Volet Card

Volet Visa/Mastercard/UnionPay Prepaid Debit: Multi-Currency Crypto-to-Fiat Spending Solution

Basic Information

Volet Card serves as a financial bridge between cryptocurrency holdings and everyday spending. After converting crypto to fiat within the Volet platform, users can load their cards for spending at merchants or ATM withdrawals wherever their respective card network is accepted. All cards require manual loading from the Volet wallet before use, with funds available instantly once loaded.

The platform operates through officially licensed financial institutions, with cards personalized with the cardholder's name and supporting contactless payments. All physical cards feature the standard Volet design (black with the "vo/et" logo).

Rewards and Benefits

Unlike many crypto cards, Volet does not offer a permanent cashback rewards program on any of its card tiers. The value proposition is focused on utility rather than rewards:

• No permanent cashback on card spending
• No staking requirements or proprietary token
• Occasional promotional cashback events (e.g., 0.5% limited-time offers)
• Free internal transfers between Volet users (P2P transfers)
• Multi-currency accounts with SEPA bank transfer capabilities for European users

Referral Program

Volet offers a generous referral system for users who bring new customers to the platform:

• Up to 20% of Volet's profit on fees paid by referred users
• Additional "up to $5" reward when a referral orders and activates a Volet card
• Referral rewards credited in real-time to Volet balance

Fees and Limits

Card-Related Fees

Transaction Fees

Spending and Withdrawal Limits

All limits assume fully verified accounts. Unverified accounts are limited to €150 lifetime spending.

Card Tiers and Options

All cards share these common features:

• Personalized with user's name
• Instant loading from Volet wallet with no waiting period
• No permanent cashback rewards
• No ability to add to Apple Pay/Google Pay (yet)
• Gambling/betting transactions blocked by issuer

Self-Custody Custodial

Volet operates a custodial wallet system where the company and its banking partners hold user fiat and cryptocurrency funds. Users do not control private keys at any point and must manually convert crypto to fiat within the Volet platform before loading the prepaid card. The platform requires full KYC verification and manages all funds through licensed financial institutions. This custody model limits user direct control over assets, as private keys are not accessible, and funds depend on Volet's operational status. Users can withdraw to external self-custody wallets if desired, but during use of Volet cards, custody remains with the platform.

Supported Currencies and Conversion

Volet offers a multi-currency platform with support for both cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies. Users must manually convert crypto to fiat within the Volet wallet before loading funds to their card. The conversion happens at the time of exchange, not automatically at purchase.

Cryptocurrencies

Volet supports 14+ cryptocurrencies including:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• Litecoin (LTC)
• Ripple (XRP)
• Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
• Zcash (ZEC)
• Dash (DASH)
• Solana (SOL)
• Polygon (POL)
• Avalanche (AVAX)
• Tron (TRX)
• Toncoin (TON)
• Tether (USDT)
• USD Coin (USDC)

Fiat Currencies

Volet wallet supports six fiat currencies, though cards are only denominated in USD or EUR:

• US Dollar (USD)
• Euro (EUR)
• Brazilian Real (BRL)
• Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT)
• Russian Ruble (RUB)
• Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH)

The platform allows internal exchange between supported fiat currencies and conversion from any supported crypto to any supported fiat. Foreign currency transactions are subject to conversion fees ranging from 1-2.95% depending on card tier.

Geographic Availability

Supported Regions

Volet cards are available in approximately 150+ countries worldwide:

• Europe: All 27 EU countries, plus Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, and Israel
• Americas: Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and most other Latin American countries
• Asia-Pacific: India, China (non-US citizens), Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and others
• Africa: South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and most other African nations

The Europe card program is only available to residents of EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, Turkey, and Israel. Residents of other supported countries can access the Global UnionPay and Global Plus card programs.

Restricted Regions

Volet services are not available in:

• United States (all citizens and residents regardless of location)
• United Kingdom (ceased operations in October 2023 due to crypto regulation changes)
• U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
• Sanctioned or high-risk regions: Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Kosovo, Liberia, Libya, Myanmar, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Yemen, Zimbabwe

Individual country regulations may affect specific features or limits even in supported regions. Volet reserves the right to adjust supported regions based on regulatory developments.

Compliance and Security

Regulatory Framework

Volet operates through multiple legal entities to ensure regulatory compliance:

• Queensland Foreign Exchange Inc. (Toronto, Canada) - Registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FINTRAC
• Second February Limited (Seychelles) - Handles crypto operations
• Card issuers:
  • EU card program: Unnamed EU-licensed financial institution
  • Global/Global Plus cards: North International Bank (Antigua)

Full KYC verification is required for meaningful card usage. Unverified accounts are limited to €150 lifetime spending. Verification typically requires:

• Government-issued ID
• Selfie
• Proof of address
• Additional verification documents for Global cards per issuer requirements

Security Features

Volet employs various security measures to protect user accounts and funds:

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) via authenticator apps
• Encryption for all sensitive data
• 3D Secure for online payments
• Transaction monitoring for fraud detection
• Ability to instantly block/unblock cards via app or web dashboard
• PCI DSS certification for payment card data security

Volet uses a custodial model where the company and its banking partners hold fiat and crypto on behalf of users. Users do not receive private keys for crypto holdings but can withdraw to self-custody wallets if desired.

Technical Details

Volet's platform connects cryptocurrency holdings with traditional payment networks through a custodial wallet system:

• Conversion process: Manual conversion required in Volet wallet before loading card
• Settlement timing: Fiat conversion nearly instant within platform; card loading instant; card transactions typically settle in 2-3 days
• Card technology: All cards support contactless payments and chip+PIN security
• 3D Secure: Enabled for online transaction security
• Mobile app: Available for iOS and Android, offering wallet management, card control, transaction history, and currency exchange
• API access: Not publicly documented for third-party integrations
• Merchant category restrictions: All cards blocked for gambling, betting, online casinos, and lottery transactions

Notably, Volet cards currently cannot be added to mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, though this feature is reportedly in development.

User Experience

Volet provides a comprehensive platform for managing both cryptocurrency and traditional spending:

• Mobile app available for iOS and Android with features for:

  • Wallet management
  • Card loading and control
  • Transaction monitoring
  • Currency exchange
  • Crypto buying/selling

• Language support for 18+ interface languages including English, Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese, Hindi, and Turkish

• Support channels:

  • Detailed Help Center/knowledge base
  • Support tickets via account interface
  • Response times generally within 1 business day
  • 24/7 customer support advertised
  • No phone support mentioned

User feedback indicates strengths in convenience, functionality, instant transfers, and card reliability. Common complaints include occasional account freezing during verification, response times during compliance checks, and the high cost of the Global Plus card.

Best Suited For

• International freelancers who receive payments in multiple currencies and need global spending capability
• Digital nomads who move between countries and need financial access without local bank accounts
• Cryptocurrency investors who want to utilize their digital assets for everyday spending
• Global travelers seeking a multi-currency solution with lower FX fees than traditional banks
• Residents of countries with limited banking options who need access to global payment networks

Pros and Cons

Pros

• No monthly fee for the Europe card program (suitable for occasional users)
• No fee for purchases in base currency (0% on POS transactions in card currency)
• Instant loading from Volet wallet to card for immediate spending
• High transaction limits, especially on Global Plus tier ($150,000 daily)
• Available in 150+ countries worldwide with multiple card programs

Cons

• Unavailable in major markets like United States and United Kingdom
• No permanent cashback rewards program unlike many competing crypto cards
• Card loading fees range from 1.45-2.95% + fixed fee on all tiers
• Manual crypto-to-fiat conversion required before loading card
• No Apple Pay or Google Pay support (yet)

Conclusion

Volet (formerly ADVCash) offers a mature, practical solution for converting cryptocurrency holdings into everyday spending power. Its strength lies in providing immediate access to funds across borders through prepaid cards on major payment networks without requiring users to have conventional bank accounts.

The three-tiered card system accommodates different user needs, from the no-monthly-fee Europe card for casual users to the high-limit Global Plus for power users willing to pay premium fees. While Volet doesn't offer flashy rewards like crypto cashback, it compensates with competitive base currency spending fees (0% on purchases in card currency) and a straightforward platform.

Significant limitations include geographical restrictions (no service for US/UK residents), a complex fee structure that requires careful navigation, and the absence of mobile wallet integration. The custodial nature of the platform also means users must trust Volet's security measures rather than controlling their own private keys.

The ideal Volet user is someone who earns or holds cryptocurrency/multiple currencies and needs a reliable way to spend those funds in everyday life. For these users, Volet's combination of solid platform stability, good global acceptance, and the ability to instantly move between crypto and spendable fiat currency provides substantial value despite the associated fees.

Additional Information

Corporate Evolution

Volet underwent a significant rebrand and restructuring in 2024, transitioning from ADVCash to Volet.com with new regulatory compliance frameworks. The company moved from its previous Belize registration to operating through entities in Canada (Queensland Foreign Exchange Inc., FINTRAC-registered) and Seychelles (Second February Limited for crypto operations). This restructuring appears aimed at ensuring stronger regulatory compliance while maintaining service continuity for its reported 5+ million global users.

There have been no publicly reported major security breaches of Volet/ADVCash since its 2014 launch, suggesting a decent security record. The platform's longevity and continued operation across multiple regulatory environments indicate fundamental stability, though users should note the platform does not offer insurance protection for crypto assets held in custody.

While Volet cards function similarly to standard debit cards, users should be aware that card loading involves a percentage-based fee (1.45-2.95% depending on card tier). This effectively serves as the primary "conversion fee" from crypto to spendable fiat. Additionally, while Volet advertises global acceptance, the UnionPay card's utility outside Asia may be limited compared to the Visa/Mastercard options, making card program selection important based on primary usage location.