Uphold Unveils Revolutionary Crypto-Enabled Card in Europe

The Big Announcement

Uphold, a leading figure in the digital wallet and trading sphere, has officially acquired Optimus Cards UK Limited, making waves with plans to launch a cryptocurrency-enabled card across Europe. This announcement dropped on February 2, and it’s already stirring excitement amongst financial tech enthusiasts!

Uphold’s European Journey

Kick-starting in April 2021, Uphold’s CEO JP Thieriot has declared that European customers will soon join their American counterparts in the thrilling crypto revolution. He mentioned, “From April, we plan to start rolling out the world’s first, multi-asset, crypto-enabled debit card on the Optimus platform in Europe.” That’s music to the ears of those eagerly awaiting financial innovation!

Lucky Europeans Get Bitcoin Payroll

Talk about transforming the traditional banking experience! Thieriot highlighted, “Very soon our European customers will be able to receive part or all of their salary in Bitcoin — or any asset of their choice — and spend it using Uphold Cards issued through Optimus.” Imagine your paycheck being delivered in Bitcoin, while your neighbor is still relying on paper checks!

Assets in the Mix

The new card isn’t merely about cryptos. It will support a buffet of assets from Uphold, including precious metals, U.S. equities, and even carbon credits. It’s practically a multi-asset buffet of financial possibilities!

Optimus: The Heavyweight in Cards

Now let’s talk about Optimus. As one of Europe’s major debit and credit card issuers, they’re not just kicking up dust; they’re regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, making them a credible partner. With their services compatible with the likes of Apple Pay and Google Pay, users will find both convenience and reliability when using their Uphold cards.

The Road Ahead

While Uphold has not disclosed the acquisition cost, the excitement is palpable and the interest in crypto cards continues to soar. Previously, in the U.S., Uphold rolled out its multi-asset debit card supporting 24 crypto assets and 27 fiat currencies. Meanwhile, competitors like Binance are also eyeing this opportunity. The crypto card wars might just be heating up!