Quick Breakdown
- •Tangem Pay enables spending USDC directly from a self-custodied wallet using a virtual Visa card.
- •Funds stay onchain until checkout, where they are converted 1:1 to USD during payment.
- •The feature begins rolling out this month across several regions, with EU/UK expansion planned for 2026.
Tangem is rolling out a new feature designed to bridge self-custody and everyday spending—without requiring users to relinquish control of their crypto. The company announced on November 6 that it has introduced Tangem Pay, a virtual Visa card that lets users spend USDC directly from their self-custodied wallet, both online and in-store.
Onchain Balance, Real-World Payments
Tangem Pay operates inside the existing Tangem Wallet app as a non-custodial payment account. Users load the account with USDC on the Polygon network, and can then make purchases through Apple Pay, Google Pay, or any merchant that accepts Visa.
Crucially, funds remain onchain until the moment of purchase. At checkout, USDC is converted 1:1 to USD over Visa’s settlement rails, so users don’t need to pre-convert to fiat or move funds through a centralized exchange.
Tangem stresses that the wallet remains user-controlled. The security system relies on a dual-key structure in which the user retains one private key. Issuing partner Rain holds a second key that only confirms transactions in real-time.
Rain cannot move funds independently, and identity verification applies solely to Tangem Pay, not the full wallet.
There are no monthly account fees or extra transaction charges. Users only pay the standard Polygon gas fees and Visa foreign exchange fees for cross-border purchases.
Supported Regions and Upcoming Expansion
Activation for Tangem Pay will start later this month, beginning with a waitlist rollout. The first regions include the United States, Latin America, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, South Africa and the UAE. A physical card version will launch at a later stage.
Tangem also confirmed plans to expand into the UK and EU in Q1 2026, aligning with MiCA regulatory requirements. In January, Tangem was granted a United States patent for its innovative private key backup technology, enhancing security and usability for crypto users.