Pionex Card
Pionex · Visa / Mastercard
The Pionex Card is a custodial crypto card from the Singapore-based trading-bot exchange Pionex, currently virtual-only on the Visa or Mastercard network. It is funded exclusively with USDT held in the Pionex account and charges no issuance fee and no annual fee. USD spending is free, while foreign currencies carry a 1% FX markup on Visa (2% on Mastercard), largely offset by 1% USDT cashback with no cap on every eligible purchase. ATM withdrawals cost 2% and earn no cashback; idle USDT on the card accrues interest. Stated coverage spans the UK, the EEA and APAC, with mandatory KYC.
The number that matters
The banner cashback isn't what you pocket.
After FX markup, fees and withdrawals, on an average profile of €1,000/mo (20% abroad).
Data & conditions
§ Amounts in USD/GBP are shown in the service's native currency.
| Network | Visa / Mastercard |
|---|---|
| Fund custody | Custodial (platform holds funds) |
| Issuance fee | Free |
| Annual fee | Free |
| Free ATM limit | $3,000/day |
| ATM withdrawal | 2% |
| FX markup | 1% |
| Cashback | 1% in USDT · Nessuno |
| Contactless | Yes |
| Virtual card | Yes |
| KYC | Full |
| Privacy | 2/10 |
| Supported countries | EEA, UK, APAC · 100+ countries |
| Funding / solidity | Pionex è un exchange di criptovalute con sede a Singapore, fondato nel 2019 dal team dietro BitUniverse. È stato uno dei primi exchange con trading-bot integrati a ottenere la licenza MSB FinCEN negli USA (aprile 2020). L'emissione della Pionex Card è affidata a StraitsX. |
| Estimated net annual cost | €0/year |
| Regulator | FinCEN (USA) / StraitsX sotto MAS (Singapore) |
| OAM Italy registration | No |
| Segment | B2C |
| Funding / solidity | Pionex is a Singapore-based cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2019 by the team behind BitUniverse. It was one of the first exchanges with built-in trading bots to obtain a US FinCEN MSB license (April 2020). Pionex Card issuance is handled by StraitsX. |
| MiCA / License status | Pionex.US registrato come MSB presso FinCEN (USA) Pionex.US has been registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FinCEN since April 2020. Card issuance is provided by StraitsX, a Singapore-regulated issuance infrastructure (DPT under the MAS Payment Services Act). Pionex holds no own EU/UK licenses nor a full MAS license. |
Strengths
- No issuance fee and no annual fee; zero-fee USD spending
- 1% cashback in real USDT (not points) with no cap, credited to the card balance
- The 1% Visa FX is effectively offset by cashback; idle USDT on the card earns interest
- No notable sovereignty advantage documented.
Weaknesses
- Custodial model: funds are held by Pionex, no self-custody
- Virtual card only (no physical) and funded solely with USDT
- 2% ATM withdrawals with no cashback; weak regulatory standing for a card (no own EU/UK licenses)
- Custodial: the platform holds your funds and can freeze or lose them.
- Full KYC required: verified identity, zero pseudonymity.
- Subject to regulation (Pionex.US has been registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FinCEN since April 2020. Card issuance is provided by StraitsX, a Singapore-regulated issuance infrastructure (DPT under the MAS Payment Services Act). Pionex holds no own EU/UK licenses nor a full MAS license.): reporting to authorities and freezes on order.
Verdict
Custodial card from the Pionex exchange (Singapore) with issuance handled by StraitsX; USDT funds are held by the provider and there are no own EU/UK licenses for the card. Weak protection for European users.
Fully custodial model funded solely with USDT held by Pionex: no self-custody, mandatory KYC and total dependence on the exchange. Very low sovereignty score.
Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.
"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.
FAQ
Is the Pionex Card available as a physical card?
No: Pionex currently issues only a virtual crypto card, usable via mobile pay. There is no physical card.
Which currencies can I load onto the card?
USDT only, held in your Pionex account (custodial model). Idle USDT on the card also accrues interest.
Sources
- Official service page Cashback · Valuta reward · Fx Data verified on Jun 22, 2026
- kkinvesting.io Paesi num · Supported currencies · Contactless · Cashback Data verified on Jun 23, 2026
- straitsx.com Regulator · Regulatory framework · Azienda info Data verified on Jun 23, 2026
- tradingfinder.com Azienda info · Regulator Data verified on Jun 23, 2026
Show 2 more sources
- support.pionex.com Feature · Fees · Kyc Data verified on Jun 22, 2026
- todey.xyz Payment network · Fees · Fx · Atm · +3 Data verified on Jun 22, 2026