Mercuryo Spend Card

Mercuryo Spend Mastercard Debit Review: Fees, Rewards & Availability

Basic Information

The Mercuryo Spend Card is a virtual Mastercard debit card designed to bridge the gap between self-custodial cryptocurrency wallets and traditional payment methods. It enables users to spend cryptocurrencies from their non-custodial wallets at merchants worldwide that accept Mastercard payments. When purchases are made, cryptocurrencies are automatically converted into fiat currency, providing a seamless spending experience.

Rewards and Benefits

The Mercuryo Spend Card does not currently offer a formal cashback or rewards program, though the company has indicated that "rewards and exclusive perks" are "coming soon" in future updates.

The primary benefits of the card center around its functionality rather than traditional rewards:

• Self-Custody Preservation: Users maintain control of their private keys and crypto assets until the point of transaction
• Direct Spending: Eliminates the need to transfer crypto to centralized exchanges before spending
• Seamless Integration: Can be embedded directly within non-custodial wallet provider applications
• Mobile Wallet Support: Integration with Apple Pay and Google Pay for online and in-store payments
• No Staking Requirements: No cryptocurrency staking needed to use the card

Fees and Limits

The Mercuryo Spend Card features a competitive fee structure with no issuance or monthly maintenance fees under normal usage conditions. However, users should be aware of transaction-specific fees and fair usage policies.

Fair Usage Policy: The Mercuryo Spend Card remains free of monthly fees as long as the card is actively used. If the card is inactive for 3 consecutive months, a €1/month inactivity fee will be charged. If the card balance falls below €1 and the fee cannot be collected, Mercuryo will claim the remaining balance and close the card.

Higher limits may be available with additional identity verification. The card does not support ATM withdrawals as it is virtual-only.

Card Tiers and Options

All versions of the card offer similar core functionality, with the primary differences being the management interface and cryptocurrency support. Each version follows the same fair usage policy and fee structure, with free issuance and maintenance under normal usage conditions.

Top-Up Methods

The Mercuryo Spend Mastercard does not require users to pre-load the card or transfer funds in advance—instead, it connects directly to self-custodial crypto wallets (such as via the Mercuryo app or Ledger Live), and spending occurs on demand. When a purchase is made, users select from supported cryptocurrencies (40+ for standard version; BTC and ETH for Ledger version), which are automatically converted to fiat (EUR) at the moment of transaction, with a 0.95% conversion fee applied. There is no need to transfer custody to the card provider before spending: the user retains control over their crypto until the point of purchase, and funds move directly from the self-custody wallet to the merchant via instant crypto-to-fiat conversion. Top-up limits per load are €2,500, with spending limits of €5,000 per transaction, €10,000 per day, and €40,000 per month. Management and spending are handled via the Mercuryo app or Ledger Live, with seamless integration into Apple Pay and Google Pay for virtual card use.

Self-Custody True Self-Custody

The Mercuryo Spend Card allows users to keep full control of their crypto assets and private keys right up until the point of making a purchase. Instead of pre-loading funds onto a platform or relinquishing custody, users spend directly from their non-custodial wallets, with crypto converted to fiat at the moment of transaction. This means users never have to transfer assets to an exchange or proprietary account in advance, reducing counterparty risk and retaining maximum control. If Mercuryo or its partners ceased operations, users would still have access to their crypto in their own wallets up until initiating a transaction. While this model offers top-tier self-sovereignty, practical limitations include a virtual-only format and no ATM withdrawals. Overall, it provides strong security and independence for crypto spenders, matching the self-custody ethos valued by many in the crypto community.

Supported Currencies and Conversion

Cryptocurrency Support

The standard Mercuryo Spend Card supports 40 cryptocurrencies across multiple blockchains, including:

• Major networks: Ethereum, Solana, Polkadot, TON, Near, ZKsync, and Injective
• Common tokens: BTC, ETH, USDT and various ERC-20 assets

The Ledger-specific version supports Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USDC, USDT, and other stablecoins, with seamless integration through the Ledger Live application.

The Nova Wallet version, launched in June 2025, specifically supports Polkadot (DOT) and other tokens within the Polkadot ecosystem, making it the first debit card specifically designed for Polkadot users.

Conversion Process

The Mercuryo Spend Card is euro-denominated and automatically converts cryptocurrencies to fiat currency when purchases are made. The conversion process works as follows:

• Users select which cryptocurrency to use for a top-up
• Top-ups are executed by selling crypto through Mercuryo's exchange service, with pricing displayed during the top-up flow
• The card balance is maintained in EUR
• For non-EUR purchases, the Mastercard exchange rate applies plus a 1% foreign exchange fee
• The merchant receives payment in traditional currency

This process eliminates the need to manually convert crypto to fiat before making purchases, while providing transparency on conversion rates during the top-up process.

Geographic Availability

The Mercuryo Spend Card is currently available exclusively to residents of the European Economic Area (EEA). Users must provide an EU passport/ID and EU address during the verification process.

Regions where the card is not currently available include:

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Asia-Pacific
• Africa
• South America

Mercuryo has stated plans to expand the card's availability to other regions globally in the future, but no specific timeline has been provided for this expansion.

Compliance and Security

The Mercuryo Spend Card operates within a regulatory framework that includes:

• KYC Requirements: Full Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering verification procedures are required before card activation, in compliance with Mastercard rules and EU regulations
• Regulatory Framework: The card operates under EU payment and AML regulations
• Institutional Partners:
  • Monetley Ltd (FCA-authorised Electronic Money Institution, FRN 900921) handles e-money issuing and safeguarding services
  • Quicko Sp. z o.o. serves as the card issuer/processor (Polish National Payment Institution supervised by KNF)

Security features include:

• 3-D Secure & Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for all e-commerce transactions
• Security codes delivered by SMS
• Transaction monitoring and anti-fraud controls via the Mastercard network
• Self-custody model where private keys remain with the user at all times until a transaction is initiated

Technical Details

Wallet Integration

The Mercuryo Spend Card offers exceptional technical integration capabilities:

• Can be directly embedded within non-custodial wallet provider applications
• Integration can be completed within a week for wallet providers and decentralized applications
• Specific versions designed for seamless integration with Ledger Live and Nova Wallet
• Supports multiple blockchains including Ethereum, Solana, Polkadot, TON, Near, ZKsync, and Injective

The card's architecture maintains self-custody of crypto assets until the moment of transaction, preserving the security benefits of non-custodial wallets while enabling practical spending.

Ecosystem Partnerships

Mercuryo has established strategic partnerships with key ecosystem players to expand the reach and functionality of the Spend Card:

• Ledger Integration (September 2024): The first major partnership brought the Mercuryo Spend Card to Ledger Live users, with support for Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDC, USDT, and other stablecoins.

• Nova Wallet Partnership (June 2025): Launched in Berlin, Germany, this collaboration created the first debit card specifically designed for the Polkadot ecosystem. The partnership structure includes:

  • Collaboration between Nova Wallet, Mercuryo, Quicko, and Mastercard
  • "Nova x Mercuryo Mastercard Debit Card" branding
  • Same underlying Quicko issuance structure as other versions
  • Direct Polkadot (DOT) token spending capabilities
  • Seamless integration within the Nova Wallet application

These ecosystem partnerships demonstrate Mercuryo's multi-chain strategy and commitment to expanding cryptocurrency spending options across different blockchain ecosystems.

User Experience

The Mercuryo Spend Card offers a streamlined user experience with some notable aspects:

• Virtual Card Management: The card is managed through either the Mercuryo app, Ledger Live, or Nova Wallet (depending on version)
• Activation Process: Instant digital issuance after completion of KYC verification
• Mobile Payment Integration: Seamless addition to Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments at point-of-sale and online
• Supported Use Cases:
  • Online purchases with 3-D Secure authentication
  • Point-of-sale payments via Apple Pay/Google Pay
  • Card top-ups to other services (e.g., Revolut top-ups)
• User Feedback: Early feedback praises the instant activation process and fee-free structure under fair usage

Some potential limitations in user experience include:

• No physical card option for users who prefer traditional plastic cards (though Mercuryo's B2B infrastructure supports physical cards for partners)
• No ATM withdrawal capability
• Some reports of service issues with the broader Mercuryo platform (unrelated to the Spend card specifically)
• Limited availability of comprehensive user reviews due to the card's recent launch

Best Suited For

The Mercuryo Spend Card is best suited for:

• Crypto Enthusiasts who want to use their digital assets for everyday purchases without sacrificing self-custody
• European Residents who have access to the card's current geographic availability
• Privacy-Focused Users who prefer to maintain control of their private keys until the moment of transaction
• Ledger Hardware Wallet Users who can benefit from the seamless integration with Ledger Live and support for BTC, ETH, USDC, USDT, and stablecoins
• Polkadot Ecosystem Participants who want to spend DOT tokens directly through the Nova Wallet integration
• Frequent International Travelers within the EEA who want to avoid currency conversion complications
• Active Spenders who will avoid inactivity fees through regular card usage

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Maintains self-custody of crypto assets until point of transaction
• Supports 40 cryptocurrencies across multiple blockchains (standard version)
• Seamless integration with Apple Pay and Google Pay
• No issuance or monthly fees under fair usage conditions
• Can be directly embedded within non-custodial wallet applications
• High monthly spending limit of €40,000
• Expanding ecosystem partnerships with Ledger and Nova Wallet
• Acceptance at over 150 million merchants worldwide
• Supports card top-ups to other services

Cons

• Limited to European Economic Area residents only
• No physical card option available for consumers
• €1/month inactivity fee after 3 consecutive months of no use
• 1% foreign exchange fee for non-EUR spending
• €0.30 declined transaction fee and €50 chargeback fee
• No cashback or rewards program currently available
• No ATM withdrawal capability
• Limited track record and user feedback due to recent launch

Conclusion

The Mercuryo Spend Card represents a significant advancement in bridging the gap between cryptocurrency holdings and everyday spending capabilities. Its most distinctive feature is the maintenance of self-custody until the point of transaction, which addresses a key concern for security-conscious crypto users who have traditionally had to choose between security and utility.

The card's integration capabilities make it particularly valuable for the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem, allowing wallet providers to embed spending functionality directly into their applications. This positions the Mercuryo Spend Card as an infrastructure solution as much as a consumer product.

The expansion into ecosystem-specific partnerships, first with Ledger and now with Nova Wallet for the Polkadot ecosystem, demonstrates Mercuryo's commitment to a multi-chain approach. The June 2025 launch of the first dedicated Polkadot ecosystem debit card shows continued momentum in expanding cryptocurrency spending options across different blockchain communities.

The fee structure has been refined to offer truly free issuance and maintenance for active users, with only a modest inactivity fee for dormant cards. However, users should be aware of transaction-specific fees including the 1% foreign exchange markup for non-EUR spending and fees for declined transactions and chargebacks.

The card faces notable limitations. Its geographic restriction to the European Economic Area significantly limits its potential user base, while the lack of a physical card option may deter users who prefer traditional payment methods. The virtual-only format also means no ATM withdrawal capability.

Compared to other crypto cards on the market, the Mercuryo Spend Card's primary differentiator is its focus on maintaining self-custody of assets until the moment of spending, which contrasts with competitors that typically require users to deposit funds into custodial accounts. This makes it particularly appealing to users who prioritize decentralization principles while wanting practical spending capabilities.

The card is best suited for European cryptocurrency enthusiasts who prioritize self-custody and want to use their digital assets for everyday purchases without compromising on security. As Mercuryo expands the card's availability, feature set, and ecosystem partnerships, it has the potential to become a significant player in the crypto-to-fiat payment space.

Additional Information

Service Quality Considerations

Historical user feedback on Mercuryo's broader services shows mixed reliability:

Upcoming Features

Several developments are planned for the Mercuryo Spend Card:

• Rewards Program: A cashback and rewards program is planned for future release
• Referral Program: Mentioned as "coming soon" in launch materials
• Geographic Expansion: Plans to extend availability beyond the European Economic Area
• Additional Asset Support: Continued expansion of supported cryptocurrencies across all versions

Regulatory Context

The Mercuryo Spend Card operates within a robust regulatory framework:

• E-Money Licensing: Monetley Ltd's FCA authorization brings the card under UK financial regulation
• Payment Processing: Quicko's status as a Polish National Payment Institution (supervised by KNF) ensures compliance with EU payment regulations
• Consumer Protection: Mandatory Strong Customer Authentication implementation provides enhanced security for online transactions

These regulatory relationships help explain both the enhanced security features and the current geographic limitations of the service.

Physical Card Availability

While the consumer-facing Mercuryo Spend Card is currently virtual-only, Mercuryo's B2B infrastructure does support physical card issuance for partner implementations. This suggests that physical cards may become available in the future, though no timeline has been announced for consumer access.