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Last updated: June 14, 2025 • 7 cards
About Self-Custodial Cards
About Self-Custodial Cards
Cards that allow you to maintain control of your crypto assets without surrendering private keys to third parties.
Self-custodial cards allow you to maintain control over your cryptocurrency assets while spending them. These cards typically don't require you to deposit funds with a centralized provider.
Compare our selection of self-custodial options if maintaining ownership of your private keys is a priority.
Self-Custodial Cards offer several unique advantages compared to traditional payment cards:
True Ownership
Maintain control over your private keys and crypto assets, adhering to the 'not your keys, not your crypto' principle.
Enhanced Privacy
Reduced exposure of personal financial data to third parties, maintaining greater financial privacy.
Censorship Resistance
Protection against potential account freezes or restrictions that can affect centralized crypto cards.
Direct Blockchain Settlement
Transactions that settle directly on-chain without relying on centralized clearing systems.
When selecting a card from this category, consider which of these benefits align best with your goals and priorities.
How Cards Are Ranked
Cards in this category are ranked based on estimated monthly value using these assumptions:
Monthly Spend
$1,000
Staking Budget
$500
Fx Spend Percentage
0%
Atm Withdrawal Percentage
10%
The ranking considers calculated cashback minus fees based on the typical user profile above. It includes only cards identified as self-custodial, factoring in category-specific features and tier balancing.
Top Self-Custodial Cards
Gnosis
Tier 2 Visa
20$ monthly return
0$ fees | 20$ rewards
Cashback 2%
Staking Req. 1 GNO (≈$113)
- No transaction, FX, gas, or off-ramping fees
- Includes IBAN bank account for European users
- Zero conversion fees when spending crypto worldwide
- Weekly GNO rewards delivered automatically to Safe wallet
- Physical card with optional ENS name personalization
Holyheld
Metal Mastercard
10$ monthly return
0$ fees | 10$ rewards
Cashback 1%
Staking Req. None
- 1% cashback in USDC on all purchases
- Smart contract insurance up to $50,000
- Personal Euro IBAN account for SEPA transfers
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Premium design
- 1,200+ cryptocurrencies supported across 14+ blockchain networks
- Non-custodial approach for crypto assets
Metamask
Virtual Card Mastercard
1$ monthly return
9$ fees | 10$ rewards
Cashback 1%
Staking Req. None
- True self-custody model with funds remaining in your wallet until point of purchase
- 1% cashback
- Direct spending from MetaMask wallet without transferring to third parties
- No bank account required for crypto spending
- Full control of funds until the moment of payment
- Minimal transaction fees
- Global acceptance at any Mastercard merchant
- Instant digital issuance
1inch
Standard Mastercard
0$ monthly cost
20$ fees | 20$ rewards
Cashback 2%
Staking Req. None
- 2% cashback when rewards are taken in BXX (Baanx's token)
- 1% cashback when rewards are taken in Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), or 1inch token (1INCH)
- Monthly cashback cap of €4,800
- Self-custody model maintaining control of assets until point of purchase
- CryptoDraft: Interest-free crypto-backed credit line (0% APR on first 10% of collateral value)
- No foreign exchange (FX) fees beyond Mastercard's standard rates
- Available as virtual card immediately after KYC approval
- Higher credit limits available via optional BXX token staking
Cypher
Standard Visa / Mastercard
-5$ monthly cost
5$ fees | 0$ rewards
Cashback None
Staking Req. None
- Non-custodial approach - users maintain control of crypto until point of spending
- Supports 500+ tokens across 25+ blockchains
- Available in 160+ countries including the United States
- Standard protections for card security
- Cypher Reward Points system (future redemptions)
Ledger
Standard Visa
-3$ monthly cost
23$ fees | 20$ rewards
Cashback 2%
Staking Req. None
- 1% cashback in BTC/USDT or 2% in BXX token on all purchases
- True self-custody until moment of spending
- Crypto-backed credit lines ("Cryptodraft")
- Stablecoin loans ("Stableloans") at rates from 0% APR
- No monthly fees
- Seamless integration with Ledger hardware wallets
- Virtual card available instantly
Mercuryo
Ledger Version Mastercard
0$ break-even
0$ fees | 0$ rewards
Cashback None
Staking Req. None
- Self-custody of crypto assets until point of transaction
- Direct spending without transferring to centralized exchanges
- Seamless Ledger hardware wallet integration
- Managed directly through Ledger Live application
- Automatic conversion from crypto to fiat during purchases
- Currently only supports Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH)
Comparing Self-Custodial Cards
When comparing self-custodial crypto cards, prioritize security mechanisms, transaction settlement transparency, and true key ownership rather than conventional rewards or perks.
Key Features to Compare
- Method of maintaining private key control
- Security features protecting self-custodied assets
- Transaction settlement process and transparency
- Integration with popular self-custody wallets
- Backup and recovery options
Comparison Tips
- Verify that the card truly never takes custody of your main crypto assets
- Understand the exact settlement process when a card transaction occurs
- Check for any centralized components that could compromise self-custody
- Research the team's background and security track record
The ideal self-custodial card provides true financial sovereignty without compromising on usability or requiring technical expertise for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions about Self-Custodial Cards
How do self-custodial crypto cards work without giving up control of my keys?
Self-custodial cards typically work by creating temporary payment channels or using smart contracts that authorize specific limited transactions without surrendering full control of your assets. When you make a purchase, you cryptographically sign an approval for just that transaction, keeping your main holdings secure in your self-custodied wallet.
Are self-custodial cards more secure than centralized alternatives?
Self-custodial cards eliminate custodial risk (the risk of a centralized provider being hacked or going bankrupt with your funds), but they introduce different security considerations like seed phrase management and smart contract risk. They're generally considered more secure philosophically but require greater personal responsibility.
How do transaction confirmations work with self-custodial cards?
Since blockchain transactions typically take time to confirm, self-custodial cards use various approaches to provide instant payments. Some utilize Layer 2 solutions, payment channels, or temporary custodial authorizations. Others might require pre-funding a spending wallet while keeping the majority of assets self-custodied.
What happens if I lose my private keys or seed phrase?
With true self-custodial cards, losing your private keys or seed phrase typically means losing access to your funds, as the provider doesn't have backup access. Some solutions offer social recovery options or multi-signature setups to mitigate this risk, but these require advance configuration.
Can self-custodial cards offer the same features as centralized options?
Self-custodial cards are evolving rapidly but often have some feature limitations compared to centralized alternatives. They may have different reward structures, fewer integrated services, or more complex user experiences. However, they offer unique benefits like censorship resistance and true asset ownership that centralized cards cannot match.
Comparison Table
| Card | Cashback | Staking | Effective Return | Availability | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gnosis Tier 2 | 2% | 1 GNO (≈$113) | $20/mo (2.00%) | Europe 35 countries | View Details |
| Argent Metal | 3% | None | $20/mo (2.00%) | Europe 30 countries | View Details |
| Gnosis Tier 1 | 1% | 0.1 GNO (≈$11) | $10/mo (1.00%) | Europe 35 countries | View Details |
| Holyheld Metal | 1% | None | $10/mo (1.00%) | Europe 30 countries | View Details |
| Holyheld Classic | 0.5% | None | $5/mo (0.50%) | Europe 30 countries | View Details |
| Holyheld Limited Edition | 0.5% | None | $5/mo (0.50%) | Europe 30 countries | View Details |
| Metamask Virtual Card | 1% | None | $1/mo (0.12%) | South America, Europe & more 37 countries | View Details |
| 1inch Standard | 2% | None | -$0/mo (-0.02%) | Europe 31 countries | View Details |
| Cypher Standard | 0% | None | -$5/mo (-0.50%) | South America, Europe & more 36 countries | View Details |
| Cypher Premium | 0% | None | -$17/mo (-1.66%) | South America, Europe & more 36 countries | View Details |
| Gnosis Base Card | 0% | None | $0/mo (0.00%) | Europe 35 countries | View Details |
| Ledger Standard | 2% | None | -$3/mo (-0.31%) | Europe 24 countries | View Details |
| Mercuryo Ledger Version | 0% | None | $0/mo (0.00%) | Europe 30 countries | View Details |
| Mercuryo Standard Version | 0% | None | -$12/mo (-1.21%) | Europe 30 countries | View Details |
| Avalanche Standard | 0% | None | $0/mo (0.00%) | South America, North America & more 98 countries | View Details |