Virtual-Only Crypto Cards: What You Give Up

Several of the highest-rated cards here have no plastic at all. That is fine online and at a till — and a problem at an ATM, a hotel desk or a car rental counter.

By cryptocards.one3 min read

A virtual card is a number in an app. It works online immediately, and in shops through Apple Pay or Google Pay. For a lot of spending, that is everything you need — and it is free and instant, which plastic is not.

Then there are the four places it fails.

1. ATMs

This is the absolute limit. A virtual card cannot withdraw cash, whatever the fee schedule says. That rules out as a sole card:

  • Solid — 3% in USDC, no ATM access
  • MEXC Global — 4% in USDT, virtual only
  • SolCard — no ATM access on either card
  • Exa — virtual, no cash withdrawals
  • Kolo — virtual today, physical card planned

2. Deposits and holds

Hotels, car rental desks and fuel pumps place a hold that can exceed the final bill and sit for days. Some of those counters will not accept a phone wallet at all, and a prepaid or virtual card is refused more often than a debit card. Our hotel deposits guide goes through what to expect.

3. Terminals that have not caught up

Contactless coverage is good in Europe and patchy elsewhere. In markets where chip-and-PIN still dominates, or at unattended machines like parking meters and tolls, a phone wallet may simply not be an option.

4. Backup

One card is a single point of failure. Ready's cardholders found that out when their card stopped working with an hour's notice — the ones carrying a second card had an evening; the ones who weren't had a problem.

What plastic costs

Physical cards usually cost something up front, which is the trade you are making:

Several cards give you a virtual card instantly and post the plastic afterwards, which is the best of both: spend today, cash next week.

A sensible arrangement

Most people are best served by two cards rather than one:

  1. A virtual card for everyday spending, chosen on rate and fees — this is where the strongest rewards are.
  2. A physical card for cash, deposits and travel, chosen on ATM allowance and FX.

You can see which cards issue plastic on each card page, and the Card Finder can filter for an instant virtual card if that is what you need first.

Common questions

Can a virtual card be used in a shop?

Yes, through Apple Pay or Google Pay wherever contactless is accepted. What it cannot do is work at an ATM, or be handed over where a physical card is required.

Which crypto cards are virtual-only?

Solid, MEXC Global, SolCard, Exa and Kolo have no physical card today, though Kolo says one is planned. Several other cards issue a virtual card instantly and post plastic later.

Do I need a physical card at all?

Only for cash, and for places that insist on the card itself — some hotels, car rental desks and older terminals. If you never need those, a virtual card costs less and arrives instantly.

Cards mentioned in this article

Card figures referenced here come from each issuer's published terms and each card page shows when its data was last verified — see our methodology for how, and the changelog for what has changed since. Rewards and availability vary by region and move often. Not financial advice.

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