MetaMask has announced the pilot launch of the MetaMask Card, a digital-only card powered by Mastercard and the fintech platform Baanx, allowing users to spend cryptocurrency on everyday purchases. The card is currently available to a limited number of users within the European Union and the United Kingdom, according to a recent press release.
In its current phase, the MetaMask Card is limited to a few thousand digital-only cards. Users must hold their cryptocurrency on-chain within the Linea network, with MetaMask being used to delegate funds to the card. As MetaMask is a self-custodial wallet, users retain full control over their private keys.
“This gives people more freedom to spend their assets; in this case, crypto,” said Lorenzo Santos, senior product manager at Consensys, adding that the MetaMask Card is a significant step in bridging the gap between blockchain technology and traditional payment systems.
MetaMask’s card functions similarly to other Baanx-powered crypto debit cards, such as the CL Card, which enables Ledger users to spend their crypto wherever Mastercard is accepted.
Other crypto debit cards, such as those offered by Coinbase and Crypto.com, also allow users to spend their digital assets in traditional settings, albeit through centralized, custodial platforms.
