As cryptocurrencies steadily become a bigger part of the global financial system, achieving mass adoption is key for their future. For crypto to become mainstream, it needs to be as accessible, secure, and easy to use for everyday transactions as traditional currencies. This is where the MetaMask Card, launched in August 2024, steps in, offering a way for users to pay with crypto in real time.
What is the MetaMask Card?
MetaMask is a widely known open-source crypto wallet, launched in 2016, that allows users to interact with the Ethereum blockchain through a browser extension or mobile app. The MetaMask Card is a debit card powered by Mastercard that enables users to connect their MetaMask wallets and spend their crypto or stablecoin balances directly at any Mastercard-accepting merchant.
This new feature eliminates the need to convert crypto into fiat currencies before making a purchase, allowing for seamless transactions with digital assets. Currently, the MetaMask Card supports USDC, USDT, and wETH (wrapped Ethereum). Users can select which tokens they want to spend, set spending limits, and use the card for payments up to €8,750 per day.
How It Works: Integrating Crypto and Traditional Payments
To facilitate this innovation, MetaMask has partnered with Crypto Life, a card program manager that helps manage transactions. When a user pays with their MetaMask Card, Crypto Life handles the automatic conversion of crypto into fiat money, making transactions instantaneous. This seamless conversion means users don’t need to manually exchange their crypto into cash before spending, making it easy to use cryptocurrency at any Mastercard-compatible point of sale.
Under the Hood: Linea zkEVM
The MetaMask Card leverages Linea, a blockchain layer built on Ethereum’s zkEVM technology. Here’s what this means:
- zkEVM stands for “Zero-Knowledge Ethereum Virtual Machine.” The “zk” (zero-knowledge) component allows proofs to be made without revealing all details—similar to showing a concert ticket without sharing other personal information.
- EVM refers to the Ethereum Virtual Machine, which is the core that processes transactions and runs smart contracts on Ethereum.
Linea’s integration enables faster transactions with lower fees compared to the main Ethereum network, making the MetaMask Card more efficient for everyday purchases. For example, transactions using stablecoins like USDC and USDT incur a small Linea gas fee—usually around $0.02. When using wETH, users pay the same gas fee plus a 0.875% swap fee.
How to Get Started with the MetaMask Card
To use the MetaMask Card, users must first create an account with Crypto Life and bridge their funds to Linea. Setting up an account involves providing an email, creating a password, confirming a phone number, and completing KYC (Know Your Customer) verification to ensure security. After setting up, users can add the MetaMask Card to digital wallets like Apple Wallet or Google Wallet for easy access.
As a bonus during the initial setup, after bridging at least $5 of eligible tokens to Linea, $1 of ETH will be deposited into the user’s Linea account to cover initial transaction fees. However, additional ETH may be needed to cover future transaction costs as the initial balance is used.
Managing Your MetaMask Card
MetaMask Card users can manage their accounts through a user-friendly dashboard that allows them to:
- Freeze or unfreeze their card if needed.
- Adjust spending limits.
- View and download transaction history.
- Set spending preferences.
All transactions can be reviewed in the “Manage” tab, providing detailed information about each purchase, including the conversion rate and fees.
A Step Toward Broader Crypto Adoption
While the MetaMask Card is currently available as a pilot program with a limited number of digital-only cards for users in the UK and EU, it’s expected to roll out more broadly later this year or in early 2025. The launch of this card signals a growing trend in crypto adoption, as partnerships between blockchain companies and traditional financial institutions become more common.
This new solution aligns with the goal of making crypto transactions as straightforward as using traditional currencies. By offering a direct and simple way to pay with crypto, MetaMask and Mastercard are leading the charge in bringing digital assets closer to everyday life. Welcome to a future where using crypto is as easy as tapping your card at a checkout counter.
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