Solayer Card

Solayer Emerald Card Visa Credit Review: Fees, Rewards & Availability

Basic Information

The Solayer Emerald Card creates a direct bridge between decentralized finance and everyday spending without requiring traditional banking infrastructure.

The Solayer Emerald Card functions as a standard Visa card at point of sale while leveraging blockchain technology for settlement. It operates on a non-custodial on-chain model where funds (USDC/sUSD) remain in user-controlled wallets until settlement, while maintaining formal credit-style obligations including 0% APR structure with late and returned payment fees and repayment obligations with statements.

Rewards and Benefits

Cashback Program

The Solayer Emerald Card offers a permanent cashback structure in addition to its ecosystem rewards:

New User Bonus:

• 10% cashback on first transaction (capped at $50 equivalent)

Ongoing Cashback:

• 1% cashback on all eligible everyday spending
• Subject to spending caps (up to $1,000 in eligible spend per promotional period)
• Earned in addition to Emerald Points and future $LAYER token rewards

This cashback model provides predictable value alongside the card's unique partner token rewards program.

Historical Promotion (Ended):
A limited-time promotional campaign ran from July 29, 2025 through August 29, 2025, offering enhanced cashback rates. This promotion has concluded, with the current 10% first transaction + 1% ongoing structure now serving as the standard cashback baseline.

Emerald Rewards Program

Instead of relying solely on traditional cashback, the Solayer Emerald Card offers a unique "Emerald Rewards" program where purchases earn points redeemable through partner project campaigns. These rewards are distributed as:

• Partner protocol tokens and airdrops
• Special access to ecosystem opportunities
• Crypto rewards from participating platforms
• Future $LAYER token airdrops

The Season 2 points table is now live, with a clear multiplier structure:

• Earn 1-5× points per US$1 spent (e.g., a US$500 purchase earns 1,500 points)
• Points accumulate based on spending tiers and can be redeemed through the Solayer dashboard

Current Partner Rewards and Airdrops:

• 30% off Messari Pro for cardholders
• ChainGPT quest pays up to US$2,500 in $CGPT tokens (promotional campaign)
• Verified BTC and NUBI airdrops worth US$5-100 per user via Nubit & Nubila Network
• First crypto Visa card to integrate with Bitcoin Thunderbolt through Nubit partnership, offering Genesis Emerald Rewards via BTC and PolyPass benefits

Balance Yield Generation

Cardholders can earn approximately 4% APY on unspent balances by converting to Solayer's sUSD stablecoin, which is backed by tokenized U.S. Treasury bills. This feature allows users to generate passive income on funds not actively being spent. The yield mechanism is explicitly positioned as "Treasury-backed on-chain savings" in Solayer's documentation.

Additional Benefits:

• No token staking requirements to qualify for rewards
• Referral program offering 10% of all reward points accumulated by referred friends
• Priority customer support for cardholders
• Community event invitations and exclusive experiences
• Early access to beta test new Solayer products
• Special privileges with partner protocols and dApps
• Automatic eligibility for future ecosystem airdrops
• Real-time transaction notifications via Telegram

Fees and Limits

The Solayer Emerald Card has a competitive fee structure with no monthly or annual maintenance fees, though users should be aware of transaction and penalty fees.

Penalty Fees (Credit Terms):

The Solayer Emerald Card uses real-time conversion from USDC to local currency at the point of sale using Visa's exchange rates. While there are no monthly or annual maintenance fees, users should be aware of the per-transaction fees, especially for international purchases which incur both the 1.5% currency conversion fee and potential cross-border fees up to 3%.

Card Tiers and Options

Both card tiers provide the same core functionality of non-custodial crypto spending and reward earning capabilities. The main difference is the physical metal card's ability to be used for in-person transactions and ATM withdrawals, while the standard digital card is limited to online purchases and mobile wallet payments.

A new feature allows primary cardholders to issue sub-cards to family members or employees, each with its own spending limits. Transactions from sub-cards are tracked in the main dashboard, providing comprehensive spending oversight.

Top-Up Methods

The Solayer Emerald Card uses a non-custodial model, meaning users do not pre-load a card balance; instead, purchases directly deduct USDC from their connected Solana wallet in real time at the point of sale. The card currently only supports USDC on the Solana network for spending, and funds remain under user control (self-custody) until a transaction occurs—there is no requirement to move funds to the card provider ahead of time. Topping up effectively involves holding sufficient USDC in your wallet, which is linked via the web-based dashboard or compatible Solana wallet integrations (such as Phantom or Solflare); no fiat top-ups or exchanges of multiple cryptocurrencies are allowed. A 1% top-up fee is mentioned, but since spending happens in real-time from your own wallet, this may apply only to optional yield-generating sUSD conversions or if using a bridge provided by Solayer. Key limitations: only USDC (Solana) is supported, and only digital card use is currently available (physical cards are pending).

Self-Custody True Self-Custody

The Solayer Emerald Card uses a non-custodial model, allowing users to maintain full control of their crypto assets—specifically USDC on Solana—right up until the point of purchase. When making a transaction, the required crypto is simply deducted from the user's own wallet in real time after approval, so there’s no need to pre-load a card or transfer funds to a company-controlled account. Practically speaking, this means users retain self-custody and can access their funds independently at all times, even if Solayer were to cease operations. This approach brings greater security and user autonomy compared to custodial cards but may require a compatible wallet and some familiarity with crypto transactions. Market volatility risks are limited, as USDC is a stablecoin and purchases convert directly at the current exchange rate. Users benefit from transparency and don't risk losing access to their holdings through platform failure, though the card's use is restricted to supported regions and assets.

Supported Currencies and Conversion

The Solayer Emerald Card currently supports:

• USD Coin (USDC) on Solana/SVM (primary spending asset)
• Solayer USD (sUSD) for yield-bearing balance (convertible to USDC)
• EVM-based assets are planned via InfiniSVM and sBridge but are not yet live for card spending

For fiat currencies, the card operates in USD as its base currency but supports transactions in any local currency accepted by Visa worldwide. All transactions are settled in local currency at the point of sale, with conversion from USDC occurring in real-time using Visa's exchange rates.

The conversion process is fully automated:

1. User initiates a purchase with the card
2. Transaction is processed through Visa's network
3. Merchant receives payment in local fiat currency
4. Equivalent USDC is simultaneously deducted from user's linked wallet
5. 1.5% currency conversion fee applies for non-USD transactions
6. Cross-border fees up to 3% may apply on some international transactions

The card is positioned as one of three pillars in Solayer's SVM Collective ecosystem (Payment Layer = Emerald Card, Bridge = sBridge, Infrastructure = InfiniSVM), with cross-chain spending capabilities planned through sBridge integration.

Geographic Availability

The Solayer Emerald Card is available in many regions worldwide, except for the restricted countries and U.S. states listed in Solayer's official eligibility documentation.

U.S. Availability:

The Solayer Emerald Card is available in most U.S. states but is not available to residents of: Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Restricted Countries and Territories:

The following countries and territories are not eligible for the Solayer Emerald Card due to compliance with international sanctions and regulatory requirements:

Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Central African Republic, China, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Darfur, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kosovo, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Korea, Norway, Palau, Palestinian Territory, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen

Solayer continuously reviews regulatory developments and may expand or restrict availability accordingly.

Compliance and Security

The Solayer Emerald Card implements several compliance and security measures:

Identity Verification:

• Government-issued ID verification required
• Minimum age requirement: 18+
• Proof of residency in a supported country
• 3-5 business day approval process
• Digital KYC through Solayer application interface

Security Features:

• Instant card freeze/unfreeze via dashboard
• Real-time transaction monitoring and Telegram notifications
• Wallet-based access security
• Standard Visa fraud monitoring and dispute resolution

Custody Model:

• Fully non-custodial: users maintain control of assets in their own wallet until spending
• No centralized custody of user funds

Regulatory Compliance:

• Complies with international KYC/AML regulations through card-issuing partner
• Integrates with SolanaID for decentralized identity verification

Insurance and Protection:

• No FDIC or deposit insurance on crypto funds
• Standard Visa Zero Liability policy likely applies for fraudulent transactions

Technical Details

Blockchain Infrastructure

The Solayer Emerald Card is built on Solayer's proprietary InfiniSVM blockchain network, which offers:

• High-speed transaction processing capability (300,000+ transactions per second)
• Compatibility with Solana's SVM architecture
• Seamless integration with Solana wallets (Phantom, Solflare, etc.)
• Real-time on-chain settlement for card transactions
• Hardware-accelerated infrastructure enabling planned cross-chain spending
• Integration with sBridge for future EVM compatibility

This infrastructure enables the non-custodial model where users maintain control of their assets until the moment of purchase, eliminating the need for pre-funding a centralized account. The card is positioned as the Payment Layer within Solayer's three-pillar SVM Collective ecosystem (Payment Layer = Emerald Card, Bridge = sBridge, Infrastructure = InfiniSVM).

Transaction Settlement Process

The card uses a credit-style settlement model:

1. Transactions are instantly approved at merchants
2. Merchant receives immediate payment through the Visa network
3. Transaction is simultaneously settled on-chain from the user's linked wallet
4. Full transaction transparency maintained through blockchain settlement
5. Real-time notifications delivered via Telegram

This hybrid approach combines traditional payment network reliability with blockchain security and autonomy. The technical implementation allows for real-time conversion at the point of transaction with the amount shown in both crypto and fiat currencies.

User Experience

The Solayer Emerald Card offers a web-first user experience with mobile compatibility:

• Web-based Solayer dashboard with dedicated card management section
• Mobile-responsive web interface (no dedicated native mobile app)
• Compatible with popular Solana wallets for seamless integration
• Real-time transaction history, balance tracking, and card controls
• Direct deposit from connected Solana wallet for top-ups
• Sub-card management for family members or employees, each with customizable spending limits
• Real-time transaction notifications via Telegram

Support and Communication:

• Primary support through Discord community with team moderators
• Language support presumably in English (not explicitly stated)

User Feedback and Experience:

• Early reports indicate a seamless spending experience
• Some concerns reported about waitlist delays and reward complexity
• $75 entry fee seen as high by some prospective users (though students get 85% off)
• Positive reception to the U.S. expansion and travel platform integration

No specific merchant category restrictions have been mentioned, suggesting the card works across all Visa-supported merchant categories.

Best Suited For

• Crypto-native Solana users who want to spend directly from their holdings without converting to fiat first
• International travelers who value borderless spending capabilities and want to avoid traditional banking fees
• Yield-seekers who want to earn passive income on unspent balances while maintaining spending power
• Privacy-focused individuals who prefer the non-custodial model keeping control of their assets
• Ecosystem enthusiasts who want to participate in partner token airdrops and rewards programs
• Frequent travelers looking to leverage wholesale hotel rates through the Solayer Travel platform
• Students seeking affordable crypto payment solutions with the 85% discount on activation fees

Pros and Cons

Pros

• True non-custodial model eliminates centralized custody risks
• No monthly or annual maintenance fees
• Potential to earn ~4% APY on unspent balances backed by U.S. Treasury bills
• Dual rewards: 1% cashback plus innovative partner token airdrops and Emerald Points
• 10% cashback bonus on first transaction for new users
• Seamless integration with mobile wallets for contactless payments
• Global acceptance at 150+ million Visa merchants in ~200 countries
• Sub-card functionality for family or business expense management
• Travel platform integration with 1M+ hotels and average ~35% savings (up to 60% off)
• Student discount offering 85% off activation fee
• Real-time transaction notifications via Telegram

Cons

• Limited availability in 18 U.S. states and over 60 restricted countries
• $75 pre-order fee for general waitlist access (though significantly reduced for students)
• Transaction fees on every purchase (especially higher for international transactions with cross-border fees up to 3%)
• Currently only supports USDC and sUSD on Solana/SVM (EVM support planned but not yet live)
• Physical cards not yet available, limiting in-person usability
• Rewards value less predictable than traditional fixed-percentage cashback for ecosystem rewards
• Credit-style penalty fees (late payment up to $40, returned payment up to $29)
• 1% top-up fee when loading USDC onto card

Conclusion

The Solayer Emerald Card represents a significant advancement in cryptocurrency payment solutions by maintaining self-custody while offering traditional card convenience. Its standout innovation is the non-custodial model that eliminates centralized custody risk while providing seamless real-world spending capabilities at 150+ million Visa merchants worldwide.

The card strikes a balance between traditional financial systems and cryptocurrency functionality, offering Visa's global acceptance network combined with blockchain settlement. The dual rewards structure—combining predictable 1% cashback with ecosystem partner token airdrops—provides both stability and upside potential. The potential for ~4% APY yield generation on unspent balances backed by U.S. Treasury bills can help offset transaction fees for many users.

Recent enhancements including the permanent cashback program, student discount offering 85% off activation fees, and the Solayer Travel platform integration with 1M+ hotels have significantly strengthened the card's value proposition. The integration with Bitcoin Thunderbolt through Nubit partnership positions it as the first crypto Visa card with this capability.

For users already active in the Solana ecosystem who value self-custody and want direct spending capabilities, the Solayer Emerald Card offers compelling advantages over competitors that require pre-funding or centralized custody. As physical cards become available and EVM support launches through sBridge integration, the value proposition is likely to strengthen further. The card's positioning as the Payment Layer within Solayer's broader SVM Collective ecosystem suggests ongoing development and feature expansion.

Additional Information

Launch Partnerships

The Emerald Card launched with several ecosystem partners including Solana ID, Sonic, Nightly, OpenEden, Cudis, and Buidlpad. These partnerships enable special integrations and reward opportunities that enhance the card's utility within the broader Solana ecosystem.

Partner projects participate in the Emerald Rewards program, offering their tokens as potential rewards for cardholders. This ecosystem approach creates a network effect that potentially increases value for all participants as the platform grows.

Recent partner additions include:

• Messari (30% discount on Pro subscription)
• ChainGPT (token quest rewards)
• Nubit & Nubila Network (BTC and NUBI airdrops, Bitcoin Thunderbolt integration)

Waitlist Structure

The card initially targeted Solayer's existing community members, specifically:

• Approximately 40,000 participants in their Community Sale and Genesis Drop programs
• Community Sale participants receive free card activation
• Genesis Drop recipients pay a reduced $10 activation fee
• General public must join a waitlist with a $75 pre-order fee
• Students with verified .edu email addresses pay only $11.25 (85% off using code STUDNT)

The program includes a referral mechanism where existing cardholders earn invites that allow friends to bypass the waitlist for every $1,000 spent, creating an organic growth mechanism that rewards active users.

The yield mechanism offering ~4% APY on balances is achieved through conversion to sUSD, which is backed by tokenized U.S. Treasury bills. This provides a relatively stable return mechanism based on real-world assets rather than crypto lending or staking. Users can opt in or out of this yield feature, with yields paid in USDC, making it accessible even to small balance holders.

Travel Platform Integration

Solayer has launched "Solayer Travel," a dedicated travel platform that offers significant benefits to Emerald Card holders:

• Access to 1M+ hotels worldwide
• Average savings of ~35% cheaper than traditional online travel agencies (OTAs)
• Up to 60% off in optimal cases
• Continued earning of Emerald Points on all travel bookings
• Sub-card issuance capability for family members or employees
• Individual spending limits for each sub-card
• Centralized dashboard for tracking all card activity

This integration positions the Emerald Card as a premier crypto travel card and creates additional utility beyond everyday spending. The travel platform is fully integrated with the card's existing infrastructure, allowing for seamless booking and payment experiences.

Student Discount Program

The Solayer Emerald Card offers a substantial discount for students:

• 85% off lifetime activation fee for verified students
• Activation cost reduced from $75 to $11.25
• Requires verified student email address (.edu or equivalent)
• Use promotional code STUDNT during signup
• All standard card features and benefits included
• No additional restrictions or limitations for student accounts

This program makes the card significantly more accessible to students interested in crypto payments and DeFi integration.