Tangem brings self-custody to payments with global USDC Visa card
Cryptocurrency wallet company Tangem has launched Tangem Pay, a virtual Visa card integrated with its hardware wallet, enabling stablecoin payments across millions of merchants globally. Users can spend Circle's USDC on the Polygon network with support for Apple Pay and Google Pay. The cards, starting in late November 2023, will roll out in 42 countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Japan, and Australia, with Europe slated for 2026. Tangem positions the card as part of a broader self-custody crypto ecosystem, combining storage, growth, and spending. While the card is aligned with 'be-your-own-bank' principles, it adheres to KYC regulations for fund compliance. Global regulatory frameworks, such as the U.S. GENIUS Act of 2025 and EU MiCA standards, influence its operation, focusing on financial stability, AML compliance, and consumer protection.
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Introduction of Tangem Pay
Cryptocurrency wallet company Tangem has introduced Tangem Pay, a virtual Visa card that connects directly to the hardware wallet. This new innovation enables users to spend stablecoins at millions of merchants globally.
Established in partnership with US payment infrastructure company Paera, Tangem Pay allows users to deposit and spend Circle’s USDC stablecoin on the Polygon network, as stated in the company’s announcement on Wednesday.
“Once the user deposits into their Tangem Pay account, they can spend anywhere Visa is accepted, regardless of the local currency,” said Tangem Pay CEO Marcos Nunes.
The solution also supports Apple Pay and Google Pay for instant Visa payments.
Global Rollout of Tangem Pay Cards
42 countries are set to receive Tangem Pay cards in a major rollout. The cards will begin to be issued in late November 2023, starting in the United States, Latin America, and key Asia-Pacific markets. A European launch is planned for 2026.
The initial rollout includes countries like Australia, Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the U.S. CEO Marcos Nunes highlighted their future plans, stating:
“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.”
Tangem’s Vision: A Comprehensive Crypto Ecosystem
Tangem envisions the Tangem Pay card as a core component of its broader strategy for a comprehensive self-custody crypto ecosystem. This ecosystem emphasizes storage, growth, and spending, providing users with direct ownership of their cryptocurrency.
Unlike custodial wallets, self-custodial options ensure users do not need to adhere to KYC mandates. However, while the Tangem hardware wallet functions as a cold wallet consistent with the “be-your-own-bank” principles, Tangem Pay accounts are still regulated by KYC requirements. Tangem itself does not have access to user data, ensuring strong privacy controls.
If a user engages in illegal activity or becomes blacklisted, the partner regulatory authority can disconnect the card from the payment network without compromising the hardware wallet.
Compliance and Partnerships
The compliance and settlement for Tangem Pay are managed by Rain, a stablecoin payment infrastructure provider. Rain is also working on integrating with Western Union’s stablecoin-based settlement system. This system, based on the Solana Digital Asset Network, was announced in October 2023 and is set to launch in the first half of 2026.
The integration aims to further streamline stablecoin payments globally, leveraging Rain’s expertise in regulatory compliance to maintain robust practices in alignment with global standards.
Global Stablecoin Oversight and Regulations
The functionality of Tangem Pay is subject to ongoing global regulatory developments. Fiat-pegged digital tokens, commonly known as stablecoins, are under increased scrutiny due to concerns related to financial stability, consumer protection, and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance.
In the U.S., the GENIUS Act of 2025 introduced a federal definition for “payment stablecoins.” It mandates:
- Full-reserve backing in liquid assets
- Publication of monthly disclosures
- Prohibition of misleading marketing suggesting government backing
This act resolves that federally regulated stablecoins are neither securities nor bank deposits, providing clarity for both issuers and users.
Globally, regulators are also paying attention. Frameworks like the EU’s MiCA, the UK’s plans for stablecoin-specific rule regimes, and guidance from international bodies such as the FSB and FATF focus on transparency, operational resiliency, and cross-border coordination. For Tangem Pay, operating across 42 markets requires strict adherence to varying reserve requirements, consumer protection protocols, and AML compliance.