Verdict
- Curve Pay scores higher overall (6.0 vs 5.9 out of 10).
- Kolo Card is clearly stronger on: Transparency.
- A full annual cost comparison is not possible yet because some fees are not disclosed or not yet researched.
Curve Pay is a good fit for
- No specific audience can be derived from the published data yet.
Kolo Card is a good fit for
- People who want to keep control of their keys
- Stablecoin holders
Stronger on: Transparency
★ Our pickEditorial choice · score unchanged · Affiliate link
Neither card is our pick. The card we recommend instead:
Crypto native · ether.fi
Why we recommend it
- 3% cashback in ETHFI on up to $2,000 of spend a monthConditions apply
- 5.35% variable interest on your balanceConditions apply
- No annual or monthly fee on the base tierConditions apply
- Extras on the base tier: airport lounge access, travel / rental car insurance, purchase protectionConditions apply
- Self-custody: funds stay in your own walletConditions apply
Conditions apply; the review lists them with sources.
Score by criterion
| Criterion | Curve Pay | Kolo Card |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | 100 | 100 |
| Cashback & rewards | 3 | 8 |
| Availability | 100 | – |
| FX & international | 0 | – |
| Product features | 70 | 70 |
| Custody & security | 75 | 80 |
| Credit & financing | – | – |
| Limits & ATM | 60 | – |
| Transparency | 86 | 100 |
| Best for Cashback | 4.1 | 4.2 |
| Best for Travel | 4.6 | n/a |
| Best for Self-Custody | n/a | 6.9 |
| Best for DeFi Users | n/a | 6.3 |
| Best for Stablecoins | n/a | 6.6 |
| Best for High Spenders | 3.5 | 4.4 |
| Best for Low Fees | 6.7 | 8.0 |
| Best for Beginners | 7.8 | 7.4 |
| Best E-Money Card | 6.4 | n/a |
Conditions apply, e.g. only for the base tier, up to a monthly cap or in some countries. Tap a value with * (or hover over it) to see them.
Product
Product status
ActiveShow source
ActiveShow source
Card type
Debit cardShow source
Network
MastercardShow source
VisaShow source
Custody model
CustodialConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
The provider holds the funds
Self-custodyConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Since 1 July 2026: Kolo holds one key share and never assembles the full private key
Card issuer / program manager
Curve UK Limited (UK) / Curve Europe UAB (EEA)Show source
Tiers / plans
Curve Pay · Curve Pay X · Curve Pay Pro · Curve Pay Pro+Show source
Fees
Monthly fee
FreeConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Curve Pay (free plan)
FX fee
2.99%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Free plan above £250/month fee-free FX; paid plans £3,333–£100,000 fee-free
Crypto conversion fee
0%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
0% markup on USDT, USDC and EURC
ATM fee
2% (min. £2)Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
No free allowance on the free plan; X £300, Pro £500, Pro+ £1,000 per month
Other fees & markups
+1.5% on weekend FX spending (free plan) · 1.5% per transaction on commercial cards · 2.9% when funding through an international payment card above the allowanceShow source
Cashback & rewards
Base cashback
0%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Free plan
Max cashback
1%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Paid plans: on non-European/non-UK currency spend (X) or selected retailers (Pro/Pro+, capped £25/£50 per month)
2%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Promotional programme that Kolo may change or end at any time
Cashback paid in
Curve CashShow source
BTCShow source
Cashback type
FiatShow source
CryptoShow source
Cashback conditions
1% on non-European/non-UK currency spend requires a premium plan (X, Pro or Pro+) · Pro: 1% at 6 chosen retailers up to £25/month; Pro+: 12 retailers up to £50/month · Brand offers up to 20%, usually one-time and activated in app, UK only (coming soon to EEA)Show source
Credited only after the purchase has cleared ('Accrued' then 'Paid') · Kolo may modify, suspend or end the Cashback Program at any timeShow source
Availability
Available in
United Kingdom, EEAShow source
Features
Apple Pay
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Card can be added to Apple Pay for online payments; using Apple Pay for contactless may forfeit cashback and fee-free FX
YesShow source
Google Pay
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Card can be added to Google Pay; using Google Pay for contactless may forfeit cashback and fee-free FX
YesShow source
Physical card
YesShow source
Virtual card
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Curve Pay digital wallet (free plan); physical card free from Curve Pay X
ATM withdrawals
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Fee-free foreign ATM withdrawals only on paid plans (X: up to £/€ 300)
Spend stablecoins
YesShow source
Airport lounge access
NoConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Only Curve Pay Pro+ (paid plan); free Curve Pay does not list it
Spendable assets
BTC · ETH · LTC · USDT · USDC · EURCShow source
Security & custody
Regulation / licences
FCA-authorised e-money issuer (Curve UK Limited, UK) · Bank of Lithuania e-money licence No. 73 (Curve Europe UAB, EEA)Show source
Deposit protection
NoConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Stated for UK customers and for funds on the Curve Cash card
Annual cost at 1,500 EUR/month
Curve Pay
- Annual & monthly fees+0 EUR
- FX costs−108 EUR
- Crypto conversion–
- ATM costs−29 EUR
- Cashback+0 EUR
- Net annual value-136 EUR
Kolo Card
- Annual & monthly feesunknown
- FX costsunknown
- Crypto conversion–
- ATM costsunknown
- Cashbackunknown
- Net annual valuenot enough data
Assumes 300 EUR foreign spend and 100 EUR ATM per month, base tier only. Use your own numbers