Ready Card Review 2026: Fees, Rewards, and How It Compares
Ready Card is a self-custodial crypto Mastercard debit card built on Starknet, offering 0%–1% FX fees and up to 3% cashback in STRK tokens across 2 plan tiers, Metal ($120 USDC/year) and Lite (free). Ready Card, formerly Argent, is one of the very few self-custodial crypto Mastercards available today. Unlike most other crypto cards, Ready never holds or controls your funds, your crypto stays in your self-custodial wallet until you make a payment. That said, the card currently supports USDC only for spending, and it is currently available for application to residents of the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area (EEA) only, so it is not an option for US-based users.
MyCardCompare compared Ready Card against 200+ cards in the crypto debit card category. Below, we break down its plans, fees, rewards, security model, and how it stacks up against alternatives, all figures verified as of July 2026.
Ready Card is one of the few self-custodial crypto cards on the market, see how it scores against the competition. View card →
1. What Is Ready Card? (Product Overview and Who It's For)
The Ready Metal Card is a premium self-custodial Mastercard debit card for spending crypto while retaining asset control. Ready started life as Argent, one of the earliest and most polished smart contract wallets on Ethereum and later Starknet. Over 2 million downloads. Zero security breaches across 9 years of continuous wallet operation. The team rebranded to Ready in late 2025 and launched the Ready Card.
Kulipa, the regulated card issuer behind Ready, handles KYC and card issuance.
Ideal User Profiles
- Crypto holders who want to spend daily. The core philosophy: your crypto stays in your wallet until the exact moment you swipe.
- Travellers looking to minimise FX fees. Ready Metal Card has no FX fees, conversion fees, or top-up fees.
- Cashback seekers without a traditional bank. Both tiers earn cashback in STRK tokens, no staking required.
The key differentiator is the self-custody model. No pre-funding an exchange account. No custodial intermediary holding your funds overnight. No counterparty risk from exchange insolvency.
2. Ready Card Plans, Tiers, and Pricing (Lite vs. Metal)
Ready offers two types of cards: Ready Metal and Ready Lite.
Ready Card Lite Plan
Ready Lite Card is free. You only have to pay a standard shipping fee of $6.99. It includes 0.5% cashback in STRK and a 1% FX fee on card transactions.
Ready Card Metal Plan
Ready Metal Card is 120 USDC for the first year, paid upfront. It will not automatically renew after one year. Metal includes 0% FX fees, 3% STRK cashback, a 16g metal card, and exclusive benefits on Ramp, Layerswap, Koinly, Nansen, StarknetID, Airalo, and NordVPN.
Feature | Ready Lite | Ready Metal |
|---|---|---|
Annual fee | Free ($6.99 shipping) | 120 USDC/year |
FX fee | 1% | 0% |
Cashback | 0.5% in STRK | 3% in STRK |
Monthly cashback cap | $150/month (shared) | $150/month ($5,000 spend cap) |
Free ATM allowance | $200/month | $800/month |
ATM fee beyond allowance | 2% | 2% |
Card material | Plastic | 16g metal (gold or platinum) |
Self-custody | Yes | Yes |
Daily spending limit | $10,000 | $10,000 |
Rolling 30-day limit | $30,000 | $30,000 |
Below $333/month in spending, Lite is free and costs nothing. Above $333/month, Metal earns more than its $120 annual fee in cashback.
3. Ready Card Fees Breakdown
Fee transparency is a significant advantage for Ready Card. No hidden markups on exchange rates: they use the official Mastercard exchange rate without markups.
Cardholder and Account Fees
- Card issuance: Metal is included in the $120 annual fee (free express shipping); Lite is free with $6.99 shipping.
- Monthly subscription: None, Metal is annual only; Lite has no recurring fee.
- Inactivity fee: None confirmed in the current fee schedule.
Ready Card FX Fees
Ready Metal has 0% FX fees, while Ready Lite has a 1% FX fee on card transactions. No crypto-to-fiat conversion fees: unlike other cards, they charge no hidden spreads when converting crypto to fiat.
For context, traditional banks typically charge 1.5%–3% on foreign transactions. The Metal card's 0% FX rate places it among the lowest-cost options for cross-currency spending, comparable to the best rates from Wise or Revolut's premium tiers. The Lite tier's 0.5% cashback is below the 1% FX fee, meaning most EEA/UK users lose money net on every Lite transaction when spending in non-USD currencies.
Ready Card ATM Fees
Ready Metal members get up to $800/month in fee-free withdrawals. Ready Lite cardholders pay a 2% fee on all ATM withdrawals. Some ATM providers may charge additional third-party fees.
4. Cashback and Rewards Programme
Earning Cashback
The Ready Metal Card offers a competitive cashback program funded by the Starknet Foundation: 3% cashback in STRK tokens on up to $5,000 spent each month. The Ready Lite Card offers a more modest but still competitive cashback rate: 0.5% cashback in STRK tokens on up to $5,000 spent each month.
Excluded transaction categories include gambling, ATM withdrawals, money transfers, and financial services.
Redeeming Ready Card Rewards
Ready Rewards is part of their vision to build the crypto alternative to your bank. Instead of only rewarding card spending, they now reward activity across the entire Ready app. Points can be used to refund eligible purchases directly in the app. Points currently do not expire while the Ready Rewards program remains active.
Note that cashback is paid in STRK tokens, not stablecoins or fiat. This introduces token price risk: if STRK appreciates, your cashback becomes worth more than 3% in dollar terms; if STRK depreciates, your effective cashback rate drops below 3%.
5. Crypto Support and Spending
Spending Crypto at the Point of Sale
Ready currently supports USDC only. No ETH, BTC, or other tokens can be spent directly. Your USDC is converted to fiat at the time of purchase using the official Mastercard exchange rate. Ready Card is a standard Mastercard at the point of sale. Merchants see a contactless payment; there is nothing crypto-specific about the transaction experience from their side.
Spending crypto may constitute a taxable event in most jurisdictions. Consult a qualified tax professional regarding your specific situation.
In-App Crypto Features
You can fund your account via bank deposits, send money directly from your bank account to Ready, and funds are automatically converted to USDC, instantly spendable. The app also supports buying crypto via Ramp or Banxa, and bridging assets from exchanges or other wallets using the built-in Layerswap integration.
Compare Ready Card's fees and cashback against other self-custody options in one place. View card →
6. ATM Withdrawal Limits and Conditions
Spending and ATM limits (same for both plans): single transaction maximum $5,000. Daily spending limit $10,000. Rolling 30-day limit $30,000. ATM: $500/day, $2,500 per rolling 30 days, $30,000/year.
The $2,500 limit is based on a rolling 30-day window, not a calendar month. This means withdrawals made on any given day count against your limit for the next 30 days.
To access higher limits, upgrading from Lite to Metal unlocks the $800/month fee-free ATM allowance. If you're planning a purchase above these limits, contact their support team in advance, they may be able to temporarily increase your limit on a case-by-case basis.
7. Security and Self-Custody Model
How Self-Custody Works
Ready's card architecture is distinct among crypto cards: your funds live in a Starknet smart contract account that requires two signatures for any operation, yours and Ready's co-signer. This dual-signature model prevents double-spending while maintaining user control. If Ready disappears, your funds remain in the smart contract and can be recovered.
Additional Security Features
- Freeze and unfreeze is available with a single tap in the app, no call to customer support required. If you misplace your card or want to pause spending temporarily, you can lock and unlock it instantly.
- If your card is used fraudulently, you won't be held responsible.
- Biometric login (Face ID/passcode) for in-app PIN viewing and transactions.
- Virtual card numbers are issued immediately after KYC, allowing online purchases before the physical card arrives.
This self-custody model contrasts sharply with custodial crypto cards, where the issuer holds your funds on your behalf, introducing counterparty risk.
8. Mobile App Experience and Payment Compatibility
Search "Ready" on the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). Ready has a 4.5-star App Store rating from 2,289 reviews.
App Features and Usability
The Ready app serves as both wallet and card management hub, balance overview, transaction history, spending analytics, and customer support access are all in one interface. The entire application process takes place inside the Ready app. There are no web forms to fill out. Most people complete everything in under 15 minutes, with KYC review adding 1–3 business days.
Ready Card Apple Pay and Google Pay
Ready Card now supports Google Pay, so you can spend crypto directly from your phone or smartwatch. Apple Pay is not yet available, Ready has confirmed it is in development and will announce a launch date when ready. Do not rely on Apple Pay being available in the near term.
9. Funding Your Card
Ready Card does not support traditional direct deposit (payroll, government benefits) in the way a bank account would. Instead, you can fund via bank deposit, send from your bank account to the IBAN shown in the app. It supports 6 fiat currencies (including GBP, EUR, USD) across 150+ countries. UK Faster Payments and SEPA are both supported.
You can also bridge USDC from exchanges like Binance, OKX, or Bybit directly into your Starknet wallet using the in-app Layerswap integration, or purchase USDC via Ramp or Banxa. With over 2 million downloads, Ready (formerly Argent) is a popular self-custody wallet known for its user-friendly experience and strong security.
10. Availability and Eligibility
Ready Card is currently available for application to residents of the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area. The EEA covers all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Ready crypto cards are not available in the United States.
- Age: 18+
- KYC: You must complete ID verification before receiving the Ready Card. This is necessary to comply with regulations, prevent fraud, and ensure the card works with traditional payment networks like Mastercard.
- Credit check: No. The Ready Card is a self-custodial Mastercard debit card, not a credit card.
Once issued, Ready Card works in 140+ countries worldwide. The application restriction only applies to the sign-up step, not to where you spend.
11. Pros and Cons Summary
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Self-custody model, no counterparty risk | Only supports USDC for spending |
3% STRK cashback (Metal) with no staking requirement | Metal plan costs $120/year upfront |
0% FX fees on Metal | Cashback paid in STRK, value fluctuates with market |
$800/month fee-free ATM withdrawals (Metal) | Apple Pay not yet supported |
9-year security track record with zero breaches | Available only to UK/EEA residents for sign-up |
Google Pay compatible | $30,000 rolling 30-day spending cap |
Ready Card's self-custody architecture is its core differentiator. For UK and EEA residents who prioritise asset control, the Metal plan offers strong economics, but only for those spending above approximately $333/month. Lite users spending in non-USD currencies will see the 1% FX fee erode the 0.5% cashback.
12. How Ready Card Compares to Alternatives
Ready Card vs. Crypto.com Visa Card
Crypto.com's Jade Green/Royal Indigo tier requires a $5,000 CRO stake and earns 3% CRO rewards on card spending. Ready Metal matches that 3% rate for just $120/year with no staking required. However, Crypto.com supports 350+ crypto assets for spending, while Ready supports USDC only. Crypto.com is also a custodial product, your funds sit on their platform.
Ready Card vs. Coinbase Card
The Coinbase Card is a Visa debit card, funded by your Coinbase balance, usable in millions of locations worldwide. When you spend, you'll pay a 2.49% crypto liquidation fee, but you can also get up to 4% crypto cashback. The 2.49% liquidation fee significantly cuts into net returns. Ready Metal's 0% conversion fee gives it a clear edge on spending cost, though Coinbase offers broader asset support.
Ready Card vs. Wirex
Wirex offers its Cryptoback programme paying rewards in WXT tokens and supports multiple cryptocurrencies for spending. However, Wirex is custodial: your funds sit on their platform. Both are regulated, but regulated and risk-free are not the same thing. Ready's 0% FX (Metal) also undercuts Wirex's non-domestic FX charges on higher-tier plans.
When Ready Card is the stronger pick: self-custody is a priority, you spend primarily in USDC, and you want 0% FX fees in the UK/EEA. When a competitor may suit better: you need broader crypto asset support, US availability, or Apple Pay compatibility.
See how Ready Card stacks up against other crypto cards side by side, fees, cashback, and availability compared. Compare cards →
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are Ready Card's fees for ATM withdrawals?
Ready Metal members can withdraw up to $800/month for free, anywhere in the world. A 2% fee applies to amounts beyond this limit. Ready Lite cardholders pay a 2% fee on all ATM withdrawals. Both plans share a $500/day and $2,500 rolling 30-day ATM cap. Third-party ATM operator fees may also apply.
Does Ready Card offer cashback on all purchases?
Cashback applies to most everyday purchases. All transactions qualify except for restricted categories such as gambling, cash equivalent transactions (ATM withdrawals), money transfers, and other financial services. Metal earns 3% and Lite earns 0.5%, both in STRK tokens, capped at $150/month.
Is Ready Card a self-custody crypto card?
Yes. Unlike most other crypto cards, Ready never holds or controls your funds. Your crypto stays in your self-custodial wallet until you make a payment. The card simply facilitates spending while you remain in full control of your assets.
What countries is Ready Card available in?
Ready Card is currently available for application to residents of the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area (EEA). The EEA covers all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. It is not available in the US. Once issued, the card works at Mastercard-accepting merchants in 140+ countries.
Does Ready Card work with Apple Pay and Google Pay?
Ready Card now supports Google Pay. They're working on Apple Pay integration. Expected rollout dates will be announced soon. As of July 2026, Apple Pay is not yet supported.
How does Ready Card's FX fee compare to Revolut or Wise?
Ready Metal charges 0% FX with no markup on the official Mastercard exchange rate, matching or beating Revolut's standard plan (which applies weekend markups) and Wise's typical 0.35%–0.6% conversion fee. Ready Lite's 1% FX fee is higher than both, making Lite less competitive for frequent cross-currency spending.
Conclusion: Is Ready Card Worth It?
Ready Card fills a specific but meaningful niche: self-custodial crypto spending with competitive economics. The Metal plan, at $120/year with 3% STRK cashback, 0% FX, and $800/month in fee-free ATM withdrawals, is well-suited for UK and EEA residents who spend $333/month or more and value not handing their crypto to a custodian.
The Lite plan works as a zero-cost entry point for testing self-custodial spending on Starknet, though its 1% FX fee undermines the 0.5% cashback for non-USD transactions.
The trade-offs are clear: USDC-only support, no Apple Pay (yet), and availability limited to UK/EEA sign-ups. For users who need broader asset support or are based outside these regions, custodial alternatives like Crypto.com or Coinbase may be more practical, though they carry counterparty risk that Ready Card avoids by design.
MyCardCompare is an independent comparison platform, not a bank, card issuer, or financial advisor. The information above is comparative only, not personalised financial advice. Scores reflect MyCardCompare's independent editorial assessment, updated regularly. Where special offers exist through direct issuer relationships, those relationships fund the offer, they never influence the card's score or placement.
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