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Side-by-side card comparison
ARQ vs Ethena Pay: fees, rewards and account setup
Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score by 22 points (86 vs 64). Ethena Pay Card also looks stronger for Cashback, Travel, Funds control, Lowest fees, and Transfers. The details below show where ARQ Card may still be the better personal fit.
Information checked Sep 1, 202648 official sources reviewed
01 · Make the first cut
Ethena Pay Card is the better all-round starting point
Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score in this comparison. ARQ Card may still suit you better if its card format, way of holding funds or availability is the deciding factor. A score cannot tell you whether a provider will accept your application or whether every feature will be available where you live, so check the latest provider terms before signing up.
OverallARQ64Ethena Pay86Higher score
CashbackARQ41Ethena Pay89Higher score
TravelARQ62Ethena Pay64Higher score
Funds controlARQ52Ethena Pay86Higher score
Lowest feesARQ52Ethena Pay87Higher score
TransfersARQ75Ethena Pay82Higher score
Choose ARQ Card if its day-to-day setup suits you
ARQ Card does not lead one of the use-case scores here, but it can still be the right choice when its costs, rewards and day-to-day setup match how you plan to use it. The other card looks stronger for Cashback, Travel, Funds control, Lowest fees, and Transfers, so compare that advantage with the features you would actually use.
- Clear four-country residence coverage
- Virtual, physical and phone-wallet access
- Paid tiers add cashback and earnings
Choose Ethena Pay Card if cashback and travel matter most
Ethena Pay Card comes out ahead for Cashback, Travel, Funds control, Lowest fees, and Transfers in this comparison. It is worth a closer look if those are the parts of a card you expect to use most.
- Strong Standard cashback bands
- No Standard monthly fee or FX markup
- Collateral stays in linked wallets
The differences that could change the result
The overall score points one way, but a specific use case or product condition may point another.
- Overall Score
- ARQ64Ethena Pay86
Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score by 22 points.
- Entry cost & FX
- ARQ$0 plan · Provider spread unknown; Argentina/Brazil variant charges may apply FXEthena Pay$0 plan · 0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies FX
The starting plan and FX figures are tied, or the providers have not published enough matching information to name a lower-cost option.
- Purchase rewards
- ARQ0% base · up to 2%Ethena Pay4% base · up to 5%
Ethena Pay Card has the higher published base cashback rate (4% vs 0%).
- Funds control
- ARQCustodial balanceEthena PayHybrid custody
ARQ Card uses a custodial balance setup, while Ethena Pay Card uses a hybrid custody setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.
- Everyday access
- ARQVirtual + Physical · Apple Pay, Google PayEthena PayVirtual · Apple Pay
ARQ Card lists more card formats and phone-wallet options (4 vs 2).
- Money movement
- ARQ4 stablecoins · ARQ P2P; USD ACH payoutEthena Pay1 stablecoin · Stablecoin transfers; Ethena Pay user transfer; Bank withdrawal
ARQ Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (6 vs 4).
02 · Read the shortlist
A closer look at the two cards
These quick facts cover the costs, rewards and everyday features most likely to shape your choice. Use the full table below when you want the finer details.
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- Cashback
- 0%-2%
- Plan cost
- $0
- FX fee
- Provider spread unknown; Argentina/Brazil variant charges may apply
- ATM fee
- 1–3%
- Card formats
- Virtual, Physical
- Wallet payments
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Receive methods
- 2 crypto · 2 fiat
- Payout methods
- 0 crypto · 1 fiat
- Cashback
- 4%-5%
- Plan cost
- $0
- FX fee
- 0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies
- ATM fee
- Not available
- Card formats
- Virtual
- Wallet payments
- Apple Pay
- Receive methods
- 0 crypto · 0 fiat
- Payout methods
- 1 crypto · 0 fiat
03 · Compare the details
Compare the details side by side
We highlight a better number only when both cards publish values that can be compared fairly. Anything missing stays clearly marked.
Best known Not disclosed
CardsARQ CardOverall64Ethena Pay CardOverall86
ARQ CardOverall64Ethena Pay CardOverall86Scores
6 fields- Overall Score
- ARQ Card64Ethena Pay Card86
- Cashback score
- ARQ Card41Ethena Pay Card89
- Travel score
- ARQ Card62Ethena Pay Card64
- Funds control score
- ARQ Card52Ethena Pay Card86
- Lowest fees score
- ARQ Card52Ethena Pay Card87
- Transfers score
- ARQ Card75Ethena Pay Card82
Strengths & trade-offs
2 fields- Strengths
- ARQ CardClear four-country residence coverage, Virtual, physical and phone-wallet accessEthena Pay CardStrong Standard cashback bands, No Standard monthly fee or FX markup
- Trade-offs
- ARQ CardProvider FX spread remains unclear, Headline cashback requires membershipEthena Pay CardCard access is still application-gated, One-day payment grace adds liquidation risk
Costs
7 fields- Plan cost
- ARQ Card$0Ethena Pay Card$0
- FX fee
- ARQ CardProvider spread unknown; Argentina/Brazil variant charges may applyEthena Pay Card0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies
- Top-up fee
- ARQ CardStandard receive: 3 USDc for USD/crypto and 3 EURc for EUREthena Pay CardProvider collateral-funding fee unknown; external network gas is separate
- Card spending fee
- ARQ Card0%Ethena Pay Card0%
- ATM fee
- ARQ Card1–3%Ethena Pay CardNot available
- Virtual card
- ARQ CardFreeEthena Pay CardUSD 0
- Physical card
- ARQ Card$4.99 Standard; $0 PremiumEthena Pay CardNot disclosed
Plans
2 fields- Available plans
- ARQ Card3 plans: Standard, Premium, PrestigeEthena Pay Card3 plans: Standard, Pro, VIP
- Top cashback plan
- ARQ CardPrestige: 2%Ethena Pay CardVIP: 5%
Everyday use
8 fields- Network
- ARQ CardMastercardEthena Pay CardVisa
- Card formats
- ARQ CardVirtual, PhysicalEthena Pay CardVirtual
- ATM withdrawals
- ARQ CardAvailableEthena Pay CardNot available
- Mobile wallets
- ARQ CardApple Pay, Google PayEthena Pay CardApple Pay
- Apps
- ARQ CardiOS, AndroidEthena Pay CardiOS, Web
- Daily spending limit
- ARQ CardNot disclosedEthena Pay CardDynamic, based on collateral market value
- Monthly spending limit
- ARQ CardNot disclosedEthena Pay CardDynamic, based on collateral market value
- ATM limit
- ARQ CardNot disclosedEthena Pay CardNot available
Funding & transfers
5 fields- Networks
- ARQ CardEthereum, Polygon, TronEthena Pay CardEthereum, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum
- Crypto deposits
- ARQ CardStablecoins: USDC, USDTEthena Pay CardNot disclosed
- Fiat deposits
- ARQ CardUSD receive, EUR receiveEthena Pay CardNot disclosed
- Transfers
- ARQ CardARQ P2P; USD ACH payoutEthena Pay CardStablecoin transfers; Ethena Pay user transfer; Bank withdrawal
- Payout currencies
- ARQ CardUSDEthena Pay CardNot disclosed
Rewards
3 fields- Base cashback
- ARQ Card0%Ethena Pay Card4%
- Max cashback
- ARQ Card2%Ethena Pay Card5%
- Reward currency
- ARQ CardUSDc cashbackEthena Pay CardAVAX
Earn
5 fields- Advertised APY
- ARQ CardUp to 4.5% APYEthena Pay CardUp to 6% APY
- How it works
- ARQ CardEarn on spending balance, Optional earn vaultEthena Pay CardEarn on spending balance
- Separate deposit
- ARQ CardYesEthena Pay CardNo
- Use balance for spending
- ARQ CardNoEthena Pay CardYes
- Lock-up
- ARQ CardNoEthena Pay CardNo
Trust & availability
5 fields- Custody
- ARQ CardCustodialEthena Pay CardHybrid custody
- Control until payment
- ARQ CardProvider controls fundsEthena Pay CardYou keep control
- Card issuer
- ARQ CardNot disclosedEthena Pay CardThird National
- Card processing
- ARQ CardNot disclosedEthena Pay CardSignify Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Rain
- Identity verification
- ARQ CardNot disclosedEthena Pay CardSumsub
Sources
2 fields- Official sources
- ARQ Card36Ethena Pay Card12
- Last reviewed
- ARQ CardAug 5, 2026Ethena Pay CardSep 1, 2026
04 · The takeaway
Ethena Pay Card is the stronger all-round choice
Ethena Pay Card finishes ahead with an Overall Score of 86 versus 64 for ARQ Card. The starting plan and FX figures are tied, or the providers have not published enough matching information to name a lower-cost option. Ethena Pay Card has the higher published base cashback rate (4% vs 0%).
ARQ Card can still be the more comfortable choice if its availability, card setup or way of holding funds suits you better. ARQ Card uses a custodial balance setup, while Ethena Pay Card uses a hybrid custody setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.
ARQ Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (6 vs 4). Before applying, confirm availability in your country and recheck the provider's current fees and reward conditions.
If one card now looks like the better fit, you can check the latest application terms on the provider site or read our full ARQ Card and Ethena Pay Card reviews first.
Continue with
ARQ Card
Continue with
Ethena Pay Card
05 · Common questions
ARQ vs Ethena Pay FAQ
Is ARQ or Ethena Pay better overall?
Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score (86 vs 64). That does not make it better for everyone: your preferred fees, rewards, way of holding funds and country availability can change the practical choice.
Which has lower fees, ARQ or Ethena Pay?
The starting plan and FX figures are tied, or the providers have not published enough matching information to name a lower-cost option. Compare plan, FX, card-spend, top-up and ATM charges separately because one fee does not represent the full cost.
Which has better cashback, ARQ or Ethena Pay?
Ethena Pay Card has the higher published base cashback rate (4% vs 0%). Maximum rates may depend on tiers, caps, categories or other conditions, so the entry rate and reward asset matter too.
How do ARQ and Ethena Pay differ on custody?
ARQ Card uses a custodial balance setup, while Ethena Pay Card uses a hybrid custody setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.
How current is this ARQ vs Ethena Pay comparison?
The latest information check for these two cards was September 1, 2026, using 48 official sources in total. Each full card review lists its own check date, sources and anything the provider has not clearly disclosed.