ADA Adoption Surges as Wirex and EMURGO Introduce First Cardano Crypto Card - Blockonomi

TLDR:

• EMURGO and Wirex launched the first Cardano Card at the 2025 Cardano Summit in Berlin.
• The Cardano Card allows ADA and 150+ cryptos to be spent anywhere Visa is accepted.
• Users can earn up to 8% crypto cashback and access yield and loans via Wirex.
• A non-custodial version of the Cardano Card is scheduled for release in 2026.

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The Cardano ecosystem has entered global payments with the launch of the first-ever Cardano Card. The new card, announced during the Cardano Summit 2025 in Berlin, is the result of a partnership between EMURGO and digital payments firm Wirex. 

It enables users to spend ADA and over 150 cryptocurrencies in stores and online anywhere Visa is accepted. The integration within the Wirex app offers access to seven million users across 130 countries.

Cardano Card Brings Real-World Utility to ADA

The partnership marks a major move to merge blockchain assets with mainstream finance. 

According to Wirex, the Cardano Card is fully integrated into its mobile app, providing users instant access to yield products, loans, and trading tools. The card’s release represents Cardano’s largest step yet toward everyday crypto payments.

Cardano Card holders can earn up to 8% crypto cashback and access borrowing options directly from their wallets. The company noted that the card supports both plastic and metal versions, with virtual cards also available for early registrants at the Berlin summit. 

Besides offering global ATM access and low FX fees, the card allocates a share of profits to the Cardano Treasury.

EMURGO’s leadership described the collaboration as a bridge between fintech and onchain finance. Wirex, which has processed over $20 billion in crypto transactions, aims to make digital and traditional currencies equally accessible. 

The partnership positions Cardano as a key player in the growing crypto payments sector, providing millions of users with real-world ADA spending options.

Industry data cited by Wirex indicates that over 31 million crypto wallets are already used for daily payments. This suggests a growing appetite for crypto-backed cards, especially as users seek convenience and liquidity across digital and traditional markets.

Non-Custodial Card Version Planned for 2026

The collaboration between EMURGO and Wirex extends beyond the initial launch. 

A second phase will introduce a non-custodial Cardano Card, expected in 2026, designed to enhance user control and asset security. This version will include the same features, yield, loans, and rewards, but will allow users to maintain full custody of their assets.

Wirex stated that the partnership would expand the Cardano ecosystem’s reach and usability across the global banking landscape. The rollout coincides with the broader push by Cardano to promote real-world adoption through fintech integration.

The launch was unveiled at the Cardano Summit 2025, which brought together major industry figures, including representatives from Mastercard, Orange, and the United Nations. The collaboration is a pivotal development for ADA adoption in digital payments.

According to posts shared by Wirex and EMURGO on social media, the Cardano Card reflects a broader shift toward unifying blockchain and banking services. For Cardano, it provides a new channel for visibility in the financial sector, connecting crypto wallets with traditional payment infrastructure worldwide.