Multi currency cards and cryptocurrencies enabled: what are the differences?

Understand multi currency cards and cryptocurrencies

Among the most talked about options are multi currency cards and cryptocurrency-enabled cards. Both allow international payments and bring more convenience to those who travel or shop on foreign websites. However, despite the similarities, they work in very different ways.

If you are unsure about which one to choose or just want to better understand how each one works, keep reading. In this content, we will explain what each type of card is, how they work, their main advantages and differences.

What is a Multi-Currency Card?

A multi currency card is a type of debit or prepaid card that allows you to load multiple foreign currencies onto a single account.

It’s widely used by international travelers and people who shop on foreign websites because it lets you pay directly in the local currency, avoiding costly automatic currency conversions from your home currency.

For example, you can load the card with US dollars (USD), euros (EUR), British pounds (GBP), among other currencies, and use it normally for purchases, withdrawals, and payments at physical or online merchants.

Advantages of a multi-currency card:

• Savings on conversion fees: since you already hold the foreign currency, there’s no need for exchange at the time of purchase;
• Better expense control: you decide in advance how much to spend in each currency;
• Wide acceptance: usually backed by Visa or Mastercard, these cards are accepted at millions of locations worldwide.

What is a Crypto-Enabled Card?

Crypto-enabled cards, on the other hand, work a bit differently. These cards are connected to digital cryptocurrency wallets, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, among others, and allow you to make everyday payments using your crypto balance.

In practice, the process is similar to that of a traditional card, but with an extra step: when you make a purchase, the crypto platform or card provider automatically converts the crypto amount into fiat currency (like USD, EUR, or your local currency), and the transaction is processed.

Advantages of a crypto-enabled card:

• Direct use of crypto for daily spending: no need to manually convert crypto to cash before spending;
• Global access: works in any country, as long as the merchant accepts the card’s brand;
• Integration with digital wallets: typically linked to platforms like Binance, Crypto.com, or Bitpay, allowing real-time management.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choosing between a multi-currency card and a crypto-enabled card depends on your profile and goals. If you travel frequently and want to avoid fluctuating exchange rates, the multi currency card might be the best fit. It provides spending predictability since you load the desired currency in advance.

If you invest in cryptocurrencies and want more flexibility to use them daily, the crypto card can be a smart choice. It lets you pay with Bitcoin or other digital assets without needing to convert manually.

Key Differences Between the Two Card Types

Although both cards support transactions in multiple currencies, the source of funds and the conversion process are the main differentiators. Check the comparison below:

Feature	Multi-Currency Card	Crypto-Enabled Card
Balance Type	Fiat currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.)	Cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, USDT, etc.)
Currency Conversion	User loads and selects the currency in advance	Automatic crypto-to-fiat conversion at the time of purchase
Exchange Control	Exchange is done at the time of loading	Exchange occurs at the moment of the transaction
Value Fluctuation	Preloaded amount is fixed in chosen currency	Value depends on crypto market prices at the time of payment
Main Purpose	Facilitate international travel and purchases with lower cost	Enable the use of crypto in everyday transactions

Final Thoughts

Fintech innovations are making payment methods more flexible and user-friendly. Both multi-currency cards and crypto-enabled cards offer practical solutions for those looking beyond the traditional debit or credit card.

Understanding how each card works helps you save money and better manage your finances, whether you’re planning a trip or looking to make the most of your crypto assets in everyday life.

Before choosing, consider the associated fees, card acceptance, extra services offered by the issuer, and of course, platform security. With the right choice, your purchases, in dollars, euros, or bitcoins, will be much simpler and more efficient.

Written by

Juliana Raquel