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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 security that newer DeFi platforms simply cannot match.
Where your money lives
To use Ether.Fi Cash, you have to actively move your crypto out of your main wallet and deposit it into their specific smart contracts. With Ready Card, your money stays exactly where it is.
Safe and separate spending
Ready Card's smart spending approvals ensure the card can only ever touch your "digital cash" (USDC). The rest of your crypto investments remain inaccessible to the card.
Fees and travel
Ether.Fi charges a flat 1% foreign exchange fee on non-USD spending and a 2% fee at the ATM. Ready Card gives you 0% foreign exchange fees and generous free ATM limits right out of the box.
Ready Card & Ether.fi compared
| Ready Metal | Ready Lite | Ether.fi Cash | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback | 3% | 0.5% | 0% to 4% |
| Cashback requirements | None | None | None |
| Upfront cost | $120 / year | Free | Free** |
| Card type | Metal + Virtual | Plastic + Virtual | Plastic / Metal |
| Fully self-custodial | Yes  | Yes | Yes |
| Free ATM withdrawals* | $800 / month | $200 / month | No (2% fee) |
| Fee-free foreign exchange | Yes | Yes | No  |
| Perks | Yes | Yes | No |
| Brand history & security | Since 2018 (Zero hacks) | Since 2018 (Zero hacks) | Recent entrant (late 2024) |
| Availability | EEA + UK | EEA + UK | US, EU, Asia |
*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.
**Ether.fi cards are free, but the metal card requires you to meet certain eligibility criteria.
Ready Card vs Ether.Fi Cash: Keeping it simple vs complex DeFi
As the world of crypto spending grows, two very different types of cards are emerging: those built for complex financial maneuvering, and those built for everyday simplicity. Ether.Fi Cash and Ready Card are perfect examples of these two paths.
The good about Ether.Fi Cash
Ether.Fi is a massive player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space. Their card is designed for advanced crypto users who want to earn complex yields, borrow against their investments, and interact with various DeFi protocols. If you love managing liquid staking tokens, managing collateral, and navigating complex decentralised finance, Ether.Fi provides a powerful ecosystem for that specific lifestyle.
The Ready Card advantage: Digital cash simplicity
While Ether.Fi is great for DeFi power users, it introduces a lot of friction for everyday spending. To use their card, you have to move your funds into their specific "Vaults" or use your crypto as collateral for a loan. Furthermore, they charge a 1% foreign exchange fee and a 2% ATM fee, meaning it costs you extra just to use your money in the real world.
Ready Card is designed for people who just want to spend their crypto easily. There are no vaults to manage and no hidden fees. Built by the trusted team formerly known as Argent, Ready Card lets you spend your "digital cash" directly from your main wallet. You get 0% foreign exchange fees and free ATM limits, making it the smarter choice for travel and everyday life.
The clincher: Smart spending and absolute peace of mind
Trust and security are the most important features of any crypto card. Ready Card has been operating since 2018 with zero hacks, an incredibly rare credential in a space where newer platforms frequently face growing pains.
But where Ready Card truly wins is how it protects your broader portfolio. Instead of moving your money into a separate platform like you do with Ether.Fi, Ready Card uses smart spending approvals. This means the card is only granted permission to touch your "digital cash" (USDC). Your Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other investments remain safely walled off and untouched in your self-custody wallet. If you ever misplace the card, you can cut off its access with a single tap.
It’s the ultimate combination: the proven reputation of a Web3 pioneer, the ease of spending digital cash, and zero hidden fees weighing you down.