Cardano News Update: EMCD’s Crypto Card Connects Blockchain with Everyday Purchases

EMCD, a prominent player in the crypto-fintech space, has introduced the EMCD Payment Card—a worldwide crypto payment option that lets users pay with

anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including through Apple Pay and Google Pay. Developed in collaboration with KazeFi, the card is free to obtain and carries no monthly charges, aiming to make it easier for people to use their crypto assets for daily expenses. CEO Michael Jerlis highlighted that this solution helps turn digital assets into spendable funds, broadening EMCD’s services from mining and storage to effortless everyday use. The launch comes as the crypto payments industry rapidly expands: stablecoin transactions are expected to reach $46 trillion in 2025—twice the previous year’s volume—and eMarketer forecasts that by 2026, 19% of crypto holders will use digital assets for payments.

The EMCD Payment Card is part of a broader movement toward crypto-based financial products. Exodus, a provider of self-custody wallets, has also released a debit card in partnership with Baanx, enabling users to spend stablecoins such as USDT and

at merchants that accept Mastercard and Visa. The card’s beta phase started at the BTC Vegas conference, with a full launch scheduled for later in 2025. Exodus CEO JP Richardson pointed out that this product could help the 1.7 billion people worldwide who lack access to banking, providing financial services through mobile wallets. Similarly, Jour Cards has expanded its crypto gift card offerings to cover iTunes and Apple purchases, letting users swap and other digital currencies for instant Apple gift cards, bypassing banks.

Traditional banks are also moving into the crypto sector. SoFi has rolled out a crypto trading feature within its banking app, allowing customers to buy, sell, and store cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and

alongside their regular accounts. CEO Anthony Noto described this as part of a larger plan to use blockchain for quicker international money transfers and stablecoin integration. In another example, Standard Chartered and DCS Card Centre have introduced Singapore’s first stablecoin credit card, the DeCard, which lets users spend stablecoins directly at stores without converting to fiat currency. The card features a unique D-Vault system for instant crypto-to-fiat settlement, aligning with Singapore’s forward-thinking stablecoin regulations.

These innovations illustrate the ongoing convergence of decentralized finance (DeFi) and established financial systems. EMURGO and Wirex have launched the

Card, a Visa-supported crypto card within the Wirex app, allowing Cardano (ADA) users to spend over 685 cryptocurrencies and access yield and lending services. The collaboration aims to bring Cardano’s ecosystem to Wirex’s six million users, with a non-custodial version expected in 2026.

As crypto payments become more mainstream, companies are focusing on practical uses. Jour Cards’ iTunes integration and EMCD’s partnership with

highlight efforts to make digital currencies suitable for everyday transactions. Meanwhile, moves by SoFi and Standard Chartered reflect increasing institutional trust in crypto’s place within traditional finance.