Wirex Launching Bitcoin Debit Cards in Europe

New crypto debit cards, with multiple currency accounts in GBP, EUR, USD, and BTC are offered by Wirex in Europe. The first plastic Visa cards were issued on Thursday, according to media reports. The new cards were made available for UK users on March 8. The service should be offered to customers in other EU countries by the end of the month.

Cryptocurrency bank Wirex is launching new debit crypto cards for its customers in the European Union. The new generation supports multiple currency accounts and comes with contactless payment functionality, according to a company press release, quoted by crypto media. The first new plastic Visa cards were already issued Thursday, the announcement states.

The redesigned Wirex accounts and the new cards are available in the UK since March 8, the reports say. Users in France, Germany and Italy will be able to order the cards on March 20. The launch date for other EU countries is said to be March 27.

Earlier this week, Wirex Community Manager Raphael Shalaby confirmed successful beta tests, both internal and external, with a number of payment processors. Items have been purchased from merchants like Amazon, using the new Wirex card. “Rollout will start within 14 days on a country by country basis”, Shalaby said in the company’s forum. He added that virtual cards were “days away” and the plastic cards are being manufactured. Their release would take another 5-6 weeks, he said.

Three types of payment cards will be offered by Wirex – a virtual card, a physical one, allowing contactless payments (initially in GBP, later in EUR), and a pre-paid debit card similar to the original Wirex card (available for other currencies). Responding to questions about the pending launch, Raphael Shalaby said he did not have an exact timeframe, but added:

It’s a priority. I can only say it will happen ASAP!

The company’s website reads that users can access their virtual cards immediately after registration, and claiming one is free of charge. Ordering a plastic card currently requires joining a waiting list. According to Wirex Community Manager, people on that list will be prioritized. An order for a plastic card submitted in the UK returned a number close to 57,000.

Wirex cards can be used for cryptocurrency payments, as well as instant exchange between digital coins and fiat money. The company claims it is currently the only provider offering Europeans the opportunity to pay for goods and services by converting cryptocurrency.