Ready Card

Ready Metal Mastercard Prepaid: Self-Custodial Crypto Card with Premium Rewards

Basic Information

The Ready Metal Card (formerly Argent Metal Card) is a premium crypto-funded debit card that bridges the gap between cryptocurrency assets and everyday spending. What distinguishes this card from competitors is its self-custody model - users maintain complete control of their crypto assets until the moment of transaction, when USDC is converted to fiat currency at the point of purchase.

Rewards and Benefits

Cashback Program

The Ready Metal Card offers a tiered cashback program funded by the Starknet Foundation:

• 10% cashback in STRK during the first 30 days (on up to $1,500 spent)
• 3% cashback thereafter (on up to $5,000 spent each month)
• Maximum monthly rewards: $150 in STRK
• Maximum annual rewards: $1,800 in STRK
• Rewards distributed automatically on the 15th of each month
• No token staking or lockup required to earn rewards

The Ready Lite Card offers a more modest but still competitive cashback rate:

• 0.5% cashback (including first 30 days)
• Maximum monthly rewards: $150 in STRK
• No token staking or lockup required

Excluded transaction categories include gambling, ATM withdrawals, money transfers, and financial services.

Additional Perks

The Metal card includes several additional benefits:

• Free Layerswap bridging fees (refunded weekly, up to $100/month)
• 30% discount on Ramp Network crypto on-ramp fees (except UK)
• Partner discounts including:
  • Up to 25% off Nansen
  • 20% off Koinly
  • 15% off Airalo
  • 70%+ off NordVPN
• Non-transferable NFT for early cardholders that unlocks future perks

The Lite card does not include these additional perks.

Fees and Limits

Both cards have no monthly maintenance fees, no inactivity penalties, and no overdraft fees. Transactions simply decline if there are insufficient funds. Users who need higher spending limits can contact Ready's support team to request an increase beyond the standard $30,000 monthly limit.

Card Tiers and Options

Both the premium Ready Metal Card and the more accessible Ready Lite Card are now available. The Lite Card offers a more affordable entry point to Ready's self-custodial card ecosystem with a simplified feature set but maintains the core self-custody model.

To order the Ready Lite card, users must join a waitlist. Once eligible (approximately 2-week wait time), they'll receive an email notification and can then order the card directly from the Ready app after completing ID verification.

Top-Up Methods

The Ready Metal Mastercard does not require pre-loading or traditional top-ups; instead, USDC is drawn automatically and in real time from the user's self-custodial Ready wallet at the moment of purchase. Only USDC is supported for spending (other cryptocurrencies require manual conversion to USDC before use), and users maintain full control of their funds until transactions occur, with no need to transfer assets to the card provider in advance. There are no top-up fees, conversion fees, or waiting periods—all conversions to local currency happen instantly at the point of sale using Mastercard's official rates. Card management and authorization are handled entirely within the Ready mobile app, and users can revoke the card’s spending permissions at any time. There are no minimum or maximum top-up amounts, but the monthly spending limit is $30,000, and custody only shifts from user wallet to provider for the exact purchase value when a transaction is made.

Self-Custody True Self-Custody

The Ready Metal Card employs a self-custody model where users maintain complete control of their crypto assets—held in their own Ready smart contract wallet—until the exact moment of transaction. Users authorize a session key permission to the regulated card issuer partner (Kulipa), enabling USDC payments directly from the user's wallet at point of sale without transferring funds to any custodial account. This maintains user sovereignty throughout the holding period. The custody transfers only at the moment the USDC is converted to fiat for payment during the transaction. Limitations include support for USDC only, an annual membership fee, and geographic restrictions to UK and EEA residents. Users must also complete KYC through the card issuer. If the card issuer ceases operations, users retain control of their funds in their wallets since funds are not held custodially by Ready or Kulipa.

Supported Currencies and Conversion

Both Ready cards currently support only USD Coin (USDC) for funding transactions. Ready has indicated that "additional cryptocurrencies may be added in the future" but has not specified which ones or when.

For spending, the cards support all currencies accepted by Mastercard globally. Key conversion features include:

• USDC is treated as exactly $1.00 USD for spending purposes
• Automatic conversion to merchant's local currency at point of sale
• Uses Mastercard's official exchange rates with no additional markup
• No geographical restrictions on currency usage
• No pre-conversion or batch processing required - conversion happens at time of transaction

The transparent 1:1 conversion approach with no hidden fees distinguishes Ready from competitors that often incorporate hidden spreads into their exchange rates.

Geographic Availability

The Ready cards are now available globally with the following exceptions:

Restricted Countries

• United States
• Heavily sanctioned countries including Afghanistan, North Korea, and other jurisdictions subject to international sanctions

The cards can be ordered from anywhere in the world except these restricted locations. This represents a significant expansion from the initial UK and EEA-only availability.

While card issuance is available globally (except restricted countries), the cards themselves can be used worldwide for spending anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

Compliance and Security

KYC Requirements

To receive either Ready card, users must complete a standard KYC process through Kulipa (Ready's regulated partner):

• Photo ID verification
• Proof of residency in a supported region
• One-time process required before card issuance

Ready does not process or store KYC data directly - this is handled by Kulipa, their regulated card issuer partner.

Security Features

Both Ready cards incorporate several security features:

• Self-custody model - Ready never holds or controls user funds
• Smart contract "session key" permissions enable card transactions while maintaining user control
• Instant card freeze/unfreeze via the Ready Mobile app
• PIN-protected transactions and biometric protection for viewing card details
• Delayed transaction settlement enhances privacy
• Transaction notifications and activity monitoring

Ready claims a "7 years, 0 hacks" record for their smart contracts and has pioneered security features such as social recovery without seed phrases.

Technical Details

Card Format

Metal Card:

• Physical metal card weighing 16 grams
• Mechanically engraved design
• Available in gold or platinum finish options
• Apple Pay and Google Pay integration in development

Lite Card:

• Standard plastic card
• Apple Pay and Google Pay integration in development

Integration with Ready Ecosystem

Both cards are fully integrated with the broader Ready ecosystem:

• Ordered directly from the Ready Mobile app after completing ID verification
• One unified account for all activity—earn, spend, and manage crypto
• Clear transaction history available in the app
• DeFi integrations allow users to grow their crypto while using the card
• Connection to Starknet and Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solutions
• Built on a foundation of smart contract technology integrated with traditional payment rails
• In-app IBAN numbers coming next month for enhanced banking integration

The cards use a technical architecture based on account abstraction features in Ready's smart contract wallet. When a user activates the card, they authorize a session key through their wallet's smart contract, allowing Kulipa to initiate USDC payments within set parameters while maintaining user sovereignty.

User Experience

The Ready card experience is centered around the Ready mobile app (iOS/Android), which provides:

• Card management integrated directly in the app
• Real-time transaction history and notifications
• Balance and reward tracking
• One-tap card freeze/unfreeze functionality
• Secure display of card details with biometric authentication
• PIN retrieval/management
• Direct access to partner perks and discounts (Metal card only)
• In-app IBAN numbers (coming next month)

Limited public user feedback is available due to the cards' recent launch, but early reports indicate positive reception for the seamless spending experience and self-custody model. Metal card users particularly appreciate the premium feel of the physical metal card. The main complaints noted relate to regional availability limitations.

Some users may experience a learning curve if they're new to self-custody wallets, and the USDC-only spending model requires users to manually convert other cryptocurrencies to USDC.

BTC Loan Product

Ready has recently launched a Bitcoin loan product that complements the card offering. This feature allows users to:

• Borrow USDC against their Bitcoin holdings as collateral
• Use the borrowed USDC directly with their Ready card for spending
• Maintain exposure to Bitcoin price appreciation while accessing liquidity
• Avoid selling Bitcoin to fund card transactions

This loan product enhances the utility of the Ready card ecosystem by enabling Bitcoin holders to spend without liquidating their cryptocurrency positions. The borrowed USDC can be used immediately with either the Metal or Lite card, providing a seamless bridge between Bitcoin holdings and everyday spending needs.

Best Suited For

Metal Card:

• Crypto natives who value self-custody while wanting everyday spending capabilities
• Regular spenders who can maximize the cashback benefits to offset the annual fee
• International travelers who benefit from zero foreign exchange fees and global acceptance
• Starknet ecosystem participants who want to earn STRK rewards through everyday spending
• Privacy-conscious users who prefer the self-custody model and delayed settlement for enhanced privacy
• Bitcoin holders who want to access liquidity through the BTC loan product while maintaining exposure

Lite Card:

• Crypto beginners looking for an entry-level self-custodial card with minimal cost
• Occasional spenders who want the benefits of self-custody without a premium fee
• Budget-conscious users who prefer a free card with modest cashback
• Those new to crypto who want to experiment with crypto spending before committing to a premium card

Pros and Cons

Pros

• True self-custody model maintains crypto ownership principles
• Two card tiers to accommodate different user needs and budgets
• No hidden fees or exchange rate markups on either card
• Premium metal card option with elegant design
• Seamless integration with Ready wallet ecosystem
• Global acceptance through Mastercard network (except US and sanctioned countries)
• Apple Pay and Google Pay integration coming soon
• BTC loan product enables spending without selling Bitcoin
• In-app IBAN numbers coming for enhanced banking features

Cons

• 120 USDC annual fee for Metal card may deter casual users
• Currently only supports USDC for spending
• Not available in the United States
• Cashback rewards capped at $150 monthly
• Requires use of Ready's specific wallet ecosystem
• Lite card offers limited perks compared to competitors

Conclusion

The Ready card lineup (formerly Argent) represents a significant evolution in crypto payment cards by offering a self-custodial solution that doesn't compromise on user experience or benefits. With the introduction of the Lite card alongside the premium Metal option, Ready has made its self-custody model accessible to a broader range of users with different needs and budgets.

The Metal card's 3% cashback program (with 10% introductory rate) funded by the Starknet Foundation provides substantial value that can easily offset the annual fee for regular users. At maximum utilization, users can earn up to $1,800 annually in STRK tokens, making it one of the more rewarding crypto cards available. When combined with partner perks and the absence of conversion fees, the value proposition is compelling for active cryptocurrency users.

The Lite card offers a more accessible entry point with no annual fee and a modest 0.5% cashback rate. While it lacks the premium perks of the Metal card, it maintains the core self-custody model and zero-fee approach that distinguishes Ready from many competitors.

Where Ready truly differentiates itself is in its philosophical approach - rather than asking users to surrender their assets to a custodian, it leverages smart contract technology to maintain self-custody while enabling seamless spending. This aligns with cryptocurrency's core values of financial sovereignty and decentralization.

The recent addition of the BTC loan product further enhances the ecosystem by allowing Bitcoin holders to access liquidity without selling their holdings, while the upcoming in-app IBAN numbers will provide additional banking integration features.

The primary limitations are the exclusion of US residents and the USDC-only funding model. These factors make it less accessible to US users or those who primarily hold other cryptocurrencies.

For crypto-native individuals in supported regions who make regular purchases and value maintaining control of their assets, the Ready card lineup delivers on its promise of bridging decentralized finance with everyday spending in a secure, rewarding way.

Additional Information

Technical Architecture

The Ready Card relies on Ready's smart contract wallet infrastructure, particularly leveraging "account abstraction" features that enable the card's self-custody model. When a user activates the card, they authorize a session key for Kulipa (Ready's card partner) through their wallet's smart contract. This session key allows Kulipa to initiate USDC payments from the wallet on behalf of the user, but only within set parameters and limitations.

This approach differs significantly from other crypto cards that require moving funds to custodial accounts. Instead, the session key concept allows for programmatic permissions that maintain user sovereignty while enabling automatic transactions when the card is used. Users can revoke this permission at any time through the app, instantly cutting off the card's ability to draw from their wallet.

Comparison with Competitors

While many crypto cards exist, Ready's offering has several distinguishing factors:

• Self-Custody: Unlike exchange cards from Coinbase, Binance, or Crypto.com, Ready never takes custody of user funds
• No Staking Requirements: Many competitors require staking their native token to unlock rewards (e.g., Crypto.com requires CRO staking for higher tiers)
• Reward Structure: 3% flat cashback with no staking is among the highest uncomplicated rewards in the market
• Fee Transparency: Absence of FX fees, conversion fees, and hidden charges contrasts with some competitors who profit from these margins
• Tiered Options: With both Metal and Lite cards, Ready now offers options for different user needs and budgets
• BTC Loan Integration: The ability to borrow against Bitcoin while spending with the card is unique in the market

The Metal card's annual fee positions it as a premium product, but the value proposition is strong for users who would spend enough to earn substantial cashback. The Lite card offers a more accessible entry point with its one-time shipping fee of $6.99, making the self-custody model available to a broader audience.