What Is MetaMask Card?

MetaMask Card is a Visa card tied directly to your self-custodial Ethereum wallet — you spend crypto without handing custody to a payment processor. That’s the core promise: pay with your own wallet, no intermediary holding your assets.

Signal: Non-custodial crypto spending attracts users who distrust centralized payment rails. If you’re a crypto maximalist who refuses to bridge into a custodial card account, MetaMask Card is worth a look.

Why it matters: Every traditional crypto card (Crypto.com, Coinbase, Binance) requires you to deposit crypto into their custody, then use their card to spend the proceeds. MetaMask Card flips this — you keep ownership the whole time. This appeals to purists, though it comes with tradeoffs in speed and fees.

Note: Exact fees, cashback rates, and monthly spend limits vary by region and change frequently. Verify current rates on the official MetaMask Card help center before signing up.

MetaMask Card vs. ether.fi Cash — What’s Different?

ether.fi Cash is a newer non-custodial competitor (6.4% market share as of April 2026) with a fundamentally different value prop: it pays up to 3 % cashback while your ETH stays staked. Both keep you in control, but the reward model diverges sharply.

Custody model comparison:

  • MetaMask Card: Non-custodial; you hold keys throughout
  • ether.fi Cash: Non-custodial; you hold keys, ETH earns staking yield simultaneously

Cashback and rewards:

  • MetaMask Card: Verify current rates on issuer site (varies by region)
  • ether.fi Cash: Up to 3 % cashback on all spending

FX and fees:

  • MetaMask Card: Check regional fee schedule (varies, changes frequently)
  • ether.fi Cash: 0 % FX on USD and EUR; 1 % on all other currencies

Physical card availability:

  • MetaMask Card: Yes, but regional restrictions apply
  • ether.fi Cash: Yes, with expedited shipping for Pinnacle tier

Risk: MetaMask Card’s fee structure is less transparent in public docs than ether.fi’s. If you’re comparing on cost, always pull the current fee schedule from MetaMask’s official site — rates vary by country and can change without notice.

Why it matters: ether.fi Cash’s staking angle is unique — you earn yield on your ETH while the card lets you spend it. MetaMask Card doesn’t offer staking integration, so your capital sits idle when the card isn’t active. For long-term ETH holders, ether.fi’s model is more efficient.

Otherwise, both skip the custodial middleman. The choice comes down to: do you want cashback + staking yields (ether.fi), or a simpler non-custodial experience (MetaMask)?

MetaMask vs. Kast Card and Uphold Card

Kast Card and Uphold Card are less well-known rivals in the on-chain crypto-card space. Understanding where they fit helps clarify MetaMask Card’s positioning.

Kast Card overview:

Kast Card is another non-custodial option, though market data is limited. Like MetaMask, it prioritizes self-custody throughout the spending flow. Verify Kast Card’s current cashback and fee structure on their official site — the details shift as the product matures.

Signal: If you care most about non-custodial UX, any of MetaMask, Kast, or ether.fi might fit. But ether.fi Cash stands out because it combines non-custody with staking yield — a feature the others don’t offer.

Uphold Card overview:

Uphold Card operates under a custodial model, meaning Uphold holds your crypto while the card draws from it. This is closer to Crypto.com or Coinbase in architecture — easier to use, but you lose self-custody during the card-spending cycle.

Why it matters: The non-custodial vs. custodial split is fundamental. If you refuse to deposit crypto with a third party, Uphold Card is off the table. MetaMask and Kast keep you in control; ether.fi does the same plus stakes your ETH for yield.

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When MetaMask Card Makes Sense

MetaMask Card is ideal if:

  • You’re an Ethereum-focused holder who won’t move coins to a custodial exchange.
  • You want a branded, recognizable wallet integrated with your payment card.
  • You prioritize simplicity over cashback or staking rewards.
  • Your region has good MetaMask Card support and your spend profile matches the available tiers.

Key metric: MetaMask Card’s 1 % market share (April 2026) means it’s established and battle-tested, but ether.fi’s 6.4 % share and newer technology stack suggest the non-custodial space is consolidating around staking-enabled cards.

Alternative: If staking yield matters to you, [ether.fi Cash](https://www.ether.fi/@defycard) replaces the MetaMask + separate staking setup with one card. You get both spending and staking in one product, no capital sitting idle.

What to Watch

  • FX fee updates: MetaMask Card’s foreign-exchange markup varies by region and issuer; confirm before international trips.
  • Cashback or reward launches: If MetaMask adds rewards later in 2026, the comparison shifts; monitor MetaMask announcements.
  • Staking integration: Watch for MetaMask or Kast to add staking yields; ether.fi currently has this unique edge.
  • Regional availability: Non-custodial card availability is highly regional; verify your country is supported on official sites.
  • Issuer changes: MetaMask Cards are issued by third parties, not MetaMask directly — issuer changes can affect features or fees.

Bottom Line

  • MetaMask Card is a solid non-custodial option if you want Ethereum-native spending without giving up self-custody — it’s trusted and widely adopted.
  • ether.fi Cash is the winner for yield seekers — it combines non-custody with up to 3 % cashback and continuous ETH staking in one product.
  • Kast Card and Uphold Card fill niches; verify their current terms carefully, as smaller products shift features more often.
  • If you fit the “yield-while-spending” profile, [sign up for ether.fi Cash](https://www.ether.fi/@defycard) — it’s the only card offering non-custody + staking in one product.

FAQ

Q: Is MetaMask Card available in my country? A: Regional support varies and changes over time. Check the official MetaMask Card help center for the current list of supported countries and regions.

Q: Does MetaMask Card charge annual fees? A: Fees and terms vary by region and issuer. Confirm on the official site before applying; ether.fi Cash has no annual fee, making it simpler to budget.

Q: Can I earn rewards or cashback with MetaMask Card? A: Check MetaMask’s current reward structure on their site. ether.fi Cash offers up to 3 % cashback plus staking yields — [see if it works for your region](https://www.ether.fi/@defycard).

Q: What’s the difference between MetaMask Card and ether.fi Cash? A: Both are non-custodial. MetaMask is a straightforward wallet-to-card experience. ether.fi adds staking yields on your ETH while you spend — unique in the market and the core reason to choose it over MetaMask.

Q: Is it safe to use a non-custodial crypto card? A: Non-custodial cards keep you in control of your private keys, which is safer from a hacking perspective than custodial cards. However, user error (lost keys, wrong addresses) is your responsibility. Use a hardware wallet if possible.

Q: How does Kast Card compare to MetaMask? A: Both are non-custodial; Kast is smaller and less widely known. MetaMask Card’s integration with the MetaMask wallet ecosystem gives it a UX edge. For yield, ether.fi again stands alone.

Risk & Compliance

DefyCard publishes affiliate-linked reviews; we earn commissions when you sign up via our links. This does not affect the accuracy of this review.

Crypto assets are volatile. The USD/ETH rate can swing 10 %+ in hours, affecting your card’s real purchasing power. Don’t treat crypto card spending as a substitute for stable stablecoins or fiat accounts.

MetaMask Card is available only in certain countries and regions. Check the official MetaMask Card help center to confirm your location is supported before applying. Similarly, ether.fi Cash is not available in 20 prohibited countries (Belarus, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Nepal, Netherlands, North Korea, Philippines, Russia, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, Venezuela, Vietnam) nor in 21 US states — verify ether.fi’s availability for you.

Always verify current terms on the issuer’s official site before committing to any card.