updates on service restoration progress.

Common user feedback includes:

• Positive: Fast conversions, integrated IBAN functionality (when operational), responsive customer service
• Negative: Current service disruption, lack of Apple Pay support, physical-only card, no cashback rewards, waiting period for physical card delivery

Community workarounds include using Curve to link Ka.Card to Apple Pay for mobile wallet functionality, though this is not possible during the service disruption.

Best Suited For

• European Crypto Enthusiasts who regularly convert crypto to fiat for everyday spending
• Value-Conscious Users who prioritize low conversion fees over cashback rewards
• Medium-to-High Volume Spenders who can benefit from the reduced fees at higher tiers
• SEPA Zone Residents looking for an integrated crypto and traditional banking solution
• Long-Term Crypto Holders willing to stake KASTA tokens for 6+ months to maximize benefits

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Low conversion fees for stakers (as low as 0.376% at higher tiers)
• Integrated personal IBAN account for traditional banking functionality (when operational)
• Staking yields of 3-15% APY on KASTA tokens
• Supports 10+ major cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, and stablecoins
• Seamless bridge between crypto assets and real-world spending
• Limit orders functionality for automated trading
• Google Pay integration in development

Cons

• Currently suspended due to regulatory issues with banking partner
• No cashback rewards on purchases
• €15 card issuance fee and €1.25 monthly maintenance fee
• Limited mobile wallet integration (no Apple Pay or Samsung Pay)
• Limited to European Economic Area residents
• Benefits tied to volatile KASTA token performance

Conclusion

Ka.Card offers European crypto users a streamlined way to convert and spend digital assets through a Visa debit card connected to a personal IBAN account. However, as of June 20, 2025, all card services are temporarily suspended due to regulatory issues affecting their banking partner Intergiro. The company expects to restore services within 4-6 weeks.

When operational, the card's primary strength is its tiered fee structure, which can reduce conversion costs to as low as 0.376% for users willing to stake the platform's KASTA token. This approach differentiates it from competitors that focus more on cashback rewards. The inclusion of a personal IBAN account adds substantial utility, enabling direct salary deposits and bank transfers alongside crypto functionality.

Recent developments include the addition of limit order functionality for automated trading and Google Pay integration in testing, showing continued platform development despite the current service disruption.

The card still has notable limitations, including the lack of cashback rewards, limited mobile wallet integration, and a virtual card option. The €1.25 monthly fee and €15 issuance fee may deter casual users, while geographic restrictions to the EEA region exclude many potential users worldwide.

For users who frequently convert crypto to euros for spending and value low conversion fees over cashback rewards, Ka.Card represents a compelling option within the evolving crypto card ecosystem once services are restored, particularly for those based in the European Economic Area.

Additional Information

Token Economics

The KASTA token serves as the backbone of the reward structure, with a minimum 6-month lock period for staking. While the token has experienced significant price volatility since launch (dropping from around $1.19 to mere cents), the relatively low cost to achieve basic benefits (just 40 KASTA for Tier I) makes entry-level advantages accessible to most users.

The 15% APY promotion for Tier VII users represents one of the highest staking yields in the crypto card space, though it's capped at 1,000,000 KASTA per user and available on a first-come basis up to 50 million KASTA total.

Competitor Comparison

Compared to other crypto cards available in Europe:

• Crypto.com card: Offers cashback (1-8%) but requires larger CRO stakes for meaningful rewards
• Binance Card: Previously offered zero fees but is no longer available in many regions
• Coinbase Card: Charges higher fees (2.49%) but provides 1% cashback in crypto

Ka.Card's approach prioritizes fee savings over cashback, making it potentially more economical for users who frequently convert larger amounts. For small spenders, cashback-focused cards might provide better overall value.