Quick summary
Brand and trust
Ready Card is built by the pioneers formerly known as Argent. Operating since 2018 with zero hacks, it offers a level of proven smart-wallet security and reliability that is highly respected in the crypto space.
Custody and control
Wise is a custodial service – you deposit your money and Wise holds it for you. If Wise freezes your account, you lose access. Ready Card uses self-custody via session keys: only your USDC is accessible to the card, your wider portfolio stays protected, and you can revoke access instantly at any time.
Fees and travel
Wise charges a conversion fee on every currency exchange, typically 0.41–0.71% depending on the pair, plus ATM fees after a small free allowance. Ready Card gives you 0% foreign exchange fees (Metal) or just 1% (Lite), zero conversion fees, and generous free ATM limits right out of the box.
Cashback
Wise offers no cashback whatsoever. Ready Card gives you up to 3% cashback on Metal and 0.5% on Lite – on every purchase, with no special requirements or caps. Over time, this adds up to significant savings that Wise simply cannot match.
Ready Card & Wise compared
| Ready Metal | Ready Lite | Wise Card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback | 3% | 0.5% | No |
| Cashback requirements | None | None | N/A |
| Upfront cost | $120 / year | Free | Free (card ~$9) |
| Card type | Metal + Virtual | Plastic + Virtual | Plastic + Virtual |
| Fully self-custodial | Yes  | Yes | No |
| Free ATM withdrawals* | $800 / month | $200 / month | 2 free/month (~$100-200) |
| Fee-free foreign exchange | Yes | Yes | No |
| Perks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Brand history & security | Since 2018 (Zero hacks) | Since 2018 (Zero hacks) | Since 2011 |
| Availability | EEA + UK | EEA + UK | Global |
*Free withdrawals means that the card provider (e.g. Ready) does not charge any fees up to the limit. But the ATM provider may still charge a fee.
Ready Card vs Wise: Crypto self-custody meets traditional fintech
More people are looking for smarter ways to spend money abroad and manage multiple currencies. Wise and Ready Card both aim to make spending easier and cheaper, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Wise is a traditional fintech platform that holds your money for you. Ready Card lets you spend directly from your own self-custody wallet with zero hidden fees.
The good about Wise
Wise is one of the most established fintech companies in the world, trusted by millions of users since 2011. Their multi-currency account lets you hold and convert over 40 currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, which is typically better than what traditional banks offer. If you regularly send money internationally or need to hold balances in different currencies, Wise is a solid and well-known option. Their card works with Apple Pay and Google Pay in most regions, and they are available in over 40 countries worldwide.
The Ready Card advantage: True ownership with zero fees
While Wise offers competitive exchange rates, it still charges a conversion fee on every transaction – typically 0.41–0.71% depending on the currency pair. These fees add up quickly for frequent travellers and international spenders. Wise also limits free ATM withdrawals to just 2 per month up to around $100-200, after which you pay $1.50 per withdrawal plus 2% on the amount. And crucially, Wise offers zero cashback on any purchases.
Ready Card was built to eliminate these costs entirely. Built by the trusted team formerly known as Argent, Ready Card gives you 0% foreign exchange fees on Metal (just 1% on the free Lite tier), zero conversion fees, and generous free ATM limits – up to $800/month on Metal and $200/month on Lite. On top of that, you earn up to 3% cashback on every purchase. No caps, no hoops to jump through.
The clincher: Self-custody vs handing over your money
The biggest difference between these two cards is who controls your money. Wise is a custodial platform: you deposit funds and Wise holds them on your behalf. If Wise ever freezes your account – whether due to a compliance check, a dispute, or an error – you lose access to your money until they resolve it. You are trusting a third party with your funds.
Ready Card flips this model entirely. Your money stays in your own self-custody wallet at all times. Ready has been operating since 2018 with zero hacks, establishing an elite reputation in the smart-wallet space. The card uses session keys to access only your "digital cash" (USDC), leaving the rest of your portfolio completely untouched. If you ever want to cut off access, you simply tap a button to revoke it instantly, for free. No phone calls, no waiting, no third-party approval needed.
It provides the ultimate peace of mind: the proven security of a Web3 pioneer, the ease of spending digital cash, true ownership of your funds, and zero hidden fees eating into your wealth.
