Prerequisites: What You Need to Get Started
Before applying for a crypto card in Singapore, gather these essentials:
- Valid government ID — passport, NRIC (national ID), or driver’s license. Must be unexpired and fully visible in the photo.
- Phone number — for OTP verification during signup.
- Stable internet connection — to complete the liveness selfie (video-based identity check).
- Crypto wallet — if you don’t have one already, we recommend self-custody via MetaMask or similar (critical for non-custodial cards).
Signal: Singapore’s regulatory environment is favorable for non-custodial crypto cards. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) permits staking rewards on crypto while you spend—a unique advantage that countries like the Philippines still prohibit.
How to Get a Crypto Card in Singapore: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Choose your card and visit the issuer site
ether.fi Cash is available in Singapore and offers the highest non-custodial cashback rate among on-chain cards. Head to the ether.fi website and select “Sign Up.” You’ll see the card’s core features—up to 3 % cashback, 0 % FX on USD/EUR, and the ability to earn staking yield on your ETH while your card processes transactions.
Key metric: The top on-chain card for yield-while-spending captures 6.4% of the total non-custodial crypto-card market (April 2026).
Step 2: Create your account and verify your phone
Enter your email address and create a strong password. ether.fi will send an OTP (one-time password) to your phone. This is the first KYC gate—confirm your number within 10 minutes.
Why it matters: Phone verification blocks automated bots and flags accounts for liveness checks later. If you use a number you’ve shared widely (e.g., on forums), you may see delays during ID checks.
Step 3: Upload your government ID
You’ll be asked to provide a photo or scan of your NRIC, passport, or driver’s license. Make sure:
- The ID is fully visible (no cropping of edges).
- The photo is well-lit and in focus.
- Your face is visible in the ID photo.
- The ID is not expired.
ether.fi uses automated document verification (OCR + machine learning). The process typically completes in 2–5 minutes, though manual review can take up to 24 hours if flags are raised.
Risk: If your ID fails verification, you’ll be asked to resubmit. Common rejection reasons: glare, shadows, misalignment, or image compression. Take a second photo in natural light and try again.
Step 4: Complete the liveness selfie
ether.fi requires a short video (15–30 seconds) where you face the camera and confirm your identity. The system will ask you to:
- Look at the camera.
- Turn your head left, then right.
- Open your mouth briefly.
- Compare your selfie to your uploaded ID photo.
This is a biometric match, not a human review. It usually completes in under 5 minutes.
Watch: If you’re wearing glasses, hat, or heavy makeup during the selfie, the system may fail to match you to your ID. Remove accessories and use the same lighting as your ID photo if possible.
Step 5: Link your Ethereum wallet
Once KYC is approved, link your MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or other EVM-compatible wallet. ether.fi Cash works with any self-custodial address—you control the private keys, not the issuer. Connect your wallet, confirm the permissions, and deposit the stablecoin or ETH you plan to spend.
Signal: Non-custodial cards like ether.fi are the only option if you want to maintain self-custody and regulatory compliance simultaneously. Centralized cards (Crypto.com, Coinbase) hold your coins—a trade-off many Singapore users accept for convenience.
Why Singapore, and What About the Philippines?
Singapee is one of the world’s most crypto-friendly jurisdictions. The city-state has:
- Clear regulatory guidance on staking rewards and non-custodial cards (per MAS guidance 2024).
- Efficient fiat on/off ramps via exchanges like Kraken, Crypto.com, and local partners.
- A thriving crypto community with high card adoption rates.
How to get a crypto card in the Philippines is a different story. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) does not permit non-custodial crypto cards like ether.fi or Gnosis Pay. If you’re based in the Philippines, you have two options:
- Use a custodial card — Crypto.com or Bybit allow accounts in the Philippines (though KYC is stricter).
- Relocate your account — Some users register while traveling to Singapore or obtain a Singapore address via mail forwarding services (legally gray, not recommended).
Alternative: Crypto.com has full support for the Philippines with 2% cashback and 1% FX fees. It’s not as high as ether.fi, but it’s available and regulated in that market.
Switching from Gnosis Pay to ether.fi Cash
If you’re currently using Gnosis Pay (formerly the GnoCoin card), here’s why and how to switch:
Why switch from Gnosis Pay?
- Gnosis Pay closed direct referrals — as of 2025, you can no longer earn affiliate commissions directly. ether.fi still offers 1 % recurring cashback on referral spending.
- ether.fi has higher base cashback — up to 3% vs. Gnosis’s variable 0.5–2%.
- Promo cashback — ether.fi offers up to 15 % on food and groceries (limited-time, varies by region). Gnosis rarely runs promos.
Key metric: Switching from Gnosis Pay to ether.fi can earn you +1.5–2.5% additional cashback on routine spending.
How to switch from Gnosis Pay to ether.fi
- Sign up for ether.fi using the steps above.
- Move your balance — withdraw stablecoins or ETH from your Gnosis Pay wallet and send to your ether.fi linked address.
- Update your spending — use ether.fi for all future card transactions.
- Close Gnosis Pay (optional) — you can keep it as a backup, but most users close it after switching.
Why it matters: Gnosis Pay is transitioning to a B2B model. Direct users should plan to migrate now rather than wait for forced deprecation (expected late 2026). Ready to switch? [Get started with ether.fi Cash](
)Non-Custodial vs. Custodial Cards: Why Geography Matters
The choice between non-custodial (ether.fi, Gnosis Pay) and custodial (Crypto.com, Coinbase) depends on where you live. Singapore users have both options; Philippines users are restricted to custodial cards. Here’s why:
- Non-custodial cards require regulatory clarity that only a few jurisdictions (Singapore, parts of the EU) have provided. You control the wallet, the issuer only processes transactions.
- Custodial cards (like Crypto.com) hold your coins and are subject to tighter license requirements. They’re available in more countries but involve counterparty risk.
For how to get a crypto card in Singapore specifically, the non-custodial path gives you the best of both worlds: regulatory compliance + full self-custody + highest cashback.
What to Watch
- Regulatory changes in Singapore — MAS may tighten rules on staking-yield cards. Monitor MAS circulars and ether.fi’s compliance updates quarterly.
- ether.fi fee increases — the card currently has 0 % FX on USD/EUR, but this promo may expire. Lock in your spending now if FX savings matter to you.
- Cross-border merchant acceptance — ether.fi cards work globally on Visa rails, but some merchants (especially in Southeast Asia) still reject them. Test the card on $5–10 transactions first.
- Physical card shipping delays — ether.fi ships to Singapore, but processing can take 15+ business days. Request your card as soon as your account is verified.
- Staking yield fluctuations — the ETH staking yield that powers “yield while spending” varies with network conditions. Expect 2–5% annual yield, not a fixed rate.
Bottom Line
- How to get a crypto card in Singapore is straightforward — KYC takes 1–2 hours, card arrives in 15+ days. ether.fi Cash is the top non-custodial option with up to 3% cashback and 0% FX on major currencies.
- The Philippines question: Crypto cards are prohibited for direct non-custodial issuance. Use Crypto.com or other custodial alternatives if you’re based there.
- If you fit this profile—you’re in Singapore, hold ETH, and want to maximize cashback while maintaining self-custody—ether.fi pays you back with every transaction and every referral.
- [Start earning cashback today](
FAQ
Q: How long does the KYC process take for a crypto card in Singapore? A: Phone OTP verification is instant (10 minutes). Government ID verification typically takes 2–5 minutes via automated checks, though manual review can extend this to 24 hours. Liveness selfie is instant. Total time: 1–2 hours if everything passes on the first attempt.
Q: Can I use a crypto card in Singapore if I don’t have an NRIC (national ID)? A: ether.fi accepts passport or driver’s license. A foreign passport works if you have a Singapore address (employment letter or utility bill as proof of residence).
Q: Is ether.fi Cash legal in Singapore? A: Yes. ether.fi is compliant with MAS guidelines and does not require a Money Services Business license for non-custodial cards (you control the keys). However, Singapore’s regulations are evolving—check the MAS website for the latest guidance.
Q: How do I fund my ether.fi card if I don’t have crypto yet? A: You’ll need to buy crypto first via an exchange (Kraken, Crypto.com, Binance). Once you hold USDC, USDT, or ETH, transfer it to your linked wallet and use it to spend. ether.fi does not offer direct fiat on-ramps yet.
Q: If I switch from Gnosis Pay to ether.fi, do I lose my card balance? A: No. Your balance stays in your wallet. You simply link a new card to the same wallet and retire the old card. It’s a non-custodial system—you own the funds, not the issuer.
Q: What’s the best way to compare crypto cards before choosing one? A: Read our guide to non-custodial cards explained. For a side-by-side comparison of ether.fi vs. Crypto.com, see ether.fi vs. Crypto.com.
Risk & Disclosure
Affiliate disclosure (repeat): DefyCard is affiliated with ether.fi Cash via the link above. We may earn a commission if you sign up and spend $100 or more in your first 90 days. This does not affect the price you pay.
Crypto asset volatility: Crypto-card balances are subject to market risk. If you hold ETH or other volatile assets on your card, their USD value may fluctuate. Do not hold more on your crypto card than you can afford to lose.
Country restrictions: ether.fi Cash is not available in 20 countries (including the Philippines) and 21 US states. Verify your location before signing up. Users in prohibited regions will be unable to open accounts or may have cards frozen.
Regulatory risk: Singapore’s crypto-card regulations are favorable but evolving. The MAS may introduce new rules that affect how ether.fi operates. Always stay informed via official channels.