KAST vs Kraken Card: Stablecoin Rails vs 600+ Assets
KAST is a custodial stablecoin account offering virtual and physical Visa cards, alongside US account numbers and EU IBANs for wire, ACH, and SEPA transfers. In contrast, Kraken Card is a virtual Mastercard debit card linked directly to Kraken balances and managed through the Krak app.
The primary divergence lies in asset support and funding methods. KAST focuses on deposits in USDT, USDC, and over 25 other tokens across 10 chains, spending stablecoin balances directly across 170 countries. Kraken Card draws from more than 600 cryptocurrencies or cash balances, converting them at point of sale with zero Kraken transaction or exchange fees, though variable spreads apply. Card formats and reward structures also differ. KAST issues physical and virtual cards, offering up to 3% cashback in stablecoins, with paid tiers reaching $10,000 annually. Kraken Card is strictly virtual, pays up to 2% cashback in BTC or EUR based on exchange balances, and charges no annual subscription fees.
Quick verdict
The choice depends on whether the primary goal is international banking access for stablecoins or retail spending directly from an exchange portfolio. KAST functions as a cross-border money account, giving cardholders dedicated US routing numbers and European IBANs to receive payroll and wire payments. Kraken Card is a spending extension for exchange customers, converting holdings across hundreds of tokens at checkout without foreign exchange markups.
Choose KAST if you need physical card access, incoming SEPA or ACH payment details, and direct stablecoin spending across 170 countries without paying exchange conversion spreads on USD tokens.
Choose Kraken Card if you want to spend directly from an existing exchange balance across 600 cryptocurrencies, prefer earning rewards in Bitcoin or euros, and want to avoid annual subscription tiers.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Our score | 3.7/5 | 3.8/5 |
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Fees | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| Rewards & cashback | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Availability | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| App & experience | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Trust & security | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Fees & features | ||
| Card type | Prepaid | Debit |
| Card network | Visa | Mastercard |
| Card format | Virtual, Physical | Virtual |
| Custody | Custodial | Custodial |
| KYC required | Yes | Not disclosed |
| Business card | Yes | Not disclosed |
| Max cashback | 3% | 2% |
| Rewards paid in | USD stablecoins | BTC or EUR |
| Staking needed for top rewards | No | No |
| Welcome bonus | Not disclosed | New cardholders receive Max tier for 30 days, with 2% cashback. |
| Card issuance fee | Free | Free |
| Monthly fee | Free | Free |
| Annual fee | Free | Free |
| Foreign exchange fee | Not disclosed | 0% |
| Crypto conversion spread | Not disclosed | Variable spread applies when spending across assets |
| ATM withdrawals | Not disclosed | No ATM withdrawal fee from Kraken; third-party ATM fees may apply |
| Daily spending limit | Wallet balance | Not disclosed |
| Available in | Global | Europe (EEA), United Kingdom, United States |
| Spendable assets | USDT, USDC, PENGU, 25+ other coins | 600+ cryptocurrencies, Cash |
| Top-up networks | 10+ supported chains | Not disclosed |
| Card currencies | 30+ currencies | EUR |
| Spend stablecoins | Yes | Not disclosed |
| Apple Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Google Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Good for | Everyday spending, Travel, Online shopping, Subscriptions & AI tools, Advertising, Business expenses | Everyday spending, Travel, Online shopping, Subscriptions & AI tools |
| Perks | KAST Points, US account number, EU IBAN, ACH receipts, SEPA receipts, Wire transfers, KAST Reserve | Up to 2% cashback, Up to 6% travel cashback, Instant card lock, Real-time notifications |
| Card issuer | Not disclosed | UAB Monavate |
| Virtual card fee | Not disclosed | Free |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2024 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Cayman Islands | United States |
| Investors | Left Lane Capital, QED Investors, Hong Shan, Peak XV Partners +1 | DRW Venture Capital, Hong Shan, Jane Street, Oppenheimer Alternative Investment Management +2 |
| Strengths and weaknesses | ||
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| Cons |
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| Best for | Freelancers receiving international payments, Global workers spending stablecoins, Stablecoin-funded business expenses | Everyday crypto spending, Krak app users, Cardholders spending multiple assets |
Highlighted cells show the stronger value in each row. Data comes from each provider's site and public sources; check details before you sign up.
FAQ
Does KAST or Kraken Card offer higher cashback?
KAST offers up to 3% cashback in stablecoins on its Private tier, while Kraken Card pays up to 2% in Bitcoin or euros. KAST standard accounts earn 1.5%, whereas Kraken Card tiers depend on 30-day average balances across Kraken accounts.
Can you get a physical card with both providers?
No, only KAST issues physical cards alongside virtual cards. Kraken Card is available solely as a virtual card, though it connects to Apple Pay and Google Pay for in-person retail purchases.
Which currencies can fund card purchases on each platform?
Kraken Card supports over 600 cryptocurrencies and cash balances, converting them at the point of sale. KAST accepts USDT, USDC, PENGU, and more than 25 other coins deposited across 10 supported blockchain networks.
Where are KAST and Kraken Card available?
KAST provides cards to users in more than 170 countries globally. Kraken Card is restricted to eligible account holders residing in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Economic Area.