ka. Card

Ka.Card Visa Debit Review: Fees, Rewards & Availability

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 virtual 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 and Restoration Timeline

Ka.Card experienced a significant service disruption in mid-2025 due to regulatory issues affecting its banking partner. Here is the complete timeline:

As of October 2025, Ka.Card services are operational for verified EEA residents through the new Fiat Republic integration. However, EUR deposits are currently restricted to transfers from the user's own external accounts only.

Banking & Financial Services

Ka.Card provides integrated banking functionality alongside crypto services through its partnership with Fiat Republic:

Virtual IBAN Account

• Account Type: Virtual IBAN in user's name
• Currency: EUR only
• Payment Rails: SEPA Instant transfers supported
• Deposit Restrictions: Currently limited to transfers from your own external accounts only (third-party deposits not supported)
• Internal Transfers: Free transfers to other Ka.app users

EUR Account Features

• Direct EUR deposits via SEPA
• Faster KYC verification process (via Fiat Republic integration)
• EUR account accessible within Ka.app interface
• Dedicated EUR balance management

Previous Banking Infrastructure

Prior to October 2025, banking services were provided through Intergiro, a Swedish Electronic Money Institution. Following Intergiro's regulatory issues and subsequent bankruptcy (July 31, 2025), Ka.app migrated to Fiat Republic for EUR banking rails.

Regulatory Structure and Licensing

Current Regulatory Framework

• Kasta CCHS Ltd: Registered in Bulgaria with virtual currency service provider license (No. BB-42)
• EUR Banking Partner: Fiat Republic (provides regulated EUR payment infrastructure)
• Geographic Focus: European Economic Area (EEA) only as of June 30, 2025
• Italy Operations: KASTA CCHS Italy S.r.l. ceased operations July 29, 2025

Previous Regulatory Structure

• Former Card Issuer: Intergiro (regulated Electronic Money Institution in Sweden)
  • E-money authorisation withdrawn by Finansinspektionen on June 18, 2025
  • Declared bankrupt July 31, 2025
  • Platform shutdown August 20, 2025

Additional Registrations

• Licensed/registered in Italy (operations ceased July 2025)
• Entity in Seychelles
• Compliance partnerships with NextGen FDI in UAE

Fund Protection

• EUR funds held in segregated accounts under e-money safeguarding regulations
• Crypto funds secured by Fireblocks institutional custody solution
• Insurance coverage against theft/hacks for crypto assets

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

Ka.Card has a competitive fee structure with tiered conversion fees based on KASTA token staking levels.

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 8 cryptocurrencies including:

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

Supported Fiat Currencies

The card is denominated exclusively in Euro (EUR) and is associated with a virtual 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 the European Economic Area (EEA). As of June 30, 2025, Ka.app stopped accepting signups from non-EEA countries to focus solely on the EEA market.

Europe (EEA Countries)

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy (operations ceased July 29, 2025), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

French Territories

French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, Réunion, Saint-Martin

Restricted Regions

• Italy: KASTA CCHS Italy S.r.l. stopped accepting new account openings on July 29, 2025, and began closing existing accounts (withdrawal deadline August 28, 2025; closure August 29, 2025)
• Non-EEA Countries: All non-EEA signups stopped June 30, 2025; existing non-EEA users were required to withdraw funds by this date or incur a $10 withdrawal fee
• United Kingdom: Not supported (post-Brexit)
• United States: Not supported
• Other Global Regions: Not supported

Compliance and Security

Regulatory Framework

• Kasta CCHS Ltd registered in Bulgaria with virtual currency service provider license (No. BB-42)
• EUR banking services provided through Fiat Republic (regulated payment institution)
• Entity in Seychelles
• Italy operations ceased July 29, 2025

Security Features

• Full KYC verification: Identity documents and possibly proof of residence required (faster KYC process via Fiat Republic integration)
• Custodial Model: Ka.app holds users' private keys using Fireblocks, an institutional custody solution with multi-party computation (MPC)
• Fund Security:
  • Fiat funds held in segregated accounts (safeguarded as per e-money regulations)
  • Crypto funds secured by Fireblocks, with 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
• Mobile wallet integration not specified in official sources

Integration Details

• Virtual IBAN account in user's name (via Fiat Republic)
• Manual crypto-to-EUR conversion required (no automatic conversion at point-of-sale)
• Dedicated Ka.Debit Card section within Ka.app interface
• SEPA Instant transfers supported
• EUR deposits restricted to your own external accounts only (third-party deposits not currently supported)

Banking Infrastructure

• Banking services provided through partnership with Fiat Republic (as of October 2025)
• SEPA Instant transfers supported for deposits and withdrawals
• Internal transfers to other Ka.app users available
• Faster KYC verification process

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
• KYC Process: Faster verification process via Fiat Republic integration (as of October 2025)

Common user feedback includes:

• Positive: Fast conversions, integrated IBAN functionality, responsive customer service, SEPA Instant support
• Negative: EUR deposit restrictions (own accounts only), lack of confirmed mobile wallet support, physical-only card, no cashback rewards, waiting period for physical card delivery

Best Suited For

Ka.Card is 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
• EEA 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 virtual IBAN account with SEPA Instant support
• Staking yields of 3-15% APY on KASTA tokens
• Supports 8 major cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, and stablecoins
• Seamless bridge between crypto assets and real-world spending
• Limit orders functionality for automated trading
• Faster KYC verification process via Fiat Republic
• Services restored after mid-2025 disruption

Cons

• No cashback rewards on purchases
• €15 minimum EUR balance required to order card
• €1.25 monthly maintenance fee and €1 ATM withdrawal fee
• €1 IBAN deposit/top-up fee
• Mobile wallet integration not specified in official sources
• Limited to European Economic Area residents only
• EUR deposits restricted to your own external accounts only
• Benefits tied to volatile KASTA token performance
• Italy operations ceased (July 2025)

Conclusion

Ka.Card offers European crypto users a streamlined way to convert and spend digital assets through a Visa debit card connected to a virtual IBAN account. Following a significant service disruption in mid-2025 due to the collapse of its previous banking partner Intergiro, Ka.app successfully restored services in October 2025 through a new integration with Fiat Republic.

The card's primary strength remains 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 virtual IBAN account with SEPA Instant support adds substantial utility, though current restrictions limit EUR deposits to the user's own external accounts only.

Recent developments include the restoration of EUR banking services via Fiat Republic, faster KYC verification, and continued support for limit order functionality. However, the platform has narrowed its geographic focus to the EEA only, ceasing operations in Italy and stopping all non-EEA signups as of mid-2025.

The card still has notable limitations, including the lack of cashback rewards, unspecified mobile wallet integration, and no virtual card option. The €1.25 monthly maintenance fee, €15 minimum EUR balance requirement to order, and various transaction fees may deter casual users, while geographic restrictions to the EEA 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, particularly for those based in the European Economic Area who can meet the minimum staking requirements.

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.