Volet Review: How This Card Turns Crypto Into Everyday Spending

Many still argue you can’t pay for daily purchases with digital assets, but this review shows how a crypto debit card bridges that gap so you can fund a wallet and shop like with cash.

Volet currently works with a select set of cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Bitcoin Cash, and Zcash. The issuer indicates that more coins may be added over time.

For traditional money, the service supports balances in euros, Brazilian reals, Kazakhstani tenge, Russian rubles, Ukrainian hryvnia, and U.S. dollars.

Key advantages include:

• Quick funding
• Multi-currency management in one account
• Straightforward cash withdrawals

These are practical perks for anyone using a crypto-linked payment system.

That said, there are trade-offs to keep in mind, including foreign currency conversion costs, limited availability (including no access for U.S. residents), potential acceptance quirks depending on the card network and merchant category, and the extra step of moving money from your wallet balance onto the card before spending.

Residents of the United States cannot use this card. If you are based in the U.S., you will need to consider other crypto debit card options.

Here is what the latest card design looks like as of 4 April 2024.

Because multiple card versions exist, we cannot independently confirm one universal fee schedule. The details provided below come from Volet’s team and apply per specific card. Expect updates if anything changes.

The card is not directly tied to on-chain crypto. To spend, you must keep fiat in a Volet wallet and then manually move that balance onto the card. Volet has also introduced native crypto wallets, allowing you to hold BTC, ETH, Usdt, and Usdc inside your account; earlier, only fiat-to-crypto conversion was available. In practical terms, the flow is usually: deposit crypto to your account (if supported) and wait for network confirmations, convert it to a spendable fiat balance in your wallet, transfer that fiat balance onto the card, then pay at a merchant or withdraw cash. Conversions are generally executed at the in-app rate shown at the time you confirm the exchange, and the effective rate can reflect both the stated conversion fee and any spread in the quoted price. Moving funds between your wallet and the card can be close to instant, but transfers may be limited by your card program, verification level, or occasional compliance checks.

For cash withdrawals, you typically need to first load your card from your Volet wallet balance, then use the card at a cash machine like any other payment card withdrawal. Flat per-withdrawal pricing (see the fee table) can be inefficient in countries where cash machines cap small per-withdrawal amounts (for example, $20), as multiple cash-outs would trigger repeated fees. Visiting a bank counter may allow larger single withdrawals. Withdrawal limits (per transaction or per day) can vary by card version and verification level, so you will want to check the limits shown in your account before relying on it for frequent cash access.

Spending commissions matter most. Payments made in euros or U.S. dollars are listed as having no surcharge, while purchases in other fiat currencies are treated as currency conversions (see the fee table), so the total cost depends on the conversion fee and the rate you receive at the moment the transaction is processed.

Beyond the core charges, a few specialized fees may apply in less common scenarios:

• Moving funds from the card back to your Volet wallet: €1 or $1.
• Opening a payment dispute (chargeback): €20.99 or $20.99.
• Replacing a card: €19.95 or $19.95.
• Cash machine decline event: €0.55 or $0.55.
• General card inactivity after three months: €2 or $2 per month.
• Reactivating an inactive card: €5 or $5.
• Plastic card inactivity after three months: €2 or $2 per month.
• Reactivating an inactive plastic card: €5 or $5.
• Virtual card inactivity after three months: €1 or $1 per month.
• Reactivating an inactive virtual card: €3 or $3.

Volet also offers a “Volet Global” card, providing plastic UnionPay and Mastercard options in U.S. dollars across all supported countries. Benefits include free courier delivery and zero-fee point-of-sale payments in U.S. dollars, with instant loading from your fiat Volet e-wallets. The issuance fee is $90, and the daily maximum load is $10,000 in U.S. dollars.

Where you can use the card depends on the network on your specific card. In general, Mastercard versions should work anywhere Mastercard is accepted, and UnionPay versions should work anywhere UnionPay is accepted (online or in-store), subject to the usual prepaid and compliance restrictions. Some merchant categories and transaction types can be blocked (or handled inconsistently) by card programs, so it’s worth testing with small purchases if you plan to use it for travel or specific bill payments.

The maximum monthly deposit limit is $250,000 in U.S. dollars after verification. If you require higher limits, consider a different crypto debit card that better fits your needs.

Safety depends heavily on how you secure your account and on the specific card issuer and program behind the scenes. At a minimum, you should use a strong unique password, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if offered, and treat the card like any other payment instrument by using transaction alerts and freezing the card when not in use (if those controls are available in your account). For the regulatory side, card programs are typically run through a separate issuing partner; the most reliable way to confirm the exact licensing or supervisory status is to check the legal disclosures shown inside your account and the card’s issuing details.

Volet is generally positioned as a payments and wallet platform rather than a bank. In other words, it can provide e-wallet balances and card services, but it is not the same thing as a full-service bank account in every jurisdiction. If you need classic banking features (such as insured deposits, loans, or traditional checking services), confirm what protections and account types apply to your region and card program.

If you’re wondering whether it’s a scam, the safest approach is to treat it like any fintech: verify you’re using the official domain, review the issuer and program terms inside the app, and start with small amounts until you’re comfortable with funding, conversions, and spending. This review does not independently confirm any history of security incidents; as with any financial app, you should monitor official account notices and security updates over time.

Registration and verification generally follow this flow:

• Create an account and confirm your email address (and phone number, if requested).
• Fill in your personal details in your profile.
• Complete identity verification if required, which commonly involves a government-issued photo ID and a selfie; some users may also be asked for proof of address.
• Wait for approval; processing time can range from minutes to a few business days depending on review volume and document quality.

Customer support options are typically shown inside the app or web account area and may include an in-app help center, chat or ticket-based support, and email contact. Support hours, response times, and available languages can vary by region and card program, so check the support page inside your account for the most accurate current details.

If this seems like the right cryptocurrency debit card for your use case, create a Volet account and order the card when available.

If it is not the best fit, explore other crypto debit cards that match your preferred currencies, fees, and limits.