Ready Card

Ready Metal Mastercard Prepaid Review: Fees, Rewards & Availability

Basic Information

The Ready Card (formerly Argent 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

Ready Rewards Program

Ready Card replaced its previous STRK cashback program with Ready Rewards points from May 1, 2026. The new system rewards broader app activity beyond just card spending:

Ready Metal Card:

• 3 points per $1 on eligible card spending
• 0.6 points per $1 when buying or selling tokens in the Ready app
• Points become available after transaction settlement (usually within 1 day) plus a 7-day grace period

Ready Lite Card:

• No rewards on card spending
• 0.3 points per $1 when buying or selling tokens in the Ready app only

Points Redemption:

• Points can be used to refund eligible card purchases in USDC
• Must have enough points to refund the full purchase amount
• Points do not currently expire while Ready Rewards remains active
• People based in Mainland China cannot spend Ready Rewards points

Excluded Transactions:
Transactions in Mainland China, Russia, and Iran are excluded from reward eligibility. Other excluded categories include gambling, ATM withdrawals, money transfers, and financial services.

Points Boosts

Ready Metal Card users can earn point boosts through specific activities:

• Referral Boost: Refer 2 Metal users to earn a 2x boost for 30 days
• Power Spender Boost: Top 100 most frequent card users each month receive a 2x boost the following month
• Combined Boosts: When both boosts are active, users can earn up to 9 points per $1 on card spending

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
• Coming Soon: Subscription benefits for Claude, Netflix, and Spotify (points-based benefit system)

The Lite card does not include these additional perks.

Fees and Limits

Ready Card fees are structured with a clear distinction between the premium Metal tier and the more accessible Lite option, with transparent pricing and no hidden conversion markups.

Both cards have no monthly maintenance fees, no inactivity penalties, and no overdraft fees. Transactions simply decline if there are insufficient funds. Limits are per user, not per card, and reset monthly on a rolling basis. Users who need higher spending limits can contact Ready's support team to request an increase beyond the standard $30,000 30-day limit.

Important Note on ATM Fees: Third-party ATM provider fees may also apply in addition to Ready's fees.

Important Note on Refunds: Automatic refunds are not supported by Ready's card provider. Refunds are applied against future card spending unless you specifically request a manual refund to return the balance immediately.

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 but with significantly reduced benefits including no card spending rewards and additional fees for foreign exchange and ATM withdrawals.

To order either Ready card, users complete ID verification through the Ready app and can then order the card directly after KYC approval.

Top-Up Methods

• No pre-loading required
• Funds deducted from user's self-custodial wallet at purchase
• Supports USDC and USDC.e only
• Card connected and authorized via Ready mobile app

Self-Custody True Self-Custody

• Users retain full control of private keys at all times
• Funds remain in user's wallet until moment of transaction; spending authorized via smart contract session key
• If provider ceased operations, users keep full access to their assets

Supported Currencies and Conversion

Ready Card currently supports USDC only for funding transactions. Users can top up USDC through several methods including traditional bank deposits via the Fund button, bridging from another chain, sending from another Starknet wallet, or topping up with a card. 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 for Metal (1% FX fee for Lite)
• Global usage wherever Mastercard is accepted
• No pre-conversion or batch processing required - conversion happens at time of transaction

However, transactions in Mainland China, Russia, and Iran are excluded from reward eligibility, though the cards can still be used for spending in these locations where Mastercard is accepted.

Important Note: For first in-store purchases, you may need to insert the card and enter your PIN before contactless payments will work.

Geographic Availability

Ready Card availability varies by region, with current documentation indicating some countries cannot issue new cards due to regulatory requirements. Users must apply in-app after completing KYC to determine eligibility in their specific location.

Card Usage

The cards can be used globally for spending anywhere Mastercard is accepted, with Ready reporting card spend across 120+ countries worldwide. However, rewards eligibility has geographic restrictions, with transactions in Mainland China, Russia, and Iran excluded from earning points or cashback.

Ready's delivery guidance mentions Europe and "other countries" for shipping, but a comprehensive public list of all supported issuance countries is not currently available in their public documentation.

Banking & Financial Services

Ready has integrated banking services to complement the card offering, supporting deposits from 6 currencies across 150 countries according to their homepage claims:

Bank Deposits

• Traditional bank deposit functionality via the Fund button in the app
• Automatic conversion of bank deposits to USDC for immediate card spending
• Multi-currency support with Ready claiming support for 6 currencies across 150 countries
• Direct integration with the Ready Card for seamless spending

Payment Rails

• Integration with traditional payment infrastructure for funding
• Instant conversion and availability for card transactions
• No additional fees for bank deposit conversions

This banking integration eliminates the need for manual crypto purchases, allowing users to fund their self-custodial spending directly from traditional bank accounts while maintaining the security benefits of the self-custody model.

Compliance and Security

KYC Requirements

Ready Card requires completion of a standard KYC process with multiple parties involved:

• ID verification is handled by Kulipa, the regulated card issuer
• KYC processing is carried out by Persona (KYC provider)
• Ready does not process or store KYC details directly
• One-time process required before card issuance
• Proof of residency in a supported region required

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
• Google Pay support (Apple Pay in development)

Lite Card:

• Standard plastic card
• Google Pay support (Apple Pay 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
• Integrated bank deposit functionality via the Fund button

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)
• Fund button for traditional bank deposits

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 and make regular purchases to maximize points earning
• Frequent spenders who can utilize the points system and partner perks effectively
• International travelers who benefit from zero foreign exchange fees and global acceptance

Lite Card:

• Token traders who primarily want to earn points on crypto buy/sell activity rather than card spending

Pros and Cons

Pros

• True self-custody model maintains crypto ownership principles
• Points system rewards both spending and trading activity
• No foreign exchange fees for Metal card
• Global usage through Mastercard network
• Integrated banking with traditional deposit options

Cons

• 120 USDC annual fee for Metal card
• Lite card no longer earns rewards on spending
• Currently only supports USDC for transactions
• Points redemption requires full purchase amount coverage
• Geographic restrictions on rewards eligibility

Conclusion

Ready Card has evolved significantly with the introduction of Ready Rewards points system, moving away from simple STRK cashback to a more comprehensive rewards ecosystem. The Metal card maintains its position as a premium offering with up to 3% back in points (potentially reaching 9 points per $1 with boosts), while the Lite card has been repositioned primarily for users interested in earning rewards on token trading rather than card spending.

The Metal card's value proposition remains strong for active cryptocurrency users who make regular purchases and can benefit from the 0% foreign exchange fees and extensive partner perks. The points system allows for flexible redemption through USDC refunds on eligible purchases, though users must accumulate enough points to cover full purchase amounts.

The Lite card's appeal has shifted considerably with the removal of card spending rewards and addition of a 1% foreign exchange fee. It now serves primarily as an entry-level option for users who want access to Ready's self-custody model without premium features, or for those who primarily trade tokens within the app rather than spend with the card.

Where Ready continues to differentiate itself is through its philosophical commitment to self-custody - users never surrender their assets to a custodian, instead leveraging smart contract technology to maintain control while enabling seamless spending. The integrated banking services and BTC loan product further enhance the ecosystem by providing traditional banking integration and liquidity options.

The primary limitations remain the USDC-only funding model and geographic restrictions on both card issuance and rewards eligibility. The exclusion of major markets like Mainland China, Russia, and Iran from rewards eligibility may impact the card's appeal for international users.

For crypto-native individuals in supported regions who value maintaining control of their assets while earning rewards on both spending and trading activity, Ready Card continues to deliver on its promise of bridging decentralized finance with everyday spending, though users should carefully consider which tier aligns with their usage patterns.

Additional Information

Technical Architecture

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)
• Dual Reward Structure: Points earned on both card spending and token trading activity is unique in the market
• Fee Transparency: Metal card's absence of FX fees contrasts with competitors who profit from these margins
• Tiered Options: Clear differentiation between Metal and Lite cards for different user needs
• BTC Loan Integration: The ability to borrow against Bitcoin while spending with the card is unique in the market
• Banking Integration: Traditional bank deposit functionality sets Ready apart from purely crypto-funded competitors

The Metal card's annual fee positions it as a premium product, while the Lite card's removal of spending rewards makes it primarily suitable for users focused on token trading rather than card spending. The points system offers flexibility but requires users to accumulate sufficient points for full purchase refunds, which may be less convenient than traditional cashback systems.