Paycoin is taking a big step forward with its plan to launch a crypto-backed Mastercard debit card on April 30. This move could bring crypto payments one step closer to everyday use—especially across Europe.
The card is being rolled out by PayProtocol, the company behind Paycoin, in collaboration with Swiss neobank SR Saphirstein AG. Users will be able to load it with Paycoin’s PCI token, Ethereum (ETH), and USD Coin (USDC), and spend their crypto at any place that accepts Mastercard—both online and in physical stores.
One key feature? It’s a self-custody card. That means you stay in control of your assets, while still enjoying the convenience of a globally accepted payment card. It also works with Apple Pay and Google Pay for even easier access.
Initially, the card will only be available in the EU and EFTA regions. But the company plans to expand to more countries and add support for more cryptocurrencies in the future.
PayProtocol says the launch builds on PCI’s growing role in the DeFi space. Since going public on Uniswap via the Arbitrum bridge, liquidity has increased, and PCI is now being used as a real-time settlement asset thanks to its low fees and fast transactions.
In South Korea, Paycoin already has a strong presence. Over 10,000 businesses—including big names like 7-Eleven, Domino’s, and KFC—accept PCI for payments. Now, the team is hoping to bring that same success to a global audience, starting with Europe.
The market has responded positively. After the Mastercard news broke, PCI’s price jumped 5.7%, and daily trading volume surged by over 900% to $7.8 million. Still, with a market cap of around $70 million and a ranking of 512th, there’s plenty of room to grow.
If adoption picks up, this Mastercard could be a game-changer for PCI—and for crypto payments in general.
