Bitcoin Forum

Hello, I've done my share of homework researching the available debit cards, but it's hard to find reliable information from people actually using such cards.

EU citizen, currency EUR. My ideal would be a totally anonymous debit card, which as I understand it, is impossible nowadays :( Unless you want to be limited to 1000-2000 EUR per card/street address. Or is it?

Second best: a normal debit card in my name. I am interested in Xapo, but I'm not sure it actually works well. Are there any alternatives with strong points? Xapo commissions look sane on paper, but how about the exchange rate, for example?

One last issue is taxes. Since I never sold a single BTC, I've had no need to mention BTC in my taxes. How does it work when I spend from a debit card? Am I going to find friendly mr. Smith (the taxman) knocking at my door?

Any advice from actual debit card users will be welcome as useful help.

Thank you!

XAPO and Spectrocoin are using MyChoice Visa Prepaid card and from both you will receive cards with 1K Euro unverified for withdraws.

I still like Spectrocoin more because they are buying /exchanging/ BTC -> EUR at good rates. For example Wirex are buying BTC at 100E less than Spectrocoin.

About taxes, you should ask your local lawyer/accountant.

Thanks for the good info, BigBoy89. I'll take a better look into Spectrocoin.

Any actual user of different cards (Xapo or others) is welcome to chime in if they feel like sharing personal experience or opinion!

Real quick thread about some Bitcoin debit cards and it's pros and cons[1].

I wanted to try out Cryptopay since I received a promo code for a free card but never managed to register. You could ask one code in their thread[2], since the promo is still running until now and you have more than 30 activity.

[1] https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1410577.0
[2] https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1384807.0

These types of cards have certain limitation and might not be valid payment method for international transaction.
Most pre paid Visa Cards are not respected by online merchants and services - for example, you can't buy games on G2A.com with prepaid visa card.
Using  bitcoin directly whenever possible and stick with standard credit/debit card is far better idea IMO.

I heard that Xapo debit card are good but i don't know if they work well but there are many bitcoin user use xapo debit card..
About spectrocoin i think its scam better to stay away about that..
And check this you can see more debit cards here with reviews.. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1410577.0

Xapo is a very good bitcoin debit card/wallet. Their exchange rate is very good and also services they offer us. If you want anonymity, then xapo isn't a good choise. On another hand, fees are very low and if you need to withdraw or make actions on huge amount of money, you need to send them some more images and everything will be ok.

I'm also using XAPO card for more than two years and so far I'm quite happy with their services. I didn't bother much to compare their charges with other cards because I mostly sell around only $500 per month. So far my maximum withdrawals around 1000$ in a month but never really tried to withdraw high amount at once. Their support team will not immediately reply your queries but within a couple of days, they will surely respond you. I got it for free of charge this card. I suggest you can try this card based on my experience.

i had the most problems with Xapo 1-2 years ago, since then I dont use it.

Yes, I'd seen that thread in my initial research phase. It's a useful comparison.

Thanks for the heads up, @TryNinja! I posted a request there. If I do get a code, I'll see if I manage to register.

Hm, that's what I was (am) afraid of. Getting a useless piece of plastic with good money locked inside that can't be spent easily wherever you want.

Problem is, not all merchants accept bitcoin. Besides, it could be a convenient way to get fast cash when abroad.

Here's what I hoped for - contrasting experiences/opinions. Thanks @klf and @AdmiralSpot!

Great. Over 2 years! I think I will try and use one. I also have similar amount targets as you, so it would suit me if it works! Do you have any negative experience with limited acceptance? Do the merchants KNOW it's a BTC-based card the money comes from? (Some may shun it just because it's "terrorist money", tut tut.)

Which problems in particular? Valuable information if you can explain a little better!

Thanks to @Skarner21 and @shield132 too. I've read your replies with interest, and you are all helping me decide.

For me I would recommend using spectrocoin or coinizy. Tried both and was not disappointed. Coinizy is easy to use and doesn't really require verification unless you need to exceed the limits. I believe you can also use it to withdraw from ATMs, though I haven't tried that feature yet. Anyway, I think most ATM withdrawals are expensive so I actually avoid them.

Don't recommend Coinizy. They are shady and have a lot of complains about stealing users funds and awful/nonexistent support.

I had one of their cards to test out and they simple "stole" $12 from my balance. I sent them a support ticket and they took 6 days to reply me, finally giving my money back (btw, they claim that they answer tickets in 24 hours).

Also, if you check the last pages of their BitcoinTalk thread[1], you will see tons of people complaining about lost funds.

[1] https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1624128.660

Hello @Gotottack, thanks for chiming in.
I thought limits for unverified users are lifetime limits, as in an overall cap for all the cards sent to the same address.
In other words, if you're unverified, you can throw away your card after spending/withdrawing $1000-$1500. Isn't it so?

I'm steering clear of this, looks too scammy!  ???

I never really used this card to buy online things but so far only used to withdraw cash from ATM's. I initially added this card to the Paypal account for use. The activation was successful but I never used this card to buy any online things. I brought this card only to withdraw money from the ATM's.

I used xapo around that time too, didn't really have any problems with it for the few months I tried out their service; you might've been an isolated incident. can't speak for their card though, although it seems a few people tried it out and found it useful.

What about Bitwalla, anyone used them recently?

never heard about this. i am using xapo in the past but i don't use the card, i only use the wallet but now i move my balance into another wallet. actually i don't have any problem when using xapo but sometimes i am confusing with how to use and once i made mistake when i want to send some balance.

Why isn't Xapo a good choice to anonymity?

Because they request you to get verified in order to be able to use the card repetitively. IMO, this is something any serious card provider would ask. At least Xapo s a real company.

That's the only thing that xapo can be good of. They are real company although there are some customers that they want the company to follow their own desire and rules.

But if you don't want them to see your identity or you are annoyed of any verification, don't just use them.

Yeah, it's normal have this process. Can you tell if we don't have to declare in the tax-declaration issue?

For xapo doesn't seems fine because their fees little higher than web wallets like Coinbase or Blockchain. Their vault is having good security concerns. If you still wish to have a higher fees wallet you can use it. However, they are very strong in security wise.

I see you asked about taxes but nobody answered about it. Well, verythings depends on your country laws. If there will be movement of big amounts of btc through your card, I'm sure that institution of taxes can ask for declaration and you will have to provide how do you get these btc. Probably, you will have to pay income tax. Debit card isn't anonymous, Xapo is working in EU jurisdiction and financial regulations is quite stric there.
Anyway, I recommend you to study information about regulations of btc and taxes of income to avoid any problems in future.