Review Methodology
Every crypto debit card we review goes through the same structured process. This page explains how we research, test, and score each card.
1. Research Phase
Before any hands-on testing, we review:
- Official fee schedules and terms of service
- KYC and verification requirements (documented with screenshots when possible)
- Supported countries and currencies
- Card network (Visa, Mastercard) and issuing bank
- Community feedback on Reddit, Twitter/X, and Trustpilot
2. Hands-On Testing
Where possible, we sign up for the card ourselves. During testing we document:
- Sign-up process and time to activation
- Actual KYC documents required (vs. what's advertised)
- Loading/top-up experience and fees
- Real-world transaction success rate
- Customer support responsiveness
3. Scoring Criteria
Each card receives a score from 1 to 10 based on five weighted factors:
| Factor | Weight | What We Evaluate |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy / KYC Level | 25% | Verification requirements, data retention, limits without full KYC |
| Fees & Value | 25% | Conversion spread, FX fees, ATM fees, hidden costs |
| Usability | 20% | App quality, card activation speed, payment success rate |
| Availability | 15% | Supported countries, currencies, virtual/physical options |
| Security & Trust | 15% | Company track record, fund safety, 2FA, card freeze |
4. KYC Classification
We classify every card into one of four KYC levels:
- None — No identity documents required. May have spending limits.
- Low — Email and/or phone only. No government ID.
- Medium — Government ID required but no proof of address.
- Full — Government ID + proof of address + possibly selfie/video.
5. Updates & Corrections
Crypto card programs change frequently. We commit to:
- Monthly review of all published content
- "Last updated" date on every article
- Corrections published within 48 hours of confirmed errors
- Clear labeling when a card program is paused or discontinued
6. Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this site are affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you sign up through our link. This never affects our ratings or recommendations. Cards with affiliate programs do not receive higher scores. See our full disclosure.