Zap Card
Zap, Inc. (Strike) · Visa
Zap Card is the consumer Visa card developed by Zap, Inc. (a US company in Chicago founded in 2017 by Jack Mallers), tied to the Strike app. Zap/Strike uses Bitcoin's Lightning Network as a settlement rail on the backend, but the model is custodial: the spent balance is in dollars and the company converts Bitcoin to fiat before spending, so the user does not hold the private key. Zap, Inc. joined the Visa Fast Track program for consumer issuance; the product is US-focused and requires full KYC. The card's specific commercial figures (issuance fee, annual fee, FX markup, cashback, ATM limits and fees) are not officially documented in public, and are therefore set to 0 where required or omitted.
Data & conditions
| Account fee | — |
|---|---|
| Network | Visa |
| ATM withdrawal | Free |
| Fund custody | Custodial (platform holds funds) |
| KYC | Full |
| Supported countries | US |
Strengths
- Visa spending backed by Bitcoin's Lightning Network on the backend, accepted anywhere Visa is accepted
- Integration with the Strike ecosystem to send, receive and convert Bitcoin to dollars at low fees
- Long-standing US issuer (Zap, Inc.) in the Visa Fast Track program
- No notable sovereignty advantage documented.
Weaknesses
- Custodial model: Bitcoin is converted to dollars and the user does not control the private keys
- Availability concentrated in the United States with mandatory full KYC
- Card commercial terms (cashback, fees, FX markup, ATM limits) not publicly documented
- Custodial: the platform holds your funds and can freeze or lose them.
- Full KYC required: verified identity, zero pseudonymity.
Verdict
Score 3.0/5, average profile. In its favour: visa spending backed by Bitcoin's Lightning Network on the backend, accepted anywhere Visa is accepted. The trade-off to weigh: custodial model: Bitcoin is converted to dollars and the user does not control the private keys.
On the Sovereignty lens the score is 0.4/5 (weak): the strength is censorship resistance (1.5/5), while fund control (0.0/5) is the weak link.
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 Zap Card self-custody?
No. Zap/Strike is a custodial service: it uses the Lightning Network on the backend but converts Bitcoin to dollars and holds the funds, so the user does not retain control of the private keys.
Where is the Zap Card available?
The product is US-focused, where Zap, Inc. issues via the Visa Fast Track program, and requires full KYC verification.
Sources
- Official service page Url ufficiale · Kyc · Custodial Data verified on Jun 22, 2026
- coindesk.com Azienda · Payment network · Custodial · Paese licenza Data verified on Jun 22, 2026
- jimmymow.medium.com Payment network · Custodial · Regioni Data verified on Jun 22, 2026