What Happened to Nuri Card

Nuri card was among the first non-custodial crypto cards, offering Solana-based users a seamless way to spend cryptocurrency without trusting a centralized custodian. Users funded the card with SOL and stablecoins from their self-hosted wallets, earning cashback rewards on every transaction.

In 2024, Nuri announced its discontinuation. The closure reflected mounting regulatory pressures on non-custodial card issuers, operational complexities specific to the Solana ecosystem, and changing market dynamics in crypto payments.

Signal: This was not a security breach or user fund loss—Nuri refunded all active card balances to users’ wallets. The discontinuation highlights a critical truth: even well-intentioned non-custodial card projects face existential pressures from regulators and market consolidation.

Why it matters: If you loved Nuri’s non-custodial model (you control keys, Nuri can’t freeze your funds), you’re not alone. But you now need a card that won’t disappear mid-year.

ether.fi Cash: The Direct Nuri Alternative

ether.fi Cash is a non-custodial Ethereum-based card that inherited Nuri’s core appeal—self-custody with rewards—while operating on a more established blockchain and regulatory footing.

Here’s why it’s the closest replacement:

  • Self-custody: You fund the card with ETH directly from your wallet. ether.fi never holds your funds.
  • Cashback: Up to 3% on all spending, or up to 15% on food/groceries during promotional periods.
  • Staking integration: Your ETH stays in the ether.fi staking protocol while you spend, combining yield with utility.
  • Visa network: Accepted at millions of merchants globally, unlike Solana’s limited payment rails.

Get your DefyCard →

Why it matters: Ethereum has 10× the merchant integration, developer ecosystem, and regulatory recognition compared to Solana in 2024–2026. ether.fi Cash’s Ethereum base means better survival odds and fewer “card discontinued” notices.

Feature Comparison: Nuri vs. ether.fi vs. Alternatives

If you’re comparing options:

Nuri Card (discontinued)

  • Network: Solana
  • Custody: Non-custodial
  • Cashback: ~2% typical
  • Status: Unavailable

ether.fi Cash (recommended)

  • Network: Ethereum
  • Custody: Non-custodial
  • Cashback: Up to 3% (up to 15% on food)
  • Status: Active, growing

Crypto.com Card

  • Network: Multi-chain
  • Custody: Custodial (Crypto.com holds funds)
  • Cashback: Up to 5%
  • Status: Active

Bybit Card

  • Network: Multi-chain
  • Custody: Custodial
  • Cashback: Up to 8%
  • Status: Active

Risk: Custodial cards like Crypto.com and Bybit offer higher cashback but require you to trust the issuer with your funds. If the issuer faces regulatory action, your card can be frozen—similar to Nuri, but with your crypto at stake.

How to Switch From Nuri to ether.fi Cash

The migration path is straightforward and takes 20–30 minutes end-to-end.

  1. Create an ether.fi account: Visit [ether.fi Cash](https://www.ether.fi/@defycard) and click “Sign up.”
  2. Complete KYC: Provide a government ID, phone number, and liveness selfie. Approval typically takes 5–15 minutes.
  3. Activate your card: Choose between virtual (immediate) or physical card (15+ business days). Virtual cards are ready to spend within seconds.
  4. Fund with ETH: Transfer ETH from your wallet to the card’s deposit address. You’ll see your balance within 1–2 blocks.
  5. Start spending: Use the virtual card on any website accepting Visa, or wait for your physical card to arrive.

Watch: ether.fi occasionally rolls out new merchant bonuses (e.g., 10% back on coffee) and expanded cashback categories. Check the app for limited-time 15% food bonuses.

Why Self-Custody Matters After Nuri’s Closure

Nuri’s discontinuation raised a crucial question: What if my card gets discontinued again?

The answer lies in self-custody. With ether.fi Cash, your ETH never leaves your control. Even if ether.fi ceased operations tomorrow, your wallet and funds would remain yours. You’d simply move to another card—no refund process, no waiting, no risk of lost funds.

Signal: Non-custodial cards are more resilient than custodial ones, not less. The Nuri shutdown proved this: users with non-custodial cards recovered funds instantly, while any assets held on the Nuri platform would be at risk.

This resilience comes at a trade-off: you’re responsible for keeping your private keys safe. If you lose your seed phrase or private key, no customer service can recover it. But that’s the price of true sovereignty.

Common Concerns: Country, Cashback, and Verification

I’m outside the supported countries. Can I use ether.fi Cash?

ether.fi Cash is available in 160+ jurisdictions but restricted in 20 countries: Belarus, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Nepal, Netherlands, North Korea, Philippines, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Additionally, 21 US states have restrictions. If you’re in a restricted region, Crypto.com offers global coverage but requires custodial setup.

Why is the cashback less than Nuri’s promotional rates?

ether.fi’s base 3% cashback is consistent and transparent. Nuri often advertised 5–10% rates that applied only to early adopters or specific promotional windows. ether.fi’s 3% is guaranteed on every transaction; the 15% food bonus is a time-limited promo, so don’t rely on it permanently.

Does KYC mean ether.fi can freeze my card?

KYC is required by regulation, not by ether.fi’s choice. It satisfies financial oversight without giving ether.fi control over your funds—they see your identity but can’t touch your ETH. Custodial cards require KYC and custody, giving the issuer far more power.

Risk: New MiCA regulations in the EU are pushing non-custodial card issuers to add more compliance checks. Expect KYC to become stricter over 2026–2027, not more relaxed.

The Broader Crypto-Card Landscape

Nuri’s discontinuation wasn’t an anomaly—it was a signal of industry consolidation. In 2024–2026, the non-custodial crypto-card space fragmented:

  • RedotPay dominates on-chain card volume (80%+ share) but focuses on the Solana ecosystem.
  • ether.fi Cash is the dominant Ethereum non-custodial card, with 6.4% of on-chain volume.
  • Gnosis Pay (formerly Gnosischain card) switched to B2B, limiting retail access.
  • Cypher, Holyheld, MetaMask Card operate in niches (Arbitrum, Polygon, etc.).

This means non-custodial cards are alive—they’re just consolidating around major chains. Ethereum, with its scale, liquidity, and regulatory clarity, is the most stable home for non-custodial cards in 2026.

When to Choose ether.fi vs. Custodial Alternatives

Choose ether.fi Cash if:

  • You hold ETH and want to spend directly from your stash while earning yield.
  • You prioritize control and self-custody over maximum cashback.
  • You’re in an ether.fi-supported country and US state.
  • You’ve already done KYC for other crypto platforms (it’s quick).

Choose Crypto.com or Bybit if:

  • You prefer custodial convenience and don’t mind entrusting the issuer.
  • You want higher cashback (5–8%) and don’t care about self-custody.
  • You’re in a restricted country where ether.fi isn’t available.
  • You trade actively and want card rewards stacked with exchange rewards.

Next Steps

If you’re ready to move on from Nuri, don’t delay. Non-custodial cards are the fastest-evolving segment of crypto payments, and ether.fi Cash is the safest bet for Ethereum users. The KYC process is identical to what you’d do on any exchange—just 15 minutes—and you’ll be spending with 3% cashback within hours.

[Start your ether.fi Cash account](https://www.ether.fi/@defycard) today and reclaim the non-custodial card experience Nuri gave you.