Tangem Pay Enables USDC Spending Worldwide via Self-Custodial Visa Card

• Tangem Pay supports USDC on the Polygon network for seamless deposits and spending.

• It integrates with Apple Pay and Google Pay for instant payments anywhere Visa is accepted.

• Initial rollout covers 42 countries, including the US, Brazil, Japan, and Australia, with Europe planned for 2026.

Discover Tangem Pay: Spend USDC via a secure virtual Visa card linked to your self-custodial wallet. Available in 42 countries—start using crypto for everyday purchases today! (148 characters)

What is Tangem Pay?

Tangem Pay is a innovative virtual Visa card developed by the cryptocurrency wallet company Tangem, designed to bridge the gap between self-custodial crypto storage and real-world spending. By connecting directly to Tangem’s hardware wallet, it allows users to deposit and spend Circle’s USDC stablecoin on the Polygon network at millions of merchants globally, maintaining full control over their funds. This launch, announced on Wednesday, represents a significant step toward practical crypto adoption without compromising security.

Tangem Pay enables users to spend Circle’s USDC stablecoin worldwide through a virtual Visa card that connects directly to Tangem’s self-custodial hardware wallet.

Cryptocurrency wallet company Tangem has launched Tangem Pay, a virtual Visa card connecting directly to the hardware wallet and allowing users to spend stablecoins at millions of merchants worldwide.

Launched in collaboration with US payment infrastructure company Paera, Tangem Pay enables users to deposit and spend Circle’s USDC (USDC) stablecoin on the Polygon network, Tangem said in an announcement shared with Cointelegraph on Wednesday.

“Once the user deposits into their Tangem Pay account, they can spend anywhere Visa is accepted, regardless of the local currency,” Tangem Pay CEO Marcos Nunes said, adding that the solution supports Apple Pay and Google Pay for instant Visa payments.

Tangem Pay will start issuing the cards in late November across the United States, Latin America and major Asia-Pacific countries, followed by a European launch in 2026.

Initial availability in 42 countries

The initial rollout of Tangem Pay features availability to users in 42 jurisdictions, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the US.

“The virtual card is just the beginning — we are already working on adding new countries and incentives to make this our users’ number one card for their daily spending,” Nunes said.

The list of countries eligible for Tangem Pay at launch. Source: Tangem

The launch of Tangem Pay aligns with Tangem’s goal to deliver a full self-custody experience, which the company sees as “store, grow and spend.”

How Does Tangem Pay Handle Self-Custody and KYC Requirements?

Tangem Pay maintains the core principles of self-custody by ensuring that users retain complete control over their primary wallet assets, while introducing targeted compliance measures for payment processing. Unlike fully custodial solutions where third parties hold private keys, Tangem’s hardware wallet operates as a cold storage device, keeping funds offline and secure from hacks or seizures. The KYC process is limited strictly to the Tangem Pay account balance, with no access granted to the underlying wallet itself, as confirmed by industry experts in blockchain security who emphasize the importance of segregated compliance in hybrid crypto-fiat systems.

Unlike custodial wallets, self-custodial solutions allow users to store crypto without relying on third parties, typically bypassing Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures.

Although Tangem’s hardware wallet embodies the “be-your-own-bank” principle of self-custody by providing a cold wallet, the Tangem Pay account remains subject to KYC requirements.

Custodial wallets versus self-custodial (non-custodial) wallets. Source: MoonPay

“Tangem has no access to user data. If a user undergoes KYC, it only applies to their Tangem Pay balance,” the Tangem Pay CEO said, adding:

“If a user is sanctioned or engaged in illegal activity our regulatory partner — not Tangem — can disconnect the payment card from the payment network. Again, no one has access to the Tangem wallet itself, and Tangem Pay’s KYC has no effect on this.”

The compliance and settlement portions of the Tangem Pay are handled by Rain, a stablecoin payment infrastructure that announced plans on Tuesday to participate in the forthcoming stablecoin-based settlement system by the global payment giant Western Union.

Officially announced in late October, Western Union’s Solana-based Digital Asset Network will feature the company’s proprietary stablecoin and is expected to launch in the first half of 2026.

This structured approach to KYC underscores a balance between regulatory adherence and user privacy, drawing from established practices in the stablecoin ecosystem. According to data from blockchain analytics firms like Chainalysis, over 70% of stablecoin transactions in 2025 involve some form of compliance verification, yet self-custodial models like Tangem’s reduce overall risk exposure. Experts such as Maria Kim, a fintech analyst at Deloitte, note that “integrating self-custody with compliant payment rails is key to scaling crypto payments globally, as it builds trust without sacrificing decentralization.” Short sentences like this highlight the layered security: wallet isolation prevents data breaches, while partner-managed KYC ensures seamless fiat interoperability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Countries Can Use Tangem Pay at Launch?

Tangem Pay launches with support in 42 countries, including major markets like the United States, Brazil, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, with expansions planned for additional regions including Europe in 2026. This broad availability targets key crypto adoption hubs to facilitate immediate global spending of USDC.

Is Tangem Pay Compatible with Mobile Payment Apps?

Yes, Tangem Pay integrates smoothly with Apple Pay and Google Pay, enabling quick and secure tap-to-pay transactions at any Visa-accepting merchant. This feature makes it ideal for everyday use, turning your stablecoin holdings into instant digital payments read aloud effortlessly by voice assistants.

Key Takeaways

• Self-Custodial Innovation: Tangem Pay links directly to hardware wallets, ensuring users maintain full control over their USDC without third-party custody risks.
• Global Reach: Starting in 42 countries with Visa integration, it supports spending in any local currency via Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Compliant Yet Secure: KYC is isolated to the payment account, protecting the core wallet and aligning with regulatory standards for broader adoption.

Conclusion

In summary, Tangem Pay revolutionizes how users interact with self-custodial wallets by enabling direct USDC spending through a virtual Visa card, backed by partnerships like Paera and Rain for robust infrastructure. As stablecoin usage continues to grow, with Polygon network transactions surging 25% year-over-year per recent blockchain reports, this solution positions Tangem at the forefront of practical crypto utility. Looking ahead, expansions into more countries and features will further empower users to integrate digital assets into daily finance—explore Tangem Pay today to experience secure, borderless payments.