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Blockcard Review 2023: Fees, Tiers and Benefits
Luis Clark
- URL: https://unbanked.com/debit-card/united-states/blockcard/
- Physical Card Cost: $10
- Cash back: Up to 6.38%
- Annual Fee: None
- Platform App: Desktop/Mobile
- Staking Rewards: 1% to 6%
- No. of Cryptocurrencies Supported: 15+
- Type of Card: Visa debit card
Blockcard review US: Our Opinion
The BlockCard US prepaid card enables customers to conveniently spend cryptocurrency funds. This card offers a lot of advantages. It comes with zero deposits, withdrawal, and exchange fees. Furthermore, cardholders can spend anywhere Visa is accepted and earn cashback and staking rewards.
However, the BlockCard debit card only supports around fifteen cryptocurrencies, and users must spend at least $750 monthly to avoid being charged a $5 monthly fee.
An Overview of Blockcard
Ian Kane and Daniel Gouldman established Unbanked in 2018. The aim was to provide clients with a better, quicker, and less expensive way to exchange value with one another, irrespective of their location.
The founders rebelled against the status quo that has plagued traditional banking for years. They did this because they believed that having access to and control over one’s finances is a human right that can be enabled through the blockchain.
Building on that goal, Unbanked was created to offer various solutions to anyone seeking more financial autonomy and control. The platform is accessible globally and caters to accounts in over 200 countries.
In this section, our BlockCard review will cover the advantages and disadvantages associated with the BlockCard.
Pros
- It provides instant cryptocurrency to fiat payment conversions
- There are no Blockcard fees for crypto deposits, withdrawals, or currency exchanges
- Users can receive up to 6.38% cashback when they pay for transactions with BlockCard
- Up to 6% interest from staking
- The crypto debit card is available in three different formats: virtual, plastic, and metal.
- Users receive a free bank account insured by FDIC (federal deposit insurance corporation) when they sign up
- Multiple card funding methods, including Crypto, ACH, Wire transfer, and Retail deposit
- Customers can pair their card with Apple, Google, or Samsung Pay to make payments or swipe normally.
Cons
- ATM cash withdrawal and PIN (Personal identification number) fees for international transactions are relatively high.
- Only TERN, the card native token can be staked to earn rewards, and in funding,
- Charges $5 monthly if a $750 spending limit is not reached
Blockcard: What is it?
BlockCard was launched in 2019 by Unbanked (formerly Ternio) and the Metropolitan Commercial Bank of New York. It aims to accelerate crypto adoption by the general public through quick cryptocurrency payments.
The BlockCard cryptocurrency debit card comes with multiple benefits for its users, including zero transaction, exchange, and deposit fees. In addition, users can choose from a variety of card types, such as virtual, plastic, or metal cards.
BlockCard is a Visa prepaid card that can be used at any retailer that accepts VISA (around 46 million merchants worldwide). BlockCard is mainly available in the United States, but the company plans to expand to other European nations in the future.
BlockCard: How does it work?
Customers must register an Unbanked account and pass KYC before applying for the card. Once verified, they will have access to funding their account using cryptocurrencies, ACH, or wire transfers. They will also immediately have access to a virtual card. Depending on preference, customers are at liberty to order a physical plastic card for just $10.
The BlockCard crypto debit card is centered on the TERN token — BlockCard’s payment token. The user’s funds will be automatically converted into TERN once the card is funded. However, when a user uses the crypto Visa at any of the more than 50 million merchants globally, the TERN in their account will instantly be converted to USD.
The majority of the card’s features are geared toward improving TERN’s functionality. For instance, users must stake TERN in order to earn rewards using a BlockCard. Furthermore, cashback rewards are distributed in TERN tokens.
Customers also get to enjoy benefits like up to 6.38% in crypto rewards. Apart from this, cardholders can integrate their card with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay to instantly make payments by swapping.
Benefits & Perks
BlockCard offers several perks to US cardholders. Some of them include:
Multiple Crypto Support
BlockCard supports about fifteen crypto assets, including BCH, BTC, and ETH. All funds deposited will automatically convert to Ternio’s digital currency (TERN), BlockCard’s default spendable asset. When the crypto Visa card is used at any of the more than 40 million merchants globally, the TERN in a user’s account will instantly convert to USD. Customers who don’t have crypto funds in their portfolio can also fund their BlockCard using traditional methods such as Apple, Samsung, and Google Pay.
Staking Rewards
Customers can use BlockCard to stake TERN in exchange for rewards. BlockCard teamed up with Ternio to help turn the idea of a cryptocurrency rewards card into a reality.
TERN serves as the default spendable asset when users open an account. The BlockCard ecosystem also uses TERN to pay out incentives for staking. Holding money in a TERN wallet allows users to receive rewards based on the number of TERN they stake. This process is known as “staking TERN,” with rewards ranging from 1% to 6%. Investors must stake 145,000 TERN to earn the maximum staking return of 6%.
When users select their initial staking level, it starts their first 30-day rewards cycle, during which they will earn rewards and their staking funds will be locked. When the 30 days end, the customers can decide to rollover their funds automatically into the subsequent month. However, users can initiate a cancellation in the Rewards section of their account dashboard at any time, and this will be processed at the end of the current cycle they are in.
Cryptocurrencies Supported
The BlockCard prepaid Visa cards allow US residents to deposit their cryptocurrency, and spend in USD in minutes while earning interest. However, they have access to just 15 crypto assets. These are the cryptocurrencies supported:
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
- Basic Attention Token
- Bitcoin Cash
- Ternio
- Dai
- Litecoin
- Stellar
- Pax Dollar
- Tether
- USD Coin
- TrueUSD
- Cronos
- Uniswap
- Solana
Fees Explained
The affordable fee structure of BlockCard is another selling point of this crypto debit card. The user pays zero fees for cryptocurrency deposits, withdrawals, or exchanges.
However, anyone who spends less than $750 in a given month will be charged a $5 monthly fee. There is a $3.00 fee for using the ATM for cash withdrawals; this fee rises to $3.50 if customers use an international ATM.
Furthermore, PIN (personal identification number) transactions cost $1 for domestic transactions and $2 for international transactions. A PIN transaction occurs when a buyer initiates a purchase that requires the card PIN for approval.
Highlighted in the table below are the fees associated with using BlockCard:
Different Card Holder Tiers
BlockCard Visa cards come in three options: a virtual card, a plastic card, and a metal card.
Virtual Card
The first option is a virtual card with a $5,000 daily spending cap and round-the-clock customer support. However, the ATM withdrawal limit for this tier is not specified.
Plastic Card
To obtain a physical plastic debit card, which is the next option, users must pay $10, which also comes with a free virtual card in exchange for payment. It has a $5,000 daily spending limit and a $500 daily ATM withdrawal restriction, and 24/7 customer service is also included with the physical card.
Metal Card
The third option is the metal physical card, which is not yet available. This also comes with a $5,000 daily spending limit, a $500 daily ATM withdrawal restriction, and 24/7 customer service.
Opening an Account
US residents must create and verify their accounts before getting a BlockCard. Below are the steps to follow to open a BlockCard account:
Sign Up
To sign up, users should visit the website, navigate to the top right-hand corner, and click “Open an account.” After that, enter basic information such as your name, email address, phone number, country, and password. Then click “Register now.”
Users will receive an email from Unbanked with a verification link. Click on it to activate the account.
Verify
Customers need to pass a KYC (know-your-customer) process to register their BlockCard account. The process involves completing their personal profile and providing personal information. Then users will have to provide a government-issued ID like a passport or driver’s license.
Furthermore, investors must take a picture of both sides of their ID and upload them to the platform. Then click ‘Verify.” Once done, the bank account will activate.
Deposit
Customers have automatic access to the virtual debit cards once their account is verified. They can fund their account by clicking on the “Deposit” tab and choosing their payment method, including crypto, credit, or debit card.
BlockCard App
BlockCard understands customers’ desire for a single application to manage their funds. The BlockCard mobile app allows customers to check their balance, deposit money, send money, and even recommend friends while doing everything at the press of a button. Crypto traders can view their account balance and USD spending power in real-time from the dashboard.
Users who want to access their account from their mobile app should simply:
- Launch their device browser and open the Unbanked website
- Go to the “Account Dashboard ”
- Click on the “Share” button
- Tap “Add to Home Screen”
The dashboard will update users instantly as they make deposits, withdrawals, and other transactions to ensure accurate information.
Customer Satisfaction
BlockCard claims to provide 24/7 customer service through various channels for US residents. This includes a “Contact Us” option where users can submit a ticket and the FAQ section for self-help. We could not find a live chat or phone number to address customers’ needs.
Despite these options, the reputable third-party app Trustpilot only gave BlockCard an above-average rating of 3.0 stars out of 5. There were positive reviews from some customers, who cited the quick customer response and easy sign-up. However, there were negative reviews about slow customer response and suspicious closing of accounts with refunds.
Is BlockCard Right for You?
BlockCard is ideal for crypto enthusiasts in the United States. The card offers a simple way to spend cryptocurrencies for day-to-day transactions anywhere Visa is accepted. Cardholders also get to enjoy 24/7 customer service and cashback rewards when they use the card.
However, the traders who do not meet the $750 monthly spending limit will have to cough up $5 in monthly fee charges. Other fees, like international ATM fees and foreign PIN transactions, may see their fees rise. The card is more suitable for local US residents than for international usage.
Final Thoughts
The BlockCard crypto debit cards appeal to US crypto investors due to their ease of use and rewards for spending cryptocurrencies.
In our BlockCard review we highlighted that the card comes in different tiers with competitive fees. Cardholders can easily convert their crypto assets to dollars and spend them wherever Visa is accepted in the world. They also get to enjoy perks like cashback and staking rewards.
However, the card fees for international PIN transaction fees and ATM withdrawals may quickly pile up, which is limiting. The card also supports a small selection of just 15 cryptocurrencies. This may be unconvincing for investors with a larger crypto portfolio.
If you want to know more about on BlockCard Competitors and other Crypto Cards, you can check out our list of the Best Crypto Cards USA Reviews.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
The BlockCard Visa Card is issued to customers by the Metropolitan Commercial Bank (a member of the FDIC). Cryptocurrencies and other non-fiat currencies are converted to US dollars before being used on the card
BlockCard has a daily spending limit of $5,000 and a daily withdrawal limit of $500 on all its card tiers. The limit is the same for either the virtual, plastic, or metal card.
The transfer will be declined. The account linked to the card will, however, remain uncompromised. Users will need to request another card to spend the funds in their accounts.
The card lasts according to the expiration date, which is written on the front of the card when received. Users can however use the card anywhere Visa is accepted for purchase or withdraw cash from ATMs.
We always try to provide the most accurate information available, and make sure our team follow through.
If you want to know more about our Crypto Exchanges Review Methodology follow the link below
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