53 Best Crypto Cards in Costa Rica 2026

What to Know Before Using Crypto Cards in Costa Rica

Tax

15% Tax on Every Swipe

Spending crypto via a card is treated as a disposal of an asset, triggering a 15% capital gains tax on any profit made since you acquired the crypto.

Tax

No Small Transaction Exemptions

Costa Rica does not have a 'de minimis' threshold, meaning even small daily purchases like a coffee technically require capital gains reporting.

Banking

SINPE Rails Are Fiat Only

While the SINPE and SINPE Móvil systems are excellent for local transfers, they do not support crypto; you must convert to Colones first to use them.

Heads Up

Sudden Account Closure Risk

Local banks may close accounts involved in crypto flows without providing a specific reason, following guidance from the supervisor SUGEF.

Regulation

Habitual Trading Penalty

If your crypto spending or trading is frequent enough to be considered a 'habitual' activity, you may be taxed at higher corporate or ordinary income rates.

Regulation

New VASP Registration Rules

New laws are moving crypto platforms under SUGEF supervision, which will lead to stricter identity checks and data collection for all transfers.

Common Questions About Crypto Cards in Costa Rica

1 Do I have to pay tax when I use my crypto card in Costa Rica?

Yes. When you pay for something, the conversion from crypto to fiat is a taxable event. If the value of your crypto went up since you bought it, you generally owe a 15% tax on that gain.

2 Can I top up my crypto card using SINPE Móvil?

You cannot send crypto directly through SINPE. You can use SINPE to move Colones to a local exchange or platform that supports it, but the national payment system itself only handles local currency.

3 Will my Costa Rican bank account get blocked if I buy crypto?

It is not illegal to buy crypto, but banks are very cautious. Because the Central Bank views crypto as high-risk, some banks may decline transactions or even close your account if they see frequent crypto-related activity.

4 Is there a limit on how much crypto I can spend?

There is no specific government limit on crypto spending amounts. Any restrictions you face will likely come from your card provider's daily limits or your bank's internal fraud prevention settings.

5 Are stablecoins taxed differently than Bitcoin?

No. The tax authorities treat all cryptocurrencies as 'intangible assets.' This means spending a stablecoin is legally the same as spending Bitcoin, even if the price hasn't changed much.

Country-specific information last researched on February 13, 2026 . Regulations and policies can change — always verify with your card provider and local tax authority.

Top-Rated Cards in Costa Rica

Top-Rated Card Details

Ether.Fi Cash Card

4.6⭐

Ether.fi Cash is a non-custodial Visa credit card for DeFi users seeking spending power without selling crypto.

Ready Card

4.6⭐

The Ready Metal Card is a premium self-custodial Mastercard debit card for spending crypto while retaining asset control. Crypto stays in your wallet until each payment, ensuring complete financial autonomy.

Kolo Card

4.1⭐

Kolo Card is a crypto debit card that lets users spend cryptocurrencies, including memecoins, at merchants worldwide that accept Visa or Mastercard. Designed for crypto enthusiasts, it features automatic real-time crypto-to-fiat conversion for everyday purchases.

PAYY Card

4⭐

PAYY Card is a crypto-enabled Visa credit card that lets users spend stablecoins (USDC) directly at merchants while maintaining privacy through zero-knowledge proofs on the Payy Network blockchain. The self-custodial model gives users full control of their funds via the PAYY Wallet app.

Exa Card

4⭐

Exa Card is a virtual Visa credit card enabling users to spend crypto without selling assets. It offers self-custody, onchain borrowing, and flexible payment modes.