Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has officially teamed up with Mastercard to launch crypto debit cards across the United Kingdom and Europe, aiming to revolutionize the way digital assets are spent in daily life.

The move, announced April 8, signals Kraken’s major leap into traditional payment systems as it continues to seek licensing under the EU’s upcoming crypto regulations known as Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). With this new card, users will soon be able to spend cryptocurrencies and stablecoins at any merchant that accepts Mastercard—just like they would with regular money. Kraken confirmed that rollout is expected in the coming weeks, and an open waitlist is now available.

This latest development builds on the rapid success of Kraken Pay, the exchange’s payment solution introduced in January 2025. Kraken Pay allows users to send over 300 crypto assets globally and features a paylink tool for easy URL-based transactions. More than 200,000 users have activated "Kraktag," a private identifier that enables crypto transfers without revealing sensitive bank details.

Kraken’s co-CEO David Ripley emphasized the growing demand for crypto’s real-world utility, stating that the Mastercard partnership is a significant step toward making digital currencies usable in everyday life. “Crypto is evolving the payments industry,” Ripley said. “Together with Mastercard, we are making crypto truly functional for global commerce.”

For Mastercard, this partnership is part of a broader push into the crypto space. The company has already joined forces with major crypto platforms like MetaMask and Mercuryo. According to Scott Abrahams, Mastercard’s EVP of global partnerships, this collaboration with Kraken shows their commitment to shaping the future of digital payments.