04 Sep, 2024

Mercuryo Launches Spend, a Virtual Mastercard That Lets Users Pay With Non-custodial Crypto

Quick Take

① Mercuryo has launched Spend in Europe, enabling users to create a virtual debit card via their non-custodial crypto wallets — integrated with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

②The euro-denominated Mastercards are designed to bridge the gap with traditional payment methods.

Mercuryo Launches Spend, a Virtual Mastercardthat Lets Users Pay With Non-custodial Crypto

Crypto payments infrastructure platform Mercuryo has launched Spend in Europe — enabling users to create a virtual debit card via their non-custodial wallets to pay using 40 cryptocurrencies at over 100 million merchants in the Mastercard network.

The euro-denominated Mastercards, issued by Quicko, are designed to bridge the gap between self-custodial crypto wallets and traditional payment methods.

Spend provides digital asset holders with a widely accepted payment card that Mercuryo claims can be opened in minutes and integrated with Apple Pay or Google Pay, with the funds automatically converted into fiat for merchants.

Spend can be directly embedded within non-custodial wallet provider applications as a “plug-and-play” solution, providing the same level of protection as traditional debit cards. However, it requires additional KYC and AML verification procedures.

“At Mercuryo, our vision is to bridge the gap between web3 and the world of fiat transactions,” Mercuryo co-founder and CEO Petr Kozyakov said in a statement. “This product is not just a card; it’s a step towards a future where digital tokens can be spent in a highly accessible and commonplace way, much the same as fiat.”

Spend is currently available to users in the European Economic Area, incurring a €1.60 ($1.78) issuance fee and a €1 ($1.11) monthly maintenance fee with a spending limit of €40,000 ($44,393) per month. Mercuryo also plans to roll out Spend in other regions globally.

06 Sep, 2024

India's Crypto Market Set for Major Growth as FIU Prepares to Approve New Exchanges by 2025

India’s crypto market is on the cusp of another significant transformation. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of India is expected to approve two new foreign cryptocurrency exchanges by March 2025. Following the successful re-entry of Binance and KuCoin after paying penalties for anti-money laundering (AML) violations, these two exchanges could soon join the 48 registered crypto entities operating in the country.FIU Set to Approve Two Foreign Crypto Exchanges by March 2025After a thorough compliance assessment, two additional foreign crypto exchanges may soon gain clearance to operate in India. Binance and KuCoin had their operations restored after adhering to strict AML regulations, with fines of ₹188.2 million ($2.25 million) and ₹34.5 lakh ($41,282) respectively. The FIU is currently reviewing four more exchanges, with two platforms expected to resume services by March 2025.India’s Booming Crypto MarketIndia ranks as the highest in cryptocurrency adoption, thanks to a young, tech-savvy population and rapid smartphone penetration. With over 20 million registered crypto investors in 2023, the market shows immense growth potential. As cryptocurrency usage surges, foreign exchanges are eager to re-enter the Indian market, tapping into a space that generated over $1 billion in revenue in 2023 alone.The Challenges Ahead for Foreign Crypto Exchanges in IndiaWhile the market is ripe for expansion, foreign exchanges face stringent regulations. India’s Finance Ministry requires all crypto platforms to register with the FIU, part of a larger push to ensure compliance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In addition, all crypto transactions in India are subject to a 1% tax deducted at source (TDS), with a flat 30% tax on crypto profits. Despite these challenges, global crypto exchanges are keen to capitalize on India’s immense potential.What’s Next for India’s Crypto Industry?As the FIU prepares to approve more exchanges, India’s crypto landscape will continue to evolve. The nation's regulatory framework, designed to ensure transparency, could set a precedent for other emerging markets. The growing interest from foreign exchanges underscores India’s importance as a key player in the global cryptocurrency ecosystem.

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