Avalanche Card
VisahybridKYC: required
3.0 / 5
Net Reward1.3
Availability4.0
Custody & Risk3.5
Features4.0
The Avalanche Card is a non-custodial Visa credit card that allows crypto holders to spend digital assets directly by pledging USDC, USDT, AVAX, or WAVAX as collateral via smart contracts on the Avalanche C-Chain for a revolving credit line at any Visa merchant. With zero fees and 0% APR, users maintain full self-custody of their assets while accessing traditional payment infrastructure.
Apply
Slug: avalanche-card
Our Verdict
Crypto-first users who want to spend their digital assets without converting to fiat first, stablecoin holders seeking 1:1 spending power, AVAX holders seeking practical spending utility, underbanked individuals in eligible regions, privacy-focused consumers who appreciate no credit bureau reporting, and self-custody proponents who want to maintain control of their digital assets.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Non-custodial approach maintains user sovereignty over digital assets
- Zero issuance fees, annual fees, monthly account fees, shipping fees, and 0% APR on purchases
- No credit checks or credit bureau reporting required
- Available as both physical and virtual card with mobile wallet integration
- 24/7 dedicated customer support
- Active AVAX rewards program on qualifying purchases
- Integration with Visa's stablecoin settlement network for institutional-grade infrastructure
- Stablecoins provide 1:1 spending power
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees vary significantly by jurisdiction (1% advertised, 2% for U.S. cardholders, up to 6% combined for international program)
- Limited geographic availability with 16 excluded U.S. states and 18 excluded countries
- 50% collateral requirement for AVAX/wAVAX reduces capital efficiency
- No ATM access or cash advance options
- Not FDIC insured, exposing users to counterparty and market risks
- Rewards program earn rate and caps not publicly disclosed
- Some technical issues reported with card details loading after locking cards
- Daily liquidations of volatile collateral may create tax reporting obligations
Supported chains
AvalancheBitcoinEthereumSolana
Supported cryptos
BTCUSDCUSDT
Fees
Annual: None
Monthly: None
Issuance: Free
Purchase Transaction: No fees
Key Features
- Self-custody smart contract system on Avalanche C-Chain
- 0% APR on purchases with no annual fees
- Supports USDC, USDT, AVAX, and wAVAX as collateral
- Available as physical card and virtual card with Apple Pay/Google Wallet integration
- Credit limit based on collateral value (100% for stablecoins, 50% for AVAX/wAVAX)
- No credit checks or credit bureau reporting
- Collateral remains in user-controlled contracts
- 24/7 dedicated customer support
- Active AVAX rewards program on qualifying purchases
- Integration with Visa's stablecoin settlement network
Limitations
- Foreign transaction fees vary significantly by jurisdiction (1% advertised, 2% for U.S. cardholders, up to 6% combined for international program)
- Limited geographic availability with 16 excluded U.S. states and 18 excluded countries
- 50% collateral requirement for AVAX/wAVAX reduces capital efficiency
- No ATM access or cash advance options
- Not FDIC insured, exposing users to counterparty and market risks
- Rewards program earn rate and caps not publicly disclosed
- Some technical issues reported with card details loading after locking cards
- Daily liquidations of volatile collateral may create tax reporting obligations
Risks
- CounterpartyNot FDIC insured - assets subject to market risk and counterparty riskNot insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). No other insurance coverage mentioned.
- MarketForced liquidation if collateral value drops below outstanding balanceForced liquidation if collateral value falls below balance
- RegulatoryDaily liquidations of volatile collateral may be considered taxable disposals in many jurisdictionsDaily liquidations of volatile collateral may be considered taxable disposals in many jurisdictions, potentially creating tax reporting obligations for users
- MarketDynamic credit limits can be changed or set to $0 by the issuer at any timeDynamic limits can be changed or set to $0 by the issuer at any time
- CounterpartyFee discrepancy between advertised rates and actual binding agreementsThe discrepancy between advertised fees (1% FX) and actual fees in binding agreements (2% for U.S. cardholders, up to 6% for international program)
Rewards & Cashback
Notes: Active Avalanche Rewards program where cardholders earn AVAX on qualifying purchases. Rewards credited in accordance with the program's Rewards Terms. Earn rate, tier structure, and reward caps not publicly disclosed and may be changed by issuer at any time.
Cashback Cap: Not publicly disclosed
Reward Token: AVAX
Cashback Rate: AVAX rewards on qualifying purchases (exact earn rate not publicly disclosed)
Eligibility Requirements: Qualifying purchases
Spending Limits
Notes: Credit limits are dynamically based on the value of collateral in the user's smart contract. Dynamic limits can be changed or set to $0 by the issuer at any time. No cash advances permitted.
Atm Daily: Not supported
Atm Monthly: Not supported
Credit Line Max: Dynamic based on collateral value - 100% for stablecoins (USDC, USDT), 50% for AVAX/wAVAX
Top-Up Methods
Deposit AVAX via self-custody wallet connectDeposit wAVAX via self-custody wallet connectDeposit USDC via self-custody wallet connectDeposit USDT via self-custody wallet connect
Credit & Loan Products
LTV Tiers
Stablecoins (USDC, USDT): 100% of value contributes to credit limit; Non-stable assets (AVAX, wAVAX): 50% of market value contributes to credit limit
Interest Rates
0% APR on purchases
Legally structured as a 0% APR credit card secured by crypto collateral. Statement-based billing cycle with credit card mechanics.
Security Features
Features: Spend alerts for transaction monitoring,Card freezing capability,PIN change functionality,Two-factor login authentication,Self-custody wallet with unique addresses for each asset,EMV chip for physical card
Insurance: Not FDIC insured; no other insurance coverage mentioned
Mobile Wallet Support
Apple PayGoogle PayiOSAndroid
Best For
Crypto-first users who want to spend their digital assets without converting to fiat first, stablecoin holders seeking 1:1 spending power, AVAX holders seeking practical spending utility, underbanked individuals in eligible regions, privacy-focused consumers who appreciate no credit bureau reporting, and self-custody proponents who want to maintain control of their digital assets.
Custody Model
hybridUsers control private keys and collateral via self-custody smart contracts on the Avalanche C-Chain. Collateral remains in user-controlled contracts until liquidation for purchases or defaults. At the moment of liquidation, crypto is converted to fiat by the issuer to settle card balances.
Risk: If provider disappears, unliquidated collateral remains accessible to users; only pending or settled fiat amounts are at risk. Not FDIC insured, exposing users to counterparty and market risks.
Card Issuer & Compliance
Issuer Name: Third National, Inc.
Kyc Required: true
Issuer License: Card issued under license from Visa
Platform Licenses: Visa licensed card issuer
Availability
Available in 173 countries including many U.S. states (34 eligible), Latin America, and the Caribbean. Restricted in 17 countries. US: Not available in 16 states (Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin).
Card Tiers
Standard
PhysicalRed matte plastic with EMV chip
KYC verification (government-issued ID, selfie verification, basic personal information)
Fees
Issuance: Free (virtual and physical)
Monthly: None
VisaApple PayGoogle Wallet
Cashback: AVAX rewards on qualifying purchases (rate not disclosed)
ATM Free: Not supported
APR: 0%
Smart contract-based collateral systemSelf-custody of crypto assets0% APR on purchasesNo credit checks or credit bureau reporting24/7 dedicated customer support
User Ratings
3.5/5.0 (15 ratings)
App Store
User feedback from early adopters has been generally positive, with users praising instant Apple Pay provisioning and lack of issuance fees. Some confusion about fee discrepancies. Reddit posts from February-April 2025 show positive reception.
Roadmap & Updates
Expansion: Ongoing expansion to Southeast Asian countries, African countries, and additional regions
Planned Features:
- Potential support for bridged Bitcoin (BTC.b) and other tokens
- sAVAX support (marketed but not yet confirmed)
Recent Updates:
- Announced October 2024, fully operational February 2025
- Rain raised additional $58 million in August 2025
- Visa officially added Avalanche to stablecoin settlement platform in July 2025
- App version 1.5.1 with bug fixes and performance improvements
Conclusion
The Avalanche Card represents a significant advancement in bridging cryptocurrency assets with traditional payment infrastructure. As one of the first non-custodial, collateral-backed Visa credit cards, it offers a compelling solution for crypto holders seeking to utilize their digital assets in everyday transactions without surrendering custody. The card's zero-fee structure for issuance, maintenance, and monthly account fees, combined with 0% APR on purchases and an active AVAX rewards program, makes it particularly attractive for stablecoin holders who can essentially access fee-free USD spending power with 1:1 collateral efficiency. However, potential users should carefully consider the varying foreign transaction fee structures by jurisdiction and the geographical restrictions.
Card launched: Announced October 2024, fully operational February
Related cards
Ether.Fi Cash Card
4.5
VisahybridKYC Required
Details of Ether.Fi Cash Card crypto card including cashback rewards, fees, staking requirements, and review. Compare with other cryptocurrency cards.
Networks
BaseEthereumGnosisScroll
Ready Card
4.5
Mastercardself-custodialKYC Required
Details of Ready Card crypto card including cashback rewards, fees, staking requirements, and review. Compare with other cryptocurrency cards.
Networks
BaseBitcoinEthereum
Crypto.com Card
4.0
Visa + MastercardcustodialKYC Required
Details of Crypto.com Card crypto card including cashback rewards, fees, staking requirements, and review. Compare with other cryptocurrency cards.
Gemini Credit Card
4.0
MastercardcustodialKYC Required
Details of Gemini Credit Card crypto card including cashback rewards, fees, staking requirements, and review. Compare with other cryptocurrency cards.
Networks
BitcoinEthereumSolana