As more products embed financial services into their user journeys, one part of the experience still lags behind: issuing and managing cards. Whether for spending rewards, converting crypto to fiat, or everyday payments, users expect fast, seamless access to digital cards. Yet, the legacy process tied to traditional card schemes is often a roadblock—especially for companies operating in crypto or emerging fintech. The challenge isn’t the idea of card payments. It’s the infrastructure behind them.

To offer card payments, companies typically need access to a card scheme like Visa or Mastercard. But that path is time-consuming, expensive, and full of compliance requirements. For many startups, it's also out of reach.Add the complexity of handling card processing—from user onboarding to backend settlement—and the cost of entry becomes even higher. For crypto platforms in particular, launching a card program can mean navigating both regulatory uncertainty and legacy infrastructure that wasn’t designed for digital assets.

Instead of managing the full stack, more companies are now integrating with platforms that abstract away the card scheme layer. This approach makes it possible to issue instant debit cards—virtual cards that are ready to use within seconds of onboarding. These cards can be added to mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, turning crypto balances into spendable funds at the tap of a screen. Because the card processing is handled behind the scenes, product teams can focus on delivering value rather than managing infrastructure.

Another shift is happening in how card payments are secured. As mobile and contactless payments become standard, payment tokenization—the practice of replacing sensitive card data with secure digital tokens—is becoming critical. Tokens protect card data during transactions and allow users to connect their cards to multiple wallets without exposing the underlying number. For developers, this also means easier integration with wallet providers like Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, or Garmin Pay. With real-time processing and token lifecycle management through APIs, fintechs can now launch fully secure card payment experiences that are mobile-first by design.

If you're building a financial product—especially one that touches crypto—now is the time to rethink your card strategy. Embedding card payments no longer has to involve long lead times, direct partnerships with a card scheme, or building an in-house card processing stack. By leveraging more flexible card issuance options, you can bring cards to market faster, support wallet provisioning, and meet the growing demand for frictionless spending experiences. The end result? A better user experience, greater agility, and fewer dependencies on legacy systems.