The integration of digital assets into daily commerce has reached a new milestone as the MetaMask Card officially rolls out across the United States. Following a successful pilot phase that began in late 2024, the self-custodial debit card is now available to users in 49 states, including New York. Developed in collaboration with Mastercard and Baanx (now operating as Monavate), the card allows users to spend their cryptocurrency directly from their wallets at over 150 million merchants worldwide.
Alongside the broad release, a premium MetaMask Metal Card has been introduced, offering enhanced physical aesthetics and a more robust rewards structure for frequent users. This development marks a significant shift in how crypto-to-fiat transactions are handled, prioritizing user autonomy and real-time conversion over traditional custodial pre-loading methods.
Key Takeaways
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National Availability: Now live in 49 U.S. states; New York is included for the first time, while Vermont remains excluded.
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Self-Custodial Model: Funds remain in the user's wallet until the exact moment of purchase, removing the need to pre-fund a custodial account.
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Premium Metal Tier: A 16-gram stainless steel physical card is available for a $199 annual fee, featuring higher spending limits.
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Technical Infrastructure: Issued by Cross River Bank, the card operates on the Mastercard network and utilizes the Linea L2 network for efficient transaction processing.
Bridging the Gap Between Web3 and Everyday Spending
For years, the primary hurdle for cryptocurrency enthusiasts has been the "off-ramp" process—moving assets from a private wallet to a bank account to spend them in the real world. The MetaMask Card aims to eliminate this friction. By utilizing Mastercard’s global payments network, the card treats a user’s on-chain balance like a traditional checking account.
The core appeal for many users is the self-custody aspect. Unlike most crypto cards that require users to send funds to a centralized exchange's wallet days or weeks before spending, the MetaMask Card keeps the assets in the user's control. Only when the card is swiped (or tapped via Apple Pay/Google Pay) does the system authorize an instant conversion from digital assets like USDC, USDT, or wETH into US Dollars.
The Premium Experience: MetaMask Metal Card
With the US launch, MetaMask is leaning into the "lifestyle" aspect of crypto with its premium metal card. This 16-gram stainless steel card is positioned as a high-end tool for the power user.
Enhanced Rewards and Limits
While the standard virtual card offers a baseline of 1% cashback, the Metal tier increases this to 3% on the first $10,000 spent annually. These rewards are distributed as on-chain rewards in the form of mUSD, a stablecoin-pegged asset that users can then hold, swap, or spend again.
| Feature | Virtual Tier (Free) | Metal Tier ($199/yr) |
| Daily Spend Limit | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Cashback | 1% mUSD | 3% (up to $10k spend) |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | 0.5% - 1% | $0 |
| ATM Withdrawal Limit | $1,000 / day | $5,000 / day |
Travel and Lifestyle Perks
Beyond the physical card, Metal subscribers gain access to the MetaMask Card Travel program. This includes discounts of up to 60% at select hotels through partnerships with Entravel, and an additional 4% off at checkout. For the nomadic crypto user, the removal of foreign transaction fees on the Metal tier provides a tangible cost-saving benefit compared to the virtual-only version.
Security and Regulatory Compliance in the US
A nationwide rollout in the United States requires navigating a complex web of state-level regulations. The partnership with Cross River Bank, a New Jersey-based leader in fintech banking, provides the necessary regulatory backbone for the card's issuance.
KYC and Identity Verification
To comply with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, users must undergo identity verification during the sign-up process. This process is handled within the MetaMask Portfolio or mobile app, typically taking only a few minutes.
Security Features
Because the card is integrated with the Mastercard network, it inherits standard consumer protections, including:
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Mastercard ID Theft Protection
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Zero Liability Protection for unauthorized transactions
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Price Protection on eligible purchases
Furthermore, because it is self-custodial, the user remains the sole owner of their private keys. The card "delegates" a specific spending limit that the user approves on-chain, ensuring that a lost card does not mean a compromised seed phrase.
Technical Integration: The Role of Linea and L2
Efficiency is a cornerstone of this product. To keep transaction costs low and speeds high, the MetaMask Card primarily utilizes the Linea network, an Ethereum Layer 2 (L2) developed by Consensys.
When a transaction occurs, the gas fees on Linea are typically negligible (often around $0.01), making it feasible for small purchases like coffee. Currently, the card supports a variety of assets across Linea, Base, and Solana, including:
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Stablecoins: USDC, USDT, mUSD, EURe, and GBPe.
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Wrapped Assets: wETH.
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Yield-Bearing Tokens: aUSDC and amUSD (enabling users to earn interest on their balance until the moment it is spent).
Conclusion: A New Standard for Crypto Utility
The US launch of the MetaMask Card suggests that the crypto industry is moving away from purely speculative assets and toward functional, daily-use tools. By offering a high-tier metal card with competitive cashback rewards, MetaMask is positioning itself not just as a wallet provider, but as a comprehensive financial hub.
For the average crypto user in the US, the ability to spend on-chain assets seamlessly—while earning rewards and maintaining custody—represents a significant evolution in the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem.
FAQs
Which US states are eligible for the MetaMask Card?
The card is available in 49 states, including New York. As of February 2026, Vermont is the only state where the card is not yet available due to local regulatory requirements.
How do I earn the 3% cashback?
The 3% cashback is exclusive to the MetaMask Metal Card tier. It applies to the first $10,000 of eligible spending each year. After reaching that limit, the cashback rate returns to the standard 1%. Rewards are paid out in mUSD on-chain.
Does the MetaMask Card require a bank account?
No. One of the primary benefits is that it connects directly to your MetaMask wallet. While you must pass a KYC check with the issuer (Cross River Bank), you do not need to link a traditional bank account to fund the card.
Can I use the card with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
Yes. Upon approval, a virtual version of the card is issued instantly. You can add this digital card to Apple Pay or Google Pay for immediate use at physical and online merchants.
What are the main differences between the Virtual and Metal tiers?
The Virtual tier has no annual fee but carries some foreign transaction fees and lower spending limits. The Metal tier costs $199 per year, provides a physical stainless steel card, higher limits, zero foreign transaction fees, and boosted cashback rewards.