Best Crypto Cards in Chile (2026)

The CMF (Comision para el Mercado Financiero) regulates crypto under the Ley Fintech passed in January 2023. This framework requires VASP registration, AML/KYC compliance, and operational standards. Chile was the second LATAM country (after Mexico) to create comprehensive fintech regulation.

The Banco Central de Chile oversees monetary policy and CLP. The SII (Servicio de Impuestos Internos) handles crypto tax compliance. Chile's approach is methodical and aligned with OECD standards, consistent with its reputation as LATAM's most institutionally stable market.

Bybit, Binance, and Crypto.com serve Chilean users under LATAM/global coverage. Buda.com (Chilean-founded) is the largest domestic exchange. KAST serves under global coverage.

Chile's 2023 Ley Fintech provides one of LATAM's clearest regulatory frameworks for crypto services.

Chile taxes crypto gains as income under progressive rates up to 40% (Impuesto Global Complementario). The SII (Servicio de Impuestos Internos) requires reporting of all crypto disposals. Spending crypto through a card constitutes a taxable disposal event.

Example: You bought 0.01 BTC at CLP 2,000,000 and spend it when it is worth CLP 10,000,000. The CLP 8,000,000 gain is taxed at your marginal rate. At the 25.5% bracket, the tax is CLP 2,040,000.

At rates up to 40%, stablecoin funding is strongly recommended. The SII has been increasing crypto scrutiny. USDC spending keeps gain calculations clean.

Chilean crypto card applications require a cedula de identidad (RUN/RUT card, Rol Unico Nacional) for citizens, or passport plus visa/residence permit for foreign residents. The RUT (Rol Unico Tributario, tax ID) is required for most financial services.

Proof of Chilean address via utility bill (cuenta de luz/agua/gas), bank statement (cartola), or certificado de domicilio from the Registro Civil. Buda.com and other CMF-registered platforms have established KYC for Chilean residents.

Physical cards ship to Chilean addresses within 7-14 business days. Virtual cards are available immediately for Apple Pay and Google Pay use.

Stablecoin Strategy at Up to 40% Tax

Chile's progressive income tax rates up to 40% make spending appreciated crypto expensive. Fund your card with USDC to avoid creating taxable disposal events on appreciated crypto. The SII is increasingly monitoring digital asset transactions.

Card Selection by Use Case

• Binance (8% cashback): Best for Binance ecosystem users
• Bybit (up to 10% VIP): Best for high-volume Bybit traders
• KAST (2% cashback, free): Best no-fee starter card
• Crypto.com (up to 5%): Best for lounge access at SCL (Arturo Merino Benitez)

Spending Scenario: CLP 500,000/month (~$530)

CLP 480,000/year covers 2+ months of groceries at Lider or Jumbo.

FX Is Critical for CLP Users

CLP is not pegged to any currency. Cards with 0% FX fees save 2-4% per transaction versus Banco de Chile or BancoEstado debit cards. On CLP 500,000/month, that is CLP 120,000-240,000/year in FX savings.

Local Payment Infrastructure

Card acceptance is strong in Santiago, Valparaiso, and Concepcion. Contactless Visa/Mastercard works at malls (Costanera Center, Parque Arauco), supermarkets (Lider, Jumbo, Santa Isabel), and modern restaurants. Transbank processes most Chilean card transactions. Ferias libres (open-air markets) and smaller shops often prefer cash. Apple Pay is supported at major retailers.

LATAM exchange cards: Bybit (up to 10% VIP), Binance (8%), and Crypto.com (up to 5%) serve Chilean users under LATAM/global coverage.

Globally available: KAST, xPlace, and RedotPay serve under worldwide coverage.

Domestic: Buda.com (Chilean-founded, largest domestic exchange) and OrionX serve the local market. Neither offers a Visa/Mastercard spending card in our comparison. Buda.com operates across Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina.

Self-custody options: Bleap (2%, free) and Tria (up to 6%) offer self-custody spending for Chilean users.