KAST vs Tangem Pay: Custody and Card Rails Compared
Both KAST and Tangem Pay provide Visa cards funded with stablecoins, but they rely on fundamentally different custody models. As a custodial money app, KAST pairs virtual and physical Visa cards with US account numbers and EU IBANs. Deposits arrive via USDT, USDC, PENGU, and over 25 other coins across more than 10 networks, earning up to 3% stablecoin cashback.
Tangem Pay operates inside the Tangem Wallet app, tying card balances to a smart contract account rather than a full custodial app structure. Issued by Rain, the card accepts USDC and USDT funding on four networks: Polygon, Base, BNB Smart Chain, and Arbitrum. KAST supports ACH payments and SEPA transfers and is available in 170+ countries, while Tangem Pay caters directly to hardware wallet owners who want mobile payments through Apple Pay or Google Pay with up to 4% cashback.
Quick verdict
KAST functions like a digital bank account, giving cardholders dedicated US account numbers and EU IBANs alongside spending access. Tangem Pay links directly to hardware wallet software, keeping card balances inside user-controlled smart contract accounts.
Choose KAST if you need dedicated US or EU banking rails to receive ACH, wire, or SEPA transfers, want to spend a wider variety of tokens beyond USDC and USDT, or require a physical card shipped internationally.
Choose Tangem Pay if you prefer keeping balances managed through smart contracts connected to Tangem Wallet, need low-cost ACH top-ups at $1, and primarily spend USDC or USDT on Base, Polygon, Arbitrum, or BNB Smart Chain.
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||
| Our score | 3.7/5 | 3.6/5 |
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Fees | 2.5 | 4.0 |
| Rewards & cashback | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| 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 | Visa |
| Card format | Virtual, Physical | Virtual, Physical |
| Custody | Custodial | Self-custodial |
| KYC required | Yes | Yes |
| Business card | Yes | No |
| Max cashback | 3% | 4% |
| Rewards paid in | USD stablecoins | USDC |
| Staking needed for top rewards | No | Not disclosed |
| Welcome bonus | Not disclosed | Up to $75, coming soon |
| Card issuance fee | Free | Free |
| Monthly fee | Free | Free |
| Annual fee | Free | Free |
| Top-up fee | Not disclosed | ACH $1 flat fee, free on Plus; FedWire $11 flat fee; network fees apply to crypto top-ups |
| ATM withdrawals | Not disclosed | Basic 4%; Plus 2% |
| Daily spending limit | Wallet balance | $10,000 Basic; $50,000 Plus; $100,000 Prestige |
| ATM withdrawal limit | Not disclosed | $250 per transaction; up to 3 withdrawals per 24 hours |
| Available in | Global | United States, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, Africa |
| Spendable assets | USDT, USDC, PENGU, 25+ other coins | USDC, USDT |
| Top-up networks | 10+ supported chains | Polygon, Base, BNB Smart Chain, Arbitrum |
| Card currencies | 30+ currencies | USD |
| Spend stablecoins | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | USDC cashback, Airport lounge access, Insurance, Concierge |
| Card issuer | Not disclosed | Rain |
| Virtual card fee | Not disclosed | Free |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2024 | 2025 |
| Headquarters | Cayman Islands | — |
| Investors | Left Lane Capital, QED Investors, Hong Shan, Peak XV Partners +1 | Not disclosed |
| Strengths and weaknesses | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Best for | Freelancers receiving international payments, Global workers spending stablecoins, Stablecoin-funded business expenses | U.S. stablecoin spending, Mobile wallet payments, Tangem Wallet users |
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
How does custody differ between KAST and Tangem Pay?
KAST is fully custodial, meaning the platform holds deposits within its internal account structure. Tangem Pay keeps card funds in a user-controlled smart contract account linked to the Tangem Wallet ecosystem.
Which stablecoins can fund each card?
KAST accepts USDT, USDC, PENGU, and more than 25 other tokens across 10+ networks. Tangem Pay only accepts USDC and USDT deposits across Polygon, Base, BNB Smart Chain, and Arbitrum.
Do both cards offer banking details for incoming transfers?
KAST provides dedicated US account numbers and EU IBANs for inbound ACH, SEPA, and wire transfers. Tangem Pay supports bank funding via ACH for a $1 fee and FedWire for $11.
What are the cash withdrawal fees on both cards?
Tangem Pay charges a 4% fee on Basic tier ATM withdrawals, capped at $250 per transaction. KAST's daily spending limit is its wallet balance.