ether.fi vs Ready
Side-by-side comparison of ether.fi and Ready crypto cards. Data sourced from official issuer documentation and verified by SpendNode.
Comparing 2 Cards
Side-by-side comparison of features and benefits
| Attribute |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Max Cashback | 3%Highest | 3%Highest |
| Annual Fee | FreeBest | $120 |
| FX Fee | 1% | 0% |
| Custody Model | Custodial | Custodial |
| Network | VISA | MASTERCARD |
| Regions | GLOBALUSUKEEA | EEAUK |
| Supported Assets | 4+ assets USDCETHeETHweETH | 1+ assets USDC |
| Cashback | Yes | Yes |
| Staking | Yes | No |
| Points | Yes | No |
| Airdrops | No | No |
| Lounge access | No | No |
| Subscription rebates | No | No |
| Metal card | No | Yes |
| Virtual Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Physical Cards | Yes | Yes |
| Visa | No | No |
| Mastercard | No | No |
| Apple Pay | Yes | No |
| Google Pay | Yes | Yes |
| Self-custody spend | Yes | Yes |
| Stablecoin spend | Yes | Yes |
| No annual fee | Yes | No |
| No FX fee | No | Yes |
| ATM free allowance | No | Yes |
| No KYC | No | No |
| Virtual vs Physical | Yes | Yes |
| Debit vs Prepaid | No | No |
| Best For | Best for Cashback | Best for Cashback |
Note: All data verified as of February 2026. Rewards and fees may vary based on your spending tier and region. Check each card's detailed page for complete terms.
ether.fi vs Ready: Key Differences
Two [self-custodial](/crypto-cards/self-custody/) cards for European users with identical 3% [cashback](/crypto-cards/cashback/) rates but fundamentally different spending models. [ether.fi](/crypto-cards/ether-fi-core-card/) is a Visa credit card that lets you borrow against staked ETH without selling - creating no taxable disposal event. [Ready](/crypto-cards/ready-metal-card/) (formerly Argent) is a Mastercard debit card on Starknet that spends USDC directly from your wallet - creating a taxable event on every purchase. Both serve EEA and UK. Both charge $0 annual fee at the base tier. The tax treatment difference is worth thousands per year for ETH holders.
The right choice depends on your priorities: cashback rates, regional availability, custody model, and which ecosystem you already use. Below, we break down who should choose each card.
Credit vs Debit: The Core Difference
ether.fi - Self-custodial Visa credit card. Borrow against staked ETH (eETH, weETH) as collateral. Your ETH continues earning staking yield while backing your credit line. No crypto sold at point of sale. Four tiers by Membership Points or ETHFI staking: Core (free, 3%), Luxe (10K pts, 3%), Pinnacle (50K pts, 3%), VIP (invite, 3%+). 1% FX, 0% annual, 2% ATM. Conference lounges at Luxe+. GLOBAL (US, UK, EEA). Assets: USDC, ETH, eETH, weETH.
Ready - Self-custodial Mastercard debit. Starknet smart contract wallet with co-signer model. USDC sold to fiat at point of sale (taxable disposal). Two tiers: Lite (free, 0.5%, 1% FX) and Metal (120 USDC/year, 3%, 0% FX). 16g metal card at Metal tier. $800/month free ATM (Metal). EEA + UK only. USDC only. Google Pay. Cashback in STRK, capped at $150/month.
Tax Treatment: The $3,600/Year Question
| Factor | ether.fi (credit) | Ready (debit) |
|---|---|---|
| Spending mechanism | Borrow against collateral | Sell USDC to fiat |
| Taxable disposal? | No (borrowing is not selling) | Yes (every purchase) |
| CGT on appreciated holdings | $0 | 20% on realized gains |
| Annual CGT on $3K/mo spending | $0 | $0-3,600+ (depends on cost basis) |
| Yield during spending | ETH continues earning 4%+ | USDC earns nothing on Ready |
For USDC-only spenders, the tax difference disappears. Spending USDC that was acquired at $1.00 creates negligible capital gains on either card. In this scenario, Ready Metal's 0% FX beats ether.fi's 1% FX, and both earn 3% cashback. Ready wins on pure economics for USDC spenders.
For ETH holders, ether.fi's tax advantage is massive. If you hold ETH with 50% unrealized gains and spend $36,000/year through Ready, you realize $18,000 in gains at a 20% tax rate = $3,600 in CGT. ether.fi eliminates this entirely by borrowing instead of selling.
Fee Comparison at 3%
| Scenario | ether.fi Core (3%, 1% FX) | Ready Metal (3%, 0% FX, $120/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic $3K/mo | $1,080/year | $960/year (after $120 fee) |
| Cross-currency $3K/mo | $720/year (after $360 FX) | $960/year (after $120 fee) |
| Domestic $5K/mo | $1,800/year | $1,680/year (after $120, capped $150/mo) |
SpendNode compared both at matching 3% rates: on domestic spending, ether.fi earns $120/year more (no annual fee vs Ready's $120). On cross-currency spending, Ready earns $240/year more (0% FX vs ether.fi's 1%). The fee comparison is secondary to the tax treatment - but for USDC spenders where tax is equal, Ready's 0% FX gives it a cross-currency edge.
Perks Beyond Cashback
ether.fi at Luxe and above: Conference lounge access, 65% hotel discounts, priority support, metal cards, purchase protection (Pinnacle), extended warranty, baggage coverage. Requires 10,000+ monthly points (approximately $3,334/month spending) or 15,000+ ETHFI staked.
Ready Metal: 16g metal Mastercard, $800/month free ATM withdrawals, partner perks (Ramp, Layerswap, Koinly, NordVPN discounts). Available at $120/year flat fee with no spending or staking threshold.
ether.fi's perks are richer (lounges, hotel discounts, insurance) but require higher engagement. Ready's perks are simpler but accessible at a flat $120/year.
Common Pitfalls
Choosing Ready for spending appreciated ETH without accounting for capital gains tax. Ready is a debit card - every purchase creates a taxable disposal. If your ETH has appreciated significantly, the CGT on $36,000/year in spending (at 50% gains, 20% rate) costs $3,600/year. ether.fi's credit model borrows against that same ETH with zero CGT. Even with ether.fi's 1% FX fee ($360/year on cross-currency spending), the net advantage is $3,240/year. How to avoid it: If you plan to spend from appreciated ETH or other crypto holdings with significant unrealized gains, ether.fi's credit model is the tax-efficient choice. Ready is optimal for USDC spending where no gains exist.
Using ether.fi for USDC spending when Ready Metal offers the same rate with lower fees. ether.fi charges 1% FX on cross-currency transactions even when spending USDC. Ready Metal charges 0% FX. On $3,000/month cross-currency USDC spending, ether.fi costs $360/year more in FX fees. Since USDC spending creates no capital gains on either card, the tax advantage disappears and the fee comparison determines the winner. Ready Metal wins by $240/year (0% FX + $120 fee vs 1% FX + $0 fee = $120 vs $360). How to avoid it: Match your card to your spending asset. ETH with gains: ether.fi. USDC with no gains: Ready Metal.
Which One to Pick
For ETH holders with unrealized gains: ether.fi with 3% cashback and zero capital gains tax. Your staked ETH continues earning yield while backing your credit line.
For USDC-funded daily spending in Europe: Ready Metal with 3% STRK cashback, 0% FX, and $120/year flat fee. No token required for tier access.
For lifestyle perks (lounges, hotels, insurance): ether.fi at Luxe or Pinnacle tier - if your spending volume or ETHFI stake qualifies.
For simplicity and predictability: Ready Metal. Flat $120/year, 3%, 0% FX, no points system, no tier resets.
Outlook: These cards are complementary for European crypto users. ether.fi for tax-efficient spending from ETH holdings, Ready for day-to-day USDC spending at zero FX. If Ready adds multi-asset support (ETH, BTC) or credit line functionality, it would compete more directly with ether.fi's tax advantage. If ether.fi reduces FX fees to 0%, it would eliminate Ready's cross-currency edge. Both are actively developing in 2026.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | ether.fi | Ready |
|---|---|---|
| FX Fee | 1% | 0% |
| Annual Fee | Free | $120 |
| ATM Fee | 2% | 2% |
Fees pulled from issuer documentation. Verify on the official site before applying.
Who Should Choose ether.fi
The ether.fi Core Card is best suited for users who:
- Want up to 3% cashback on spending
- Prefer a card with no annual fee
- Are based in GLOBAL, US, UK, EEA
Who Should Choose Ready
The Ready Metal Card is best suited for users who:
- Want up to 3% cashback on spending
- Need zero FX fees for international transactions
- Are based in EEA, UK
Our Verdict
**SpendNode's winner by category on tax efficiency: both earn 3% cashback, but ether.fi's credit model eliminates capital gains tax while Ready's debit model triggers it on every purchase.** On $3,000/month spending from appreciated crypto holdings, a Ready user with 50% unrealized gains faces approximately $3,600/year in capital gains tax (at 20% rate). An ether.fi user faces $0 CGT - borrowing against ETH is not a disposal. The tax saving alone ($3,600/year) dwarfs the fee difference: ether.fi charges 1% FX on cross-currency transactions while Ready Metal charges 0% FX. On $3,000/month cross-currency spending, ether.fi's FX costs $360/year versus Ready's $0 - but the $3,600 tax advantage overwhelms the $360 fee disadvantage by 10x. For stablecoin spenders with no capital gains exposure, Ready Metal matches ether.fi on cashback (3% each) while charging $120/year less in FX fees ($0 vs $360 on cross-currency). The winner depends entirely on what you are spending: appreciated ETH favors ether.fi; USDC favors Ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better cashback, ether.fi or Ready?
Both offer up to 3% cashback. The difference comes down to reward currency, spending caps, and eligibility.
Which card has lower fees?
Ready charges 0% FX fee vs ether.fi's 1%. ether.fi has no annual fee while Ready charges $120.
Is ether.fi or Ready better for self-custody?
Both use custodial models. If self-custody is important, consider providers like Gnosis Pay or ether.fi.
Which card is available in more regions?
ether.fi is available in 4 regions (GLOBAL, US, UK, EEA) compared to Ready's 2 regions (EEA, UK). Always verify eligibility on the issuer's website.