A Monero prepaid card lets you spend XMR at online stores that take Visa. You load the card with Monero first, then spend the dollars on it. There is no bank account and no credit. You can only spend what you put on the card.
Key takeaways
- A prepaid card only spends the money you load onto it.
- With HideTap, you load it with Monero and spend US dollars online.
- There is no bank account, no credit check and no debt.
- It is virtual only, for online payments. There is no plastic card or ATM cash.
Prepaid, debit or credit: what's the difference?
| Card type | Where the money comes from | Needs a bank? | Can you overspend? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid card | Money you load first | No | No |
| Debit card | Your bank account | Yes | Sometimes |
| Credit card | Money you borrow | Yes | Yes |
A prepaid card is the simplest choice for spending Monero. You can never spend more than you loaded, and nothing is linked to a bank account.
Why pay with Monero?
- Private by design. Monero keeps who sent a payment, who got it and how much private on its network.
- No bank in the middle. You fill the card with crypto, so your bank never sees what you buy.
- The store sees a normal card. It gets a Visa payment with the card's alias name, not your real name.
- Easy budgeting. Load only what you want to spend this month.
How to get a Monero prepaid card
- Make an account. Sign up and open your dashboard.
- Deposit Monero. Choose Deposit, then pick Monero (XMR). The invoice shows an address and the exact amount to send. Send that amount from your Monero wallet before the invoice runs out.
- Wait for confirmations. Monero needs 10 network confirmations. This usually takes about 20 minutes. Then the money shows in your wallet.
- Make a card. Go to Cards and make a Shield 3DS Card.
- Load the card. Choose how much to move from your wallet onto the card.
- Start paying. Use the card number, expiry date and CVV at any online store that takes Visa.
- Enter the security code if asked. Some payments ask for a one-time code (this is called 3D Secure). Go to your card page. You will find the 3DS password and the latest one-time code there. Type the code in before it expires.
What it costs
| What | Cost |
|---|---|
| Deposit Monero | Shown on the invoice before you pay |
| Make a new card | $12.50, once |
| Monthly card fee | $10 per card, taken from your wallet |
| Add money to a card | 9.5% + $3 each time |
| Payments under 30 EUR | $0.87 per payment |
| Declined payment | $0.87 |
| Take money off a card | $1 or 1% |
| Limit per payment | Up to $5,000 |
| Daily or monthly limit | No limit |
Example: say you pay $20 for something online. You add $25 to the card. The top-up fee is 9.5% of $25 ($2.38) plus $3, so $5.38. The payment is under 30 EUR, so there is also a $0.87 payment fee. You always see the exact fees before you confirm anything.
Top-up tips
- Top up in bigger amounts, less often. Each top-up has a $3 part, so fewer top-ups cost less.
- Use one card for many services. The $10 monthly fee is per card, not per store.
- Take back what you don't need. You can move money from the card back to your wallet.
How to keep it working
- Deposit early. Monero takes about 20 minutes to confirm. Don't wait until the day a payment is due.
- Keep a little extra on the card. A few dollars more than you plan to spend is enough.
- Keep money in your wallet for the monthly card fee. If your wallet can't pay the $10 when it's due, the card is closed for good. Any money left on it goes back to your wallet.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Monero deposit take?
Usually about 20 minutes. Monero needs 10 network confirmations before the money shows in your wallet.
What if I send the wrong amount of Monero?
Always send the exact amount the invoice shows. If you send too little, the deposit may not finish. Contact support with your transaction ID and we will help.
Is there a Monero debit card?
Most "Monero debit cards" are really prepaid cards. You load them with crypto first. HideTap works the same way, without a bank account.
Can I use it in shops or at an ATM?
No. It is a virtual card for online payments only.
Is there a spending limit?
Each payment can be up to $5,000. There is no daily or monthly limit.
Can I reload the card?
Yes. Deposit more Monero and add money to the same card whenever you need to.
Get started
Make a HideTap account and load your first prepaid card with Monero. For the full walkthrough, read how to buy a virtual card with Monero.
