Bitget Wallet Expands Zero-Fee Crypto Card in Latin America

WHY THIS MATTERS:
Stablecoins are increasingly being used as practical financial tools across Latin America, where inflation, currency volatility and cross-border payment friction remain persistent challenges. By launching a USD-denominated crypto payment card that allows users to spend USDC directly from a self-custodial wallet, Bitget Wallet is attempting to bridge crypto balances with everyday commerce. Automatic conversion at the point of sale and fee rebates within monthly limits aim to reduce the hidden FX costs that often erode value in traditional cross-border spending.

The integration with Mastercard’s global network and mobile wallet support removes a major barrier to adoption: usability. Instead of requiring merchants to accept crypto directly, the infrastructure translates stablecoin balances into familiar card payments. In a region where stablecoins already dominate crypto transaction volumes, this kind of embedded payment utility reflects the shift from speculative holding to real-world spending.

Bitget Wallet, the everyday finance app, has launched a crypto payment card across Latin America in partnership with issuer Immersve, expanding a USD-denominated card designed for near-frictionless everyday spending. 

Bitget Wallet Card allows users to spend stablecoins directly from a self-custodial wallet, with transactions settled in U.S. dollars and automatically converted from USDC at the point of purchase. Payments are processed and settled in USD through international card networks. Within monthly limits, foreign exchange and crypto conversion fees are fully rebated, enabling users to preserve around 1.7% in value per transaction compared with traditional cards that embed FX markups. The card carries no top-up, monthly, or inactivity fees. 

Bitget Wallet Card is issued digitally through the Bitget Wallet app, supporting Apple Pay and Google Pay for use online and in-store across more than 150 million merchants globally where Mastercard is accepted. Leveraging Mastercard Digital First technology, users can apply digitally and add the card to mobile wallets within minutes. 

The launch comes as Latin America cements its role as a major crypto market. Chainalysis data shows stablecoins now account for more than 90% of crypto transaction volume in Brazil, while studies estimate that about 57 million people hold digital assets after 63% year-over-year adoption growth in the region. 

“Zero friction is what users care about most,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “The Bitget Wallet Card is part of our broader Pay strategy to make stablecoins usable for everyday spending, from card payments to QR, bank transfer, and in-app purchases, by removing hidden fees and currency friction at the point of use.” 

“Latin America is one of the most important regions for real-world crypto adoption,” said Jerome Faury, CEO of Immersve. “This partnership ensures digital asset payments work seamlessly within established global payment rails while meeting the requirements needed to operate at scale.” 

FF NEWS TAKE:
Crypto cards are not new — but self-custodial stablecoin cards with FX rebate positioning sharpen the value proposition. The strategy here is clear: eliminate friction, preserve value, and integrate into existing payment rails rather than replace them.

The real test will be economics and regulation. Sustaining fee rebates and operating compliantly across diverse Latin American jurisdictions will determine whether this remains a niche crypto utility or evolves into a mainstream alternative for dollar-based spending.