Tangem Pay is a new virtual Visa card from the cryptocurrency wallet provider Tangem, allowing users to spend USDC stablecoins directly from their hardware wallet at millions of Visa-accepting merchants worldwide, bridging crypto and everyday payments seamlessly.
Tangem Pay connects directly to Tangem’s self-custodial hardware wallet for secure, non-custodial crypto spending.
It supports deposits and transactions using Circle’s USDC on the Polygon network, enabling instant payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The card launches in 42 countries starting late November 2025, including the US, Brazil, Japan, and Australia, with Europe following in 2026; compliance is handled by partner Rain for global stablecoin oversight.
Discover Tangem Pay: Spend USDC stablecoins via virtual Visa card from your Tangem wallet. Global rollout in 42 countries starts November 2025—unlock seamless crypto payments today! (148 characters)
What is Tangem Pay and How Does It Work?
Tangem Pay represents a groundbreaking virtual Visa card launched by the cryptocurrency hardware wallet company Tangem, designed to allow users to spend stablecoins like USDC directly from their self-custodial wallets at over 100 million merchants globally. Developed in partnership with US payment infrastructure firm Paera, the card facilitates deposits of Circle’s USDC on the Polygon blockchain, converting them into fiat for everyday transactions without requiring users to relinquish control of their assets. This innovation aligns with the growing demand for practical crypto spending solutions, emphasizing security and user autonomy in a regulated environment.
How Does Tangem Pay Ensure Compliance and Security for Stablecoin Spending?
Tangem Pay operates within a framework of robust compliance measures to address global stablecoin regulations, ensuring user funds remain secure while meeting anti-money laundering standards. Partner Rain, a stablecoin payment infrastructure provider, handles compliance and settlement, including KYC requirements solely for the pay card balance, without granting Tangem access to user data or hardware wallet contents. For instance, if regulatory issues arise, authorities can only disconnect the card from the Visa network, leaving the underlying crypto intact in the cold storage of the Tangem wallet. This setup draws on recent developments like the US GENIUS Act of 2025, which mandates full-reserve backing for payment stablecoins and clarifies their non-security status, providing legal clarity for issuers and users alike. In the EU, the MiCA framework enforces transparency and reserve requirements, while the UK’s emerging rules and international guidance from bodies such as the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) emphasize operational resilience and cross-border coordination. Tangem Pay’s design accommodates these variations across its 42 launch markets, including the United States, Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia, mitigating risks to financial stability and consumer protection. Experts note that such regulated integration is crucial, as stablecoin transaction volumes exceeded $10 trillion in 2024 according to Chainalysis reports, highlighting the need for compliant gateways like this to mainstream adoption.
The introduction of Tangem Pay marks a significant step in Tangem’s ecosystem, which prioritizes self-custody to empower users as their own banks. Unlike traditional custodial services that demand full KYC for all operations, Tangem’s approach limits oversight to the spending function, preserving privacy for storage and growth aspects of crypto holdings. CEO Marcos Nunes emphasized in the announcement, “Once the user deposits into their Tangem Pay account, they can spend anywhere Visa is accepted, regardless of the local currency,” underscoring the card’s versatility with support for Apple Pay and Google Pay for frictionless mobile transactions.
Building on this, the rollout strategy positions Tangem Pay for broad accessibility. Issuance begins in late November 2025 across key regions: the United States, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific hubs, with an expansion to Europe slated for 2026. This phased approach allows Tangem to navigate diverse regulatory landscapes effectively. Nunes added, “The virtual card is just the beginning—we are already working on expanding to new countries and offering incentives to make this our users’ go-to card for daily spending.” Such incentives could include cashback in stablecoins or reduced fees, though specifics remain forthcoming.
In the broader context of stablecoin evolution, Tangem Pay aligns with industry trends toward practical utility. Rain’s recent integration plans with Western Union’s Solana-based Digital Asset Network, announced in late October 2025, further illustrate the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain. That network, featuring Western Union’s proprietary stablecoin, is set to launch in the first half of 2026, potentially amplifying cross-border payment efficiencies. For Tangem users, this means spending USDC not just domestically but internationally, with automatic currency conversion handled seamlessly.
From a technical standpoint, the card’s integration with Polygon ensures low-cost, fast transactions—Polygon’s average fees hover below $0.01, per network data—making it viable for micro-payments. Users deposit USDC into the Tangem Pay account via their hardware wallet, which acts as a secure cold storage device, immune to online hacks. This self-custodial model contrasts with centralized exchanges, where users risk asset loss from platform failures, as seen in past incidents like the FTX collapse in 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Countries Will Tangem Pay Be Available In During Its Initial Rollout?
Tangem Pay’s initial launch in late November 2025 will cover 42 countries, focusing on the United States, Latin America (including Brazil), and Asia-Pacific markets such as Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. This selection targets high-crypto adoption regions with established Visa networks, ensuring broad merchant acceptance from day one.
Is Tangem Pay Compatible with Mobile Wallets Like Apple Pay?
Yes, Tangem Pay fully supports Apple Pay and Google Pay, allowing users to add the virtual Visa card to their mobile devices for quick, contactless payments at any compatible terminal. This integration simplifies the spending process, converting USDC deposits into instant fiat transactions without needing the physical hardware wallet present.
Key Takeaways
- Tangem Pay Enables Direct Stablecoin Spending: Users can deposit USDC from their Tangem hardware wallet and spend it globally via Visa, supporting everyday purchases without intermediaries.
- Compliance Balances Security and Regulation: KYC applies only to the pay card, managed by partner Rain, ensuring user privacy while adhering to laws like the US GENIUS Act and EU MiCA for stablecoin integrity.
- Global Expansion Starts Strong: Launch in 42 countries by late 2025, with incentives planned to encourage adoption—consider integrating it into your crypto routine for seamless fiat bridging.
Conclusion
As Tangem Pay rolls out its virtual Visa card solution, it solidifies Tangem’s role in advancing self-custodial crypto ecosystems, where users maintain control over stablecoin spending amid evolving global regulations. By partnering with entities like Paera and Rain, Tangem addresses key challenges in financial stability and AML compliance, paving the way for broader adoption. Looking ahead, this innovation promises to transform how individuals integrate digital assets into daily life—explore Tangem’s offerings to stay at the forefront of crypto payments.
Source: https://en.coinotag.com/tangem-pay-enables-usdc-spending-via-virtual-visa-card-in-42-countries/