Osmosis Pay Card

OSMOpay Visa Prepaid: Non-Custodial Crypto Card for Osmosis DeFi Ecosystem

Basic Information

The OSMOpay Visa Card represents a bridge between the Osmosis DeFi ecosystem and traditional payment infrastructure. It allows users to spend their crypto assets directly at any merchant accepting Visa payments, with automatic conversion to fiat at the point of transaction. The card is powered by Cypher technology platform and integrates directly with Osmosis announcements and infrastructure.

Rewards and Benefits

The OSMOpay card does not offer traditional rewards like cashback or points systems. Instead, its primary benefits are:

• No Staking Requirements: Unlike many crypto cards, OSMOpay doesn't require users to stake tokens to access the card or its features
• Non-Custodial Design: Crypto assets remain in the user's self-custodied Osmosis wallet until the moment of conversion
• Yield Preservation: Users can keep assets in yield-bearing positions until they need to fund the card
• Direct DeFi Integration: Seamless connection to Osmosis DEX functionality
• No Monthly Fees: No recurring maintenance or subscription fees

The card lacks a formal referral program or tiered rewards structure.

Fees and Limits

The conversion process is straightforward: users select crypto assets from their Osmosis wallet to fund the card, and these assets are converted to USD with the applicable bank fee. For purchases in non-USD currencies, additional conversion happens at the point of sale through the Visa network.

Card Tiers and Options

OSMOpay now offers two distinct card tiers:

Both tiers require KYC; information collected includes ID and Proof of Address.

Top-Up Methods

Users top up the OSMOpay Visa card by selecting supported cryptocurrencies (such as USDC, USDY, ATOM, OSMO, or bridged USDT) directly from their self-custodied Osmosis wallet using the web portal or integrated wallet interfaces (e.g., Leap Wallet). Funds remain in the user's wallet until a card top-up is initiated; selected crypto assets are then instantly converted to USD at a 1% conversion fee, with no additional spread. After conversion, USD becomes available immediately for spending on the card, and custody of those funds transfers from the user's wallet to the card provider. The minimum and maximum top-up amounts are not explicitly stated, but users should note the $4,000 daily card spending limit. Pre-loading is required, meaning users must convert and load USD onto the card before making purchases, and top-ups can be managed entirely through the app-connected wallet or web interface.

Self-Custody Hybrid Custody

This card uses a hybrid custody model where users keep full control of their crypto in their own Osmosis wallet up until they decide to fund the card. When you want to spend, your chosen crypto is instantly converted to USD and deposited as a fiat balance managed by the card issuer. You have self-custody of your assets until the point of conversion, after which the USD balance is held by the platform and not protected by FDIC insurance. If the provider were to go offline, you would still have control over any unconverted crypto in your wallet, but any remaining fiat on the card would become inaccessible. This arrangement strikes a balance—users retain control and benefit from DeFi yields until spending, but must trust the platform for any funds converted to fiat.

Supported Currencies and Conversion

Cryptocurrency Support

OSMOpay supports crypto assets for card funding, with particular focus on:

• USDC: Supported across multiple chains including Ethereum, Solana, Noble, Base, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum, and Avalanche
  • Premium tier: 0% USDC load fee on eligible chains
  • Standard tier: 1% USDC load fee
  • BNB USDC: 0.5% (Premium) / 1% (Standard)
• USDY: Supported on Osmosis
• Other Osmosis Assets: Various assets available on the Osmosis platform

The list of supported assets is subject to change; users should check the current asset support for the latest information.

Fiat Currency Support

• Card Denomination: USD only
• Purchase Currencies: Can be used for purchases in any local currency where Visa is accepted
• Conversion Method: All crypto assets convert to USD on the card; USD is then converted to local currency at point of sale via Visa network

Geographic Availability

OSMOpay is available in 180+ countries worldwide, with the following regional coverage:

Americas

United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Barbados, and other Caribbean nations, Suriname, Guyana, Belize, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, Anguilla, Montserrat, Greenland, French Guiana, Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, and other Caribbean territories

Europe

United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Malta, Luxembourg, Iceland, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, Moldova, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands

Asia-Pacific

Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna

Middle East & Africa

United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, Israel, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mauritius, Angola, and other African nations

Restricted Countries:
Russia, Belarus, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Afghanistan, Sudan, South Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Ukraine, Venezuela, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Somalia, Burundi, Pakistan, Lebanon

The service is not available in the above restricted countries due to regulatory and compliance reasons.

Compliance and Security

KYC Requirements

KYC verification is required for all OSMOpay users. Both tiers require KYC; information collected includes ID and Proof of Address:

• Standard (Virtual) Card: Requires government-issued ID, facial verification/selfie, and personal details.
• Premium (Physical) Card: Requires enhanced KYC verification including proof of address documentation.

The card is issued via a Visa-issuing partner through Cypher and complies with international sanctions and AML regulations.

Security Features

OSMOpay employs several security measures:

• Custody Model: Non-custodial for crypto (remains in user's Osmosis wallet until conversion), custodial for USD balance after conversion (held by card issuer)
• Transaction Security: 3D Secure for online transactions
• Card Controls: Ability to lock/unlock card, custom spending limits
• Monitoring: Real-time transaction monitoring
• Physical Security: PIN protection for physical card
• Digital Security: Tokenization when used with mobile wallets

USD balances on the card are not FDIC-insured.

Technical Details

OSMOpay operates through a multi-party infrastructure:

• Frontend & Wallet Connection: Provided by Osmosis
• Card Technology & Conversion: Powered by Cypher
• Card Issuer: Issued via a Visa-issuing partner through Cypher
• Payment Network: Visa

The technical implementation allows users to connect existing Osmosis wallets (via Keplr, Leap, etc.) directly to the card service. The conversion process happens instantly, with assets remaining under user control until the moment they fund the card.

Leap Wallet offers direct integration for streamlined card management within the wallet interface.

User Experience

OSMOpay does not have a dedicated mobile app. Instead, card management is handled through:

• Web portal
• Wallet integrations (particularly Leap Wallet)
• Card functionalities include balance checking, transaction history, top-up, and security controls

Support is available through:

• 24/7 support via support.osmosis.zone
• Community channels (Osmosis forums and Discord)
• Users report the support experience as "better than any CEX out there"

User feedback is mixed:

• Positive: Easy onboarding, fast KYC, reliable transactions, responsive support
• Negative: High physical card fee, no rewards, KYC friction for some users, daily spending limits

No specific merchant category restrictions are mentioned.

Best Suited For

• Osmosis DeFi Users who want to spend their crypto assets without multiple conversion steps
• Self-Custody Advocates who prefer to maintain control of assets until the moment of spending
• Cosmos Ecosystem Participants who hold supported tokens and assets
• Fee-Conscious Spenders who prioritize competitive conversion fees over cashback rewards
• Global Crypto Users across the 180+ supported countries seeking fiat spending capability

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Non-custodial model keeps crypto in user's wallet until conversion
• No staking requirements or monthly fees
• Direct integration with Osmosis DEX ecosystem
• Competitive conversion fees (1% for Premium tier)
• Wide global availability (180+ countries)
• Premium tier offers 0% USDC load fees on eligible chains

Cons

• No cashback rewards program
• Expensive physical card ($50 shipping & production fee)
• Higher conversion fees on Standard tier (2%)
• Relatively high daily limits but may still restrict high-volume users
• Full KYC required, limiting privacy
• USD denomination only, with additional fees for non-USD transactions

Conclusion

The OSMOpay Visa Card effectively bridges the Osmosis DeFi ecosystem with traditional payment infrastructure through a unique non-custodial approach. Its standout features include the ability to maintain self-custody until the moment of spending, competitive conversion fees (especially on the Premium tier), and integration with the broader Cosmos ecosystem through Cypher's technology platform.

The card's value proposition centers on simplicity, control, and accessibility rather than rewards. Without staking requirements or monthly fees, it's accessible to all Osmosis users regardless of portfolio size. The Premium tier offers significant advantages including lower conversion fees and free USDC loading, making it attractive for frequent users despite the higher upfront cost.

OSMOpay distinguishes itself from competitors through its non-custodial design and direct DeFi integration rather than through premium perks or sophisticated reward structures. It represents a practical tool for Cosmos ecosystem participants who want straightforward access to their crypto's purchasing power in the traditional financial world.

Additional Information

Technical Integration Details

The technical flow for using the OSMOpay card follows these steps:

1. User connects their Osmosis wallet to the card portal
2. User completes KYC verification through the integrated interface
3. Upon approval, a virtual card is generated immediately
4. To fund the card, user selects assets from their wallet
5. Selected assets are converted to USD with applicable bank fee (2% Standard / 1% Premium)
6. USD balance becomes available on the card for immediate spending
7. For physical payments, users can add the card to Apple Pay/Google Pay or use the physical card

The Leap Wallet integration simplifies this process by incorporating card management directly into the wallet interface, eliminating the need to use separate platforms.

Fee minimization strategies include:

• Using the virtual card instead of paying for the physical card if ATM access isn't needed
• Upgrading to Premium tier for lower conversion fees and free USDC loading if usage justifies the upfront cost
• Using USDC on eligible chains to minimize load fees (especially on Premium tier)
• Adding the card to Apple/Google Pay for contactless payments
• Making larger, less frequent ATM withdrawals to reduce the impact of operator fees
• Declining Dynamic Currency Conversion offers from merchants for foreign transactions
• Only loading the amount needed to avoid having idle funds