What is the EtherFi card? In the realm of DeFi, innovation is constant, aiming to revolutionize traditional finance. Enter the EtherFi card, a payment solution redefining cryptocurrency spending. Backed by a top liquid restaking provider, this crypto credit card offers a bold proposition worth exploring.
Before diving into the specifics of its card, it’s essential to understand what EtherFi is. Launched in 2023, EtherFi quickly established itself as a major liquid restaking protocol on the Ethereum blockchain. Its mission: Enable users to stake their ETH (and other assets) to generate yields, while maintaining complete control of their private keys through a non-custodial approach.
This fundamental characteristic distinguishes it from platforms where users must entrust their funds to a third party. With a TVL exceeding $6 billion in 2025, EtherFi has earned the trust of the DeFi community. The protocol notably leverages EigenLayer technology, which allows users to maximize staking rewards while contributing to securing multiple networks.
It’s on this solid foundation of staking, liquidity, and yield generation that the EtherFi ecosystem has expanded its services to launch an innovative payment solution: The EtherFi Cash card.
The EtherFi card stands out from traditional crypto cards thanks to a unique mechanism based on the concept of “spend without selling”. This isn’t simply a debit card that automatically converts your cryptocurrencies into fiat, but rather a true crypto-native credit card.
The core of its innovation lies in the “Borrow Mode.” At the moment of purchase, instead of selling your staked assets (like your eETH or weETH), the card allows you to borrow against their value. Your cryptocurrencies become collateral while continuing to generate staking and restaking yields within the EtherFi protocol. This structure offers a potential tax advantage in many jurisdictions, as it avoids triggering a taxable event related to selling assets.
The credit balance is gradually repaid through the yields generated by your collateral, but you can also make manual repayments at any time. Fully non-custodial, the card ensures that you remain the sole owner of your funds, protected by advanced cryptographic technologies.
Deployed on the Layer-2 Scroll to offer fast, low-cost transactions, the EtherFi card operates via the Visa network, ensuring acceptance at over 100 million merchants worldwide.
Obtaining the EtherFi card is a simple and accessible process, even for those who aren’t DeFi experts. Here are the key steps to order your card:
Once your EtherFi card is activated, using it is very similar to using a traditional bank card. Its compatibility with the Visa network ensures wide acceptance for in-store purchases, hotel reservations, online payments, or ATM withdrawals.
For everyday payments, the simplest method is to integrate your virtual card into a mobile wallet. The EtherFi card is fully compatible with leading contactless payment solutions.
Integrating the EtherFi card with Apple Pay is designed to be intuitive. From the EtherFi app, in the Cash tab, an “Add to Wallet” button appears on your card details page. By tapping it, you’ll be guided to add it to your Apple Wallet. Once added, you can use your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay for purchases in-store, securely and contactlessly.
Like any solution, the EtherFi card has advantages and disadvantages that are important to evaluate before adopting it. Here’s a summary table to help you make an informed decision.
In 2025, our opinion on the EtherFi card is decidedly positive. It represents a major advancement in integrating decentralized finance (DeFi) into everyday use. More than just a payment card, it stands as a cornerstone of the EtherFi ecosystem, offering perfect synergy between staking, yield generation, and everyday spending.
The “spend without selling” concept is particularly powerful for long-term crypto investors who want to use the value of their assets without liquidating their positions. The non-custodial nature of the card is also a guarantee of security and alignment with the fundamental principles of decentralization, a crucial point for many members of the community.
Despite a certain complexity that might deter novices and transaction fees to consider, the EtherFi card stands out as a top choice for intermediate to advanced users. It’s designed for those already familiar with DeFi concepts who are looking for a powerful tool to optimize their asset management. With its competitive advantages and innovative approach, the EtherFi card has the potential to become a standard for crypto payments in the years to come.
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The EtherFi card is a non-custodial crypto credit card that allows you to spend the value of your assets without selling them.
It is a Visa card, accepted at more than 100 million merchants worldwide.
It offers 2% to 3% cashback on all purchases, paid out in the protocol’s tokens.
No, the card uses your cryptocurrencies as collateral for a loan, so you do not have to sell your assets unless you choose to.
Yes, it is non-custodial, meaning you retain full control over your private keys and your funds.
You must register on the EtherFi website, complete a KYC verification, and the virtual card becomes available instantly.
The main fees are a 1% charge on foreign currency transactions and a 2% fee on ATM withdrawals.
Yes, the card is fully compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments.
It is ideal for intermediate to advanced crypto users who want to use their assets without selling them.
It is available in most countries, except for certain restricted jurisdictions in Europe and some U.S. states.
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