Cardano Card: EMURGO and Wirex revolutionize digital payments at the Cardano Summit 2025

EMURGO, one of the leading players in the Cardano ecosystem, has announced a strategic partnership with Wirex, a digital payments platform with over six million users in 130 countries, for the launch of the Cardano Card. The announcement was made during the Cardano Summit 2025 in Berlin, marking a historic moment for the entire digital payments sector and the global expansion of Cardano.

This collaboration represents the most extensive exposure of Cardano in the digital payments world, thanks to the native integration of the Cardano Card in the Wirex app. Wirex users, already accustomed to managing over 150 assets between traditional and digital currencies, will now also be able to use ADA, Cardano’s native cryptocurrency, for their daily transactions.

Cardano Card: Features and Functionality

A multi-chain experience and instant access

The Cardano Card will be available in both physical (plastic and metal) and virtual versions, with the option to register directly at the dedicated stand at the Cardano Summit. Integration with Wirex allows users to immediately access all the app’s features, including:

1. Borderless spending: the ability to pay online and offline with over 685 cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, including ADA, BTC, ETH, USDC, wherever the Visa network is accepted.
2. Rewards: up to 8% cashback in cryptocurrencies on purchases and bonuses for referring new users.
3. Benefits for travelers: reduced FX fees, access to ATMs, and exclusive perks for travelers.
4. Access to DeFi services: the ability to obtain loans, generate yields, and utilize borrowing services directly with ADA.
5. Support for the ecosystem: a portion of the profits generated by the Cardano Card will be allocated to the Cardano Treasury, strengthening the project’s sustainability.

Towards a Non-Custodial Solution

The roadmap outlines a second phase, with the launch of a non-custodial version of the Cardano Card scheduled for 2026. This evolution will offer users even greater control over their digital assets, ensuring security, flexibility, and autonomy in managing their cryptocurrencies. The same functionalities—such as yield, lending, and other services—will be available in a non-custodial mode, meeting the needs of a community increasingly focused on decentralization.

The Impact on the Digital Payments Sector

A Bridge Between Traditional Finance and On-Chain

The partnership between EMURGO and Wirex goes beyond the launch of a new card: it represents a true bridge between the world of traditional finance and on-chain finance. As highlighted by Phillip Pon, CEO of EMURGO Group, the Cardano Card addresses the need for a user-friendly, mobile-ready product designed for decentralized finance.

Georgy Sokolov, co-founder of Wirex, highlighted how this initiative marks a significant milestone for Cardano, as it enters the banking and global payments sector, bringing millions of users closer to a reality where digital assets are an integral part of everyday financial life.

An Unexplored Market

Wirex, with over 20 billion dollars in processed transactions and a global user base, positions itself as the ideal platform to bring Cardano to the mainstream. According to industry data, by 2025 there will be over 820 million active wallets, with more than 31 million used for daily payments. This indicates a vast market of crypto-native consumers ready to use innovative tools like the Cardano Card.

How to Obtain the Cardano Card

Registration for the Cardano Card is already open. Interested parties can apply through the official website cardanocard.io or directly at the Cardano Summit in Berlin, thus becoming among the first to experience this innovation. The availability of the card may vary depending on the region and will be subject to the eligibility criteria set by Wirex.

Cardano Summit 2025: a Global Landmark Event

The Cardano Summit 2025, taking place in Berlin on November 12 and 13, is reaffirmed as a key event for the blockchain and fintech sector. Over 75 internationally renowned speakers – including representatives from Mastercard, Orange, the United Nations, Tim Draper, and the CEO of the Cardano Foundation Frederik Gregaard – are discussing innovation, regulation, and the future of decentralized finance.

EMURGO and Wirex: Leaders in Innovation

EMURGO is one of the founding entities of the Cardano blockchain, committed to promoting the commercial adoption of blockchain technology and asset tokenization. Through strategic investments, partnerships, and infrastructure development, EMURGO connects traditional finance to Web3, fostering trust, scalability, and new business opportunities.

Wirex, on the other hand, is a digital payments platform based in the United Kingdom, recognized as a principal member of both Visa and Mastercard. With over six million customers and a presence in 130 countries, Wirex simplifies the management of both traditional and digital currencies, promoting an increasingly cashless and accessible society.

Towards the Future of Digital Payments

The launch of the Cardano Card marks a turning point for Cardano and the entire digital payments sector. Thanks to the collaboration between EMURGO and Wirex, millions of users will finally be able to integrate ADA and other digital assets into their daily lives, benefiting from innovative, secure tools designed for the future of finance.