Are crypto cards safe? Custody explained
Not all crypto cards hold your money the same way. Understanding custody is the single most important safety question before you fund one.
Custodial vs self-custodial
A custodial card holds your crypto for you, which is convenient, but you are trusting the company (and its regulatory standing) with your funds. A self-custodial card lets you spend from your own wallet, so you keep control of the keys until the moment of purchase.
Neither is automatically “safe”. A self-custodial card can still have smart-contract risk, and a custodial one can be perfectly reputable. The point is to know which you are using.
Questions worth asking
Who issues the card and are they regulated? Where are funds held? What happens if the company fails? Is the card available (and legal) where you live? A card marketed as “self-custody” may quietly custody your balance, so verify the specifics.
Practical safety tips
Only keep on the card what you plan to spend soon, complete identity checks early, use one consistent account, and confirm availability for your country before funding. Treat any card’s terms as subject to change.
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