Spending cryptocurrency in everyday life is still not native to most payment systems in the US. SolCard positions itself as a bridge between crypto wallets and traditional card payments, allowing users to spend digital assets through familiar Visa/Mastercard rails.

This article explains how SolCard works in the US, what steps are required, and what practical limitations you should understand before using it.

SolCard is a crypto-funded virtual prepaid card. You do not pay merchants in crypto directly. Instead, you load crypto onto the card, it is converted to USD, and spending happens as a normal card transaction.

SolCard is a crypto-funded virtual prepaid card. You do not pay merchants in crypto directly. Instead, you load crypto onto the card, it is converted to USD, and spending happens as a normal card transaction.

At a conceptual level, the flow looks like this:

1. You deposit supported cryptocurrency into SolCard
2. SolCard converts it to a USD balance
3. You spend USD using a virtual card
4. Merchants receive fiat, not crypto

SolCard therefore acts as a custodial crypto-to-fiat bridge, not a decentralized payment protocol.

Compared to traditional financial options, SolCard is designed to unlock significantly higher yield on idle balances. While most banks offer close to zero returns and many fintechs average around mid-single-digit APYs, SolCard targets up to 9.00% APY, allowing your funds to work harder while remaining accessible for everyday spending.

APY comparison chart between SolCard, fintechs, and traditional banks.

To begin, you need to register on the SolCard platform and access the dashboard.

• Card issuance is virtual (no physical card by default)
• Initial access may not require full KYC
• Higher limits or extended usage can trigger verification

SolCard can be funded with supported assets such as SOL, USDT, and USDC on the Solana network. To top up your card, you copy your personal SolCard deposit address, send the crypto on Solana, and wait for the transaction to confirm. Once confirmed, the balance appears in your dashboard as USD. It's important to note that a top-up fee usually applies, and the conversion from crypto to USD happens when you load the card, not at the moment of purchase.

To spend in physical locations in the US, most users rely on mobile wallets. You can add SolCard to Apple Pay or Google Pay, which enables contactless "tap-to-pay" in stores and better acceptance than manual card entry.

After funding, spending works the same way as with any prepaid card. You can use SolCard for online shopping by entering the card details at checkout, pay in physical stores through Apple Pay or Google Pay, and, in some cases, use it for subscription payments depending on the merchant's policies. From the merchant's perspective, each transaction is processed as a standard Visa or Mastercard payment.

While SolCard markets simplicity, fees are part of the model.

• Crypto top-up fee (often percentage-based)
• Currency conversion fee for non-USD purchases
• Possible inactivity or service fees (depending on tier)

• Monthly spending caps on unverified accounts
• Higher limits unlocked after verification
• Refunds limited to unused balance

Always verify current limits inside the dashboard before loading large amounts.