Ready Card
Mastercardself-custodialKYC: required
4.5 / 5
Net Reward4.8
Availability4.5
Custody & Risk5.0
Features3.3
UX4.2
The Ready Card (formerly Argent Card) is a premium self-custodial Mastercard debit card that allows users to spend crypto while retaining full control of their assets. Crypto stays in the user's wallet until each payment, with USDC converted to fiat at the point of purchase.
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Slug: ready-card
Latest News
Argent is now called Ready
June 24, 2025
Argent rebranded to Ready
Argent introduces the Lite card
May 21, 2025
Introduction of the Lite card tier
Our Verdict
Crypto natives who value self-custody while wanting everyday spending capabilities, regular spenders who can maximize cashback benefits, and international travelers who benefit from zero foreign exchange fees and global acceptance.
Pros and cons
Pros
- True self-custody model maintains crypto ownership principles
- Competitive cashback with boost opportunities up to 6%
- No hidden fees or exchange rate markups
- Global usage through Mastercard network
- Integrated banking with virtual account details
Cons
- 120 USDC annual fee for Metal card
- Currently only supports USDC/USDC.e for spending
- Ordering limited to UK and EEA residents
- Cashback rewards capped at $150 monthly
- Refunds applied against future spend by default
Supported chains
BaseBitcoinEthereum
Supported cryptos
BTCUSDC
Fees
Annual: See card_tiers
Issuance: See card_tiers
Crypto To Fiat: No fee
Purchase Transaction: No fee
Key Features
- Self-custodial model - funds remain in user's wallet until spent
- 3% cashback ongoing with boost hours up to 6% (paid in STRK tokens)
- No foreign exchange fees or hidden conversion markups
- Premium 16g metal card in gold or platinum finish
- Direct integration with Ready mobile wallet
- BTC loan product lets users borrow USDC against BTC to spend
- Integrated banking with virtual account details (IBAN/sort code)
- Google Pay support with Apple Pay coming soon
- 7 years, 0 hacks record for smart contracts
Limitations
- 120 USDC annual fee for Metal card paid upfront
- Currently only supports USDC/USDC.e for spending
- Available for ordering only in UK and EEA
- Maximum 30-day spending limit of $30,000 (can be increased via support)
- Cashback rewards capped at $150/month
- Automatic refunds not supported - refunds applied against future card spending unless manual refund requested
- Apple Pay not yet available (coming soon)
- Cashback paid in volatile STRK tokens
Risks
- MarketCashback rewards paid in STRK tokens which are subject to price volatilityRating slightly penalized for payout in volatile STRK tokens
Rewards & Cashback
Notes: Rewards distributed by the 15th of each month. No token staking or lockup required to earn rewards. Cashback funded by Starknet Foundation.
Cashback Cap: $150/month ($1,800/year) on up to $5,000 spent monthly
Reward Token: STRK tokens
Cashback Rate: 3% (Metal) with boost hours up to 6%; 0.5% (Lite)
Excluded Transactions:gambling, ATM withdrawals, money transfers, financial services
Eligibility Requirements: Spend $5+ daily to qualify for random cashback boost hours (Metal only)
Spending Limits
Notes: Transactions simply decline if there are insufficient funds. No overdraft fees.
Atm Daily: $500
Atm Annual: $30,000
Atm Monthly: $2,500
Daily Spending: $10,000
Per Transaction: $5,000
Monthly Spending: $30,000 rolling 30-day limit (can be increased via support)
Top-Up Methods
Crypto (USDC/USDC.e from self-custodial wallet)Bank transfer (SEPA/UK Faster Payments)
Processing Time: No pre-loading required - funds deducted from user's self-custodial wallet at purchase. Bank deposits automatically converted to USDC for immediate card spending.
Banking & Financial Services
✓
IBAN
✓
SEPA Transfers
✓
Virtual Accounts
✓
Direct Deposit
Virtual account details provided for each user (IBAN/BIC in the EU, sort code/account number in the UK). Automatic conversion of bank deposits to USDC for immediate card spending. SEPA and UK Faster Payments support for instant funding.
Credit & Loan Products
Loan Products
BTC Loan Product - borrow USDC against Bitcoin holdings as collateral, use borrowed USDC directly with Ready card for spending, maintain exposure to Bitcoin price appreciation while accessing liquidity
Allows Bitcoin holders to spend without liquidating their cryptocurrency positions
Security Features
Features: Self-custody model - Ready never holds or controls user funds,Smart contract session key permissions enable card transactions while maintaining user control,Instant card freeze/unfreeze via Ready Mobile app,PIN-protected transactions,Biometric protection for viewing card details,Delayed transaction settlement enhances privacy,Transaction notifications and activity monitoring,Social recovery without seed phrases
Mobile Wallet Support
Google PayiOSAndroid
Best For
Crypto natives who value self-custody while wanting everyday spending capabilities, regular spenders who can maximize cashback benefits, and international travelers who benefit from zero foreign exchange fees and global acceptance.
Custody Model
self-custodialUsers retain full control of private keys at all times. Funds remain in user's wallet until moment of transaction; spending authorized via smart contract session key. Ready never holds or controls user funds.
Risk: If provider ceased operations, users keep full access to their assets.
Card Issuer & Compliance
Issuer Name: Kulipa
Kyc Required: true
Issuer License: Regulated card issuer
Availability
Available in 179 countries. Card ordering limited to UK and EEA residents, but cards can be used globally wherever Mastercard is accepted (120+ countries reported). Restricted in 25 countries including United States and sanctioned nations.
Card Tiers
Metal Card
PhysicalMetal (steel), 16 grams
ID verification through Ready app, residency in UK or EEA
Monthly Limit: $30,000 rolling 30-day limit
MastercardGoogle Pay
Cashback: 3% (with boost hours up to 6%)
ATM Free: $800/month
FX Free: Unlimited (no FX fees)
Gold or Platinum finish optionsFree Layerswap bridging fees (refunded weekly, up to $100/month)30% discount on Ramp Network crypto on-ramp fees (except UK)Up to 25% off Nansen20% off Koinly15% off Airalo70%+ off NordVPNNon-transferable NFT for early cardholdersCashback streak boosts
Lite Card
PhysicalPlastic
ID verification through Ready app, residency in UK or EEA
Fees
Issuance: $6.99 one-time shipping fee
Monthly: Free
Monthly Limit: $30,000 rolling 30-day limit
MastercardGoogle Pay
Cashback: 0.5%
ATM Free: $200/month
FX Free: Unlimited (no FX fees)
User Ratings
4.2/5.0 (6,865 ratings)
Google Play
4.5/5.0 (254 ratings)
App Store
Positive early reception for seamless spending experience and self-custody model. Metal card users appreciate premium feel of physical card.
Roadmap & Updates
Planned Features:
- Apple Pay support
- Monthly payment option for Metal card (pricing not confirmed)
- Additional cryptocurrencies for spending
Recent Updates:
- June 2025: Argent rebranded to Ready
- May 2025: Lite card introduced
- BTC Loan product launched
Conclusion
The Ready Card lineup represents a significant evolution in crypto payment cards by offering a self-custodial solution that doesn't compromise on user experience or benefits. The Metal card's 3% cashback program (with boost opportunities up to 6%) funded by the Starknet Foundation provides substantial value that can easily offset the annual fee for regular users. At maximum utilization, users can earn up to $1,800 annually in STRK tokens. The Lite card offers a more accessible entry point with no annual fee and a modest 0.5% cashback rate. Where Ready truly differentiates itself is in its philosophical approach - rather than asking users to surrender their assets to a custodian, it leverages smart contract technology to maintain self-custody while enabling seamless spending. The primary limitations are the current restriction to UK and EEA residents for card ordering and the USDC/USDC.e-only funding model.
Card launched: Phased rollout late 2024, public launch March 2025
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