Kraken and Mastercard Unveil Physical Crypto Debit Cards for Europe and the UK

On 8 April, cryptocurrency exchange Kraken revealed a new partnership with Mastercard to introduce crypto debit cards across the United Kingdom and Europe.

This collaboration will enable Kraken to broaden its payment services by offering physical crypto debit cards, allowing users to directly spend cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.

The move aligns with Kraken's ongoing efforts to secure a license under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).

The debit cards are set to roll out in the coming weeks, with a waitlist now available for interested customers.

Partnership Fuels Kraken Pay’s Continued Growth

Kraken highlighted that its partnership with Mastercard builds on the rapid expansion of Kraken Pay, a tool launched in January 2025 that allows users to send funds directly from their Kraken account.

Kraken Pay supports over 300 cryptocurrencies, enabling seamless transfers to multiple countries worldwide.

A key feature of the service is the paylink, which lets users send payments through a simple URL.

Since its debut, Kraken Pay has already attracted over 200,000 users from Kraken’s 15 million-strong user base.

Additionally, Kraken introduced Kraktag, a unique identifier that lets users receive funds without disclosing full bank account details, further enhancing privacy and security.

Crypto Payments Expanding Rapidly

Kraken co-CEO David Ripley noted in a statement:

“Crypto is evolving the payments industry, and we see a future where global commerce and everyday payments are underpinned by crypto.”

Adding:

“Our clients want to be able to seamlessly pay for real-world goods and services with their crypto or stablecoins. Partnering with Mastercard is a major step toward us bringing that vision to life. Together, we will unlock crypto’s true everyday utility, ensuring it remains undeniably relevant and usable long-term.”

Mastercard Stands Firm in Crypto Support

Mastercard’s partnership with Kraken marks another significant step in its expanding involvement in the cryptocurrency space.

The company has previously teamed up with a range of crypto service providers, including the self-custodial wallet MetaMask and the European crypto payments infrastructure firm Mercuryo, further cementing its commitment to driving innovation in the digital currency sector.

Mastercard executive vice president of global partnerships, Scott Abrahams, said:

“Mastercard is committed to driving innovation and expanding the possibilities of digital payments. Our latest partnership with Kraken is a testament to that as we work together to unlock the true potential of crypto assets for everyday use.”