Most digital asset holders have experienced this: you have USDT in your account, but you can’t use it directly to buy a cup of coffee, pay for a subscription, or make a cross-border purchase. While stablecoins continue to grow in on-chain circulation, there’s still a noticeable gap when it comes to everyday spending.
This situation is changing. According to a report from market research firm The Kobeissi Letter, by late January 2025, monthly payment volumes for debit and credit cards linked to digital assets reached $7.8 billion—a 230% year-over-year increase. Stablecoin payments are moving from on-chain transactions into real-world commerce at an unprecedented pace. Meanwhile, Visa is rolling out more than 130 "stablecoin + bank card" integration projects across over 50 countries, with its stablecoin settlement business reaching an annualized transaction volume of $7 billion in April 2026.
The Gate Card was launched in response to this trend. As a digital asset Visa card directly linked to a Gate Pay account, Gate Card allows users to pay online or offline at more than 150 million Visa-accepting merchants worldwide, without needing to convert crypto assets to fiat in advance.
The Turning Point for Stablecoin Payments
Over the past few years, stablecoins have evolved from "on-chain tools" to "payment assets." Thanks to its price stability, USDT is naturally suited as a medium for everyday payments. However, for a long time, using USDT for payments meant navigating a complicated process: transferring USDT from your wallet to an exchange account, selling it for fiat, withdrawing to your bank account, and finally making a purchase with a traditional bank card. This chain is time-consuming and incurs multiple fees.
Industry data clearly shows the scale of this demand. Digital asset card payments grew from $280 million in August 2023 to over $1.5 billion in August 2025, with average monthly transaction volumes soaring from $250 million at the start of 2023 to over $1 billion by 2025. The main driver behind this growth is stablecoins—USDT accounts for 62.5% of crypto card settlement transactions.
Visa’s strategy confirms this trend. As the world’s largest payment network, Visa is expanding its crypto-linked payment card initiatives, collaborating with fintech platforms to bring the technology to over 100 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. Stablecoins are transitioning from on-chain assets to practical payment tools, and Gate Card is a key product connecting users to the global spending network at this industry turning point.
Gate Card’s Payment Logic: Spend Directly, No Currency Conversion Needed
The biggest difference between Gate Card and traditional bank cards is that it’s linked to a digital asset account, not a bank balance. Once users hold assets like USDT, BTC, ETH, or GT in their Gate Pay account, the system automatically does two things at the moment of purchase: it converts the selected digital asset to USD at the real-time exchange rate, then settles the payment with the merchant via the Visa network. The entire process takes just a few seconds, and users experience it as a typical card swipe.
This design eliminates the "sell crypto, withdraw funds, then spend" middle steps. For long-term stablecoin holders, Gate Card turns USDT from a "held asset" into a "usable asset." There’s no need to manually convert currencies in advance—the system automatically converts the relevant asset based on the payment amount.
Gate Card currently supports four digital assets for direct payment: USDT, BTC, ETH, and GT. Available currencies may vary depending on card type, issuer, or region, and more asset types will be added as the business expands.
Two Card Types for All Spending Scenarios
Gate Card offers both virtual and physical cards, letting users choose according to their needs.
Virtual cards are the preferred entry point for most users. After completing Level 2 identity verification, virtual cards are typically activated within 3 to 5 minutes. They’re ideal for online shopping and can be linked to Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments via mobile devices. For users who need immediate access to their digital assets, the instant activation of virtual cards significantly reduces wait times.
Physical cards expand the range of use cases, including chip-and-pin payments, contactless payments, and global ATM withdrawals. Whether you need cash while traveling abroad or want to make everyday purchases at brick-and-mortar stores, physical cards deliver the same experience as traditional bank cards. Users can withdraw cash at supported ATMs using the Gate Card physical card. Each user can apply for one virtual card and one physical card.
Both card types are free from issuance fees, monthly fees, and inactivity fees.
Global Merchant Coverage: 150 Million Visa Merchants
One of Gate Card’s core advantages is its wide acceptance. The card can be used at more than 150 million Visa merchants worldwide, spanning over 100 countries and regions. This means your USDT balance is accepted wherever mainstream bank cards are—from coffee shops in New York to malls in Tokyo, from European online subscription platforms to convenience stores in Southeast Asia.
Gate Card is available to users in multiple countries and regions worldwide. Users can start the application process to check eligibility. The card is only available to users in non-restricted countries or regions; eligibility, card type, and specific features depend on identity verification results, residency, issuer review, and applicable compliance requirements.
Fee Structure: Transparent and Manageable
Using Gate Card for purchases involves two main costs.
Crypto conversion fee: For transactions of $2 or more, a 0.90% fee applies; for transactions under $2, a fixed fee of $0.05 is charged.
Foreign exchange fee (non-USD transactions): 0.40% for Classic and Platinum cards; 1.00% for Standard cards.
ATM withdrawal fee: Withdrawals incur a 2% fee. Daily withdrawal limit is $5,000; monthly limit is $15,000; annual limit is $50,000; maximum per transaction is $5,000; up to 10 withdrawals per day.
This fee structure is competitive within the crypto payment card industry. For frequent small transactions, the fixed $0.05 conversion fee for purchases under $2 keeps costs manageable. For cross-border spending, the 0.40% FX fee is attractive.
Cashback Rewards: Up to 5%, Redeemable for Digital Assets
Gate Card tightly integrates spending with a rewards system. Every qualifying purchase earns points, which can be exchanged at a fixed rate for USDT or GT.
Cashback rate by card tier: The cashback rate depends on card tier. For every $1 spent, you earn points; 100 points can be exchanged for 1 USDT. The tier system uses a dual-track upgrade mechanism—spending milestones or VIP status—with five levels from T0 to T4.
| Card Tier | Points per $1 | Actual Cashback Rate | Monthly Points Cap | Monthly Cashback Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T0 | 1 point | 1.00% | 500 points | Up to 5 USDT |
| T1 | 1 point | 1.00% | 5,000 points | Up to 50 USDT |
| T2 | 2 points | 2.00% | 10,000 points | Up to 100 USDT |
| T3 | 3 points | 3.00% | 15,000 points | Up to 150 USDT |
| T4 | 5 points | 5.00% | 25,000 points | Up to 250 USDT |
There’s a monthly cap on point redemption, but users can continue accumulating points beyond the limit. Points never expire and can be redeemed anytime. Manual redemption requires at least 50 points (0.5 USDT).
With a 1% fee structure, T2 and above cardholders can offset their fees with cashback, achieving net rewards.
Gate Card Use Cases
Cross-border spending: Traditional bank cards often involve currency conversion, international fees, or regional payment restrictions. Gate Card streamlines the process—users pay directly with USDT or other digital assets, and the system handles conversion and settlement automatically.
Online subscriptions and digital services: Virtual cards can be linked to Apple Pay and Google Pay, making them suitable for online subscriptions, digital content purchases, and cross-border e-commerce platforms.
Everyday offline spending: Physical cards support chip-and-pin and contactless payments, usable at 150 million Visa merchants worldwide—including supermarkets, restaurants, convenience stores, and more.
ATM withdrawals: Physical cards allow cash withdrawals at supported ATMs globally, meeting users’ needs for travel or cash access.
Conclusion
Stablecoin payments are moving from the cutting edge to mainstream consumer scenarios. Monthly digital asset card payment volumes have reached $7.8 billion, and Visa is accelerating stablecoin-linked card infrastructure worldwide. Gate Card offers a direct and straightforward solution: connecting users’ USDT and other digital assets to more than 150 million merchants globally via the Visa network.
From instant virtual card activation to full-scenario coverage with physical cards, from a 0.90% conversion fee to up to 5% cashback, every aspect of Gate Card’s design centers on one goal—making digital assets truly usable. When USDT is no longer just an on-chain balance but a tool for everyday payments, withdrawals, and rewards, the value of digital assets extends beyond trading and into daily life.
