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DeFi maxiU.S.-based Visa partner bank (not publicly disclosed)visa● Live

PAYY Card

A non-custodial Visa prepaid card for spending USDC with zero-knowledge privacy on Payy Network.

PAYY Card is a self-custodial Visa prepaid card that enables users to spend USDC stablecoins in everyday transactions while maintaining privacy through zero-knowledge cryptography on the Payy Network blockchain.

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Best for

Privacy-conscious users spending USDC who prioritize self-custody and $0 monthly fees.

Skip if

You want cashback rewards or a physical card with chip/magstripe support.

Network
visa
Custody
self custodial
KYC
full
Max cashback
0.00%
Min monthly fee
$0
Apple Pay
Yes
Google Pay
Yes
Physical card
Yes

The verdict

What we like
  • Zero monthly fees and $0 transaction fees for purchases.
  • Self-custodial model gives users full control over funds.
  • Available globally via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
  • Unique light-up physical card unlocked with 100,000 points.
Watch outs
  • Card spending is restricted to the USDC stablecoin.
  • Relatively new service launched in August 2025.
  • Offers $0 monthly fees and $0 transaction fees for all purchases.
  • Physical card is contactless-only and spending is limited to the USDC stablecoin.

Basic information

PAYY Card is a self-custodial Visa prepaid card that enables users to spend USDC stablecoins in everyday transactions while maintaining privacy through zero-knowledge cryptography. Built by Polybase Labs, the card bridges cryptocurrency holdings with real-world spending needs without exposing transaction details on public blockchains. It is a Visa Platinum secured prepaid card available as a virtual card by default, with a premium light-up physical card available by earning points. It supports Apple Pay and Google Wallet and is accepted at over 80 million Visa locations worldwide.

Fees

PAYY Card has no monthly, annual, issuance, or purchase transaction fees. Foreign exchange fees on non-USD purchases are determined by Visa and the user's bank, with PAYY suggesting a 1% bank fee for estimates. There are no PAYY fees for ATM withdrawals, though operator fees may apply and the feature is in private beta.

Spending & ATM limits

Atm Daily
Not officially documented (contactless ATM access in private beta)
Daily Spending
Limited only by USDC wallet balance
Per Transaction
No preset caps beyond available balance

Features

PAYY Card offers a default virtual card with an optional light-up physical card unlocked via a points program. The physical card is contactless-only. The card supports Apple Pay and Google Pay. It is a self-custodial card managed through the PAYY Wallet app, which requires no login or email. The app allows users to freeze/unfreeze their card and view transaction history. Fiat deposits are available in the U.S. (ACH beta) and Argentina, with plans for EUR, INR, BRL, and KES.

Rewards

PAYY Card does not offer a traditional cashback rewards program. Instead, it has a PAYY Points system where users can earn points through referrals (10,000 points per friend) and previously through balance holdings. 100,000 points can be redeemed to unlock the premium light-up physical card with free shipping.

Availability

Available in 240 countries globally wherever Apple App Store and Google Play Store are accessible. Restricted in 4 OFAC-sanctioned countries plus Crimea, Donetsk region, Luhansk region.

Top-up & funding

  • Crypto deposit
  • Fiat transfer (USD via ACH in US, local bank transfer in Argentina)
  • Crypto network bridge

Security & custody

  • Zero-knowledge proofs for transaction privacy
  • Local encryption of wallet data on device
  • Card freeze/unfreeze capability in-app
  • Planned 'Guardians' feature for account recovery and fraud prevention

Risk note. Users are solely responsible for managing their recovery phrases. Loss of the recovery phrase without a backup can result in permanent loss of funds.

Mobile wallets

Apple Pay Supported
Google Pay Supported
Samsung Pay Not supported

Card tiers

Virtual PAYY Card

Card material
Virtual only
Issuance fee
Free
Requirements
Free after KYC verification
  • Instant delivery
  • Online purchases
  • Apple/Google Pay compatible

Light-Up Physical Card

Card material
Physical with LED-illuminated logo
Issuance fee
Free (points-based unlock)
Requirements
Requires 100,000 PAYY Points
  • LED-illuminated logo on tap
  • Contactless tap payments only
  • 2-4 weeks delivery
  • Free shipping

Loan & credit features

Card is described as 'Visa Platinum secured credit card' but functions as prepaid - no traditional credit features mentioned

Banking services

PAYY is not a licensed bank and does not offer traditional checking or savings accounts. Currently supports ACH bank transfers (US, beta) and local bank transfers (Argentina). Planned: SEPA (EUR), UPI (INR), PIX (BRL), M-Pesa (KES).

What users say

App Store
4.7/5.0 (16 ratings) - not counted
Google Play
4.2/5.0 (51 ratings)

Positive reviews for privacy features and ease of use; concerns about new service building trust and contactless-only physical card limitation

Risks & limitations

Risks
  • MarketRelatively new service still establishing market reputation
  • SecuritySelf-custody requires managing recovery phrases - company cannot assist with recovery without user backups
Limitations
  • moderateNo cashback or traditional rewards program
  • moderatePhysical card is contactless-only (no chip/magstripe for older terminals)
  • moderateLimited to USDC stablecoin for card spending
  • minorRelatively new service still building market trust
  • minorSelf-custody requires users to manage recovery phrases (potential complexity for some users)
  • moderateFiat funding currently limited to Argentina and U.S. (beta)
  • minor1% FX fees on non-USD purchases
  • minorSome online merchants in certain countries may reject U.S.-issued cards

Roadmap

Recently shipped
  • General availability announced August 6, 2025 in New York, USA
Planned
  • 'Guardians' social recovery feature for account recovery and fraud prevention
  • Expanded ATM withdrawal capability (currently in private beta)
  • Expanded fiat on/off-ramp options (SEPA, UPI, PIX, M-Pesa)
  • Additional local payment rail integrations for more countries
  • Payy Network open for developers (roadmap milestone: March 2026)

Best suited for

Stablecoin holders who maintain USDC balances, privacy-conscious users who prefer transaction details shielded from public blockchain visibility, international users in high-inflation economies, crypto self-custody advocates, and early adopters interested in zero-knowledge cryptography applications.

Our verdict

PAYY Card stands out in the crypto card market by prioritizing privacy and self-custody over traditional rewards programs. The card's zero-knowledge proof technology addresses a significant gap in crypto payments—the public visibility of blockchain transactions—while maintaining regulatory compliance through innovative cryptographic methods. Compared to typical crypto cards, PAYY Card's fee structure is exceptionally competitive with no monthly fees, no transaction fees, and only Visa/bank-driven foreign exchange fees on non-USD purchases. This makes it particularly cost-effective for users who primarily transact in USD or hold significant stablecoin balances.

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