Side-by-side card comparison

Ethena Pay vs Pionex: fees, rewards and account setup

Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score by 29 points (86 vs 57). Ethena Pay Card also looks stronger for Cashback, Travel, Funds control, Lowest fees, and Transfers. The details below show where Pionex Card may still be the better personal fit.

Information checked Sep 1, 202671 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. Pionex 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.

OverallEthena Pay86Pionex57Higher score
CashbackEthena Pay89Pionex52Higher score
TravelEthena Pay64Pionex29Higher score
Funds controlEthena Pay86Pionex43Higher score
Lowest feesEthena Pay87Pionex58Higher score
TransfersEthena Pay82Pionex79Higher score

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

Choose Pionex Card if its day-to-day setup suits you

Pionex 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.

  • Visa and Mastercard options
  • 0.1%-1% cashback in USDT
  • Pionex account funding and payouts

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
Ethena Pay86
Pionex57

Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score by 29 points.

Entry cost & FX
Ethena Pay$0 plan · 0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies FX
Pionex$0 plan · Not disclosed 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
Ethena Pay4% base · up to 5%
Pionex0.1% base · up to 1%

Ethena Pay Card has the higher published base cashback rate (4% vs 0.1%).

Funds control
Ethena PayHybrid custody
PionexCustodial balance

Ethena Pay Card uses a hybrid custody setup, while Pionex Card uses a custodial balance setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.

Everyday access
Ethena PayVirtual · Apple Pay
PionexVirtual · Apple Pay, Google Pay

Pionex Card lists more card formats and phone-wallet options (3 vs 2).

Money movement
Ethena Pay1 stablecoin · Stablecoin transfers; Ethena Pay user transfer; Bank withdrawal
Pionex1 stablecoin · Stablecoin transfers; Pionex Primary ↔ Card account transfer, Pionex Primary → Mastercard account transfer; Pionex account cash-out

Both cards list the same number of stablecoins and ways to send money out.

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.

2 cards compared
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
Cashback
0.1%-1%
Plan cost
$0
FX fee
Not disclosed
ATM fee
Not available
Card formats
Virtual
Wallet payments
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Receive methods
1 crypto · 0 fiat
Payout methods
1 crypto · 0 fiat

Partner links may earn us a commission. Read our affiliate disclosure for how these links work.

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
Cards
Ethena Pay CardOverall86
Pionex CardOverall57
01

Scores

6 fields
Overall Score
Ethena Pay Card
86
Pionex Card
57
Cashback score
Ethena Pay Card
89
Pionex Card
52
Travel score
Ethena Pay Card
64
Pionex Card
29
Funds control score
Ethena Pay Card
86
Pionex Card
43
Lowest fees score
Ethena Pay Card
87
Pionex Card
58
Transfers score
Ethena Pay Card
82
Pionex Card
79
02

Strengths & trade-offs

2 fields
Strengths
Ethena Pay Card
Strong Standard cashback bands, No Standard monthly fee or FX markup
Pionex Card
Visa and Mastercard options, 0.1%-1% cashback in USDT
Trade-offs
Ethena Pay Card
Card access is still application-gated, One-day payment grace adds liquidation risk
Pionex Card
Mastercard can cost up to 3.5%, General access is virtual-only
03

Costs

7 fields
Plan cost
Ethena Pay Card
$0
Pionex Card
$0
FX fee
Ethena Pay Card
0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
Top-up fee
Ethena Pay Card
Provider collateral-funding fee unknown; external network gas is separate
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
Card spending fee
Ethena Pay Card
0%
Pionex Card
3.5%
ATM fee
Ethena Pay Card
Not available
Pionex Card
Not available
Virtual card
Ethena Pay Card
USD 0
Pionex Card
Available
Physical card
Ethena Pay Card
Not disclosed
Pionex Card
Not available
04

Plans

2 fields
Available plans
Ethena Pay Card
3 plans: Standard, Pro, VIP
Pionex Card
2 plans: Mastercard, Visa
Top cashback plan
Ethena Pay Card
VIP: 5%
Pionex Card
Visa: 1%
05

Everyday use

8 fields
Network
Ethena Pay Card
Visa
Pionex Card
Visa/Mastercard
Card formats
Ethena Pay Card
Virtual
Pionex Card
Virtual
ATM withdrawals
Ethena Pay Card
Not available
Pionex Card
Not available
Mobile wallets
Ethena Pay Card
Apple Pay
Pionex Card
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Apps
Ethena Pay Card
iOS, Web
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
Daily spending limit
Ethena Pay Card
Dynamic, based on collateral market value
Pionex Card
$10,000-$20,000/day; $10,000-$20,000/transaction depending on network
Monthly spending limit
Ethena Pay Card
Dynamic, based on collateral market value
Pionex Card
$50,000-$100,000/month depending on network
ATM limit
Ethena Pay Card
Not available
Pionex Card
Not available
06

Funding & transfers

5 fields
Networks
Ethena Pay Card
Ethereum, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
Crypto deposits
Ethena Pay Card
Not disclosed
Pionex Card
Other crypto: Supported crypto
Fiat deposits
Ethena Pay Card
Not disclosed
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
Transfers
Ethena Pay Card
Stablecoin transfers; Ethena Pay user transfer; Bank withdrawal
Pionex Card
Stablecoin transfers; Pionex Primary ↔ Card account transfer, Pionex Primary → Mastercard account transfer; Pionex account cash-out
Payout currencies
Ethena Pay Card
Not disclosed
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
07

Rewards

3 fields
Base cashback
Ethena Pay Card
4%
Pionex Card
0.1%
Max cashback
Ethena Pay Card
5%
Pionex Card
1%
Reward currency
Ethena Pay Card
AVAX
Pionex Card
USDT
08

Earn

5 fields
Advertised APY
Ethena Pay Card
Up to 6% APY
Pionex Card
Up to 5% APY
How it works
Ethena Pay Card
Earn on spending balance
Pionex Card
Earn on spending balance
Separate deposit
Ethena Pay Card
No
Pionex Card
No
Use balance for spending
Ethena Pay Card
Yes
Pionex Card
Yes
Lock-up
Ethena Pay Card
No
Pionex Card
No
09

Trust & availability

5 fields
Custody
Ethena Pay Card
Hybrid custody
Pionex Card
Custodial
Control until payment
Ethena Pay Card
You keep control
Pionex Card
Provider controls funds
Card issuer
Ethena Pay Card
Third National
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
Card processing
Ethena Pay Card
Signify Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Rain
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
Identity verification
Ethena Pay Card
Sumsub
Pionex Card
Not disclosed
10

Sources

2 fields
Official sources
Ethena Pay Card
12
Pionex Card
59
Last reviewed
Ethena Pay Card
Sep 1, 2026
Pionex Card
Aug 14, 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 57 for Pionex 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 0.1%).

Pionex Card can still be the more comfortable choice if its availability, card setup or way of holding funds suits you better. Ethena Pay Card uses a hybrid custody setup, while Pionex Card uses a custodial balance setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.

Both cards list the same number of stablecoins and ways to send money out. 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 Ethena Pay Card and Pionex Card reviews first.

05 · Common questions

Ethena Pay vs Pionex FAQ

Is Ethena Pay or Pionex better overall?

Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score (86 vs 57). 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, Ethena Pay or Pionex?

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, Ethena Pay or Pionex?

Ethena Pay Card has the higher published base cashback rate (4% vs 0.1%). Maximum rates may depend on tiers, caps, categories or other conditions, so the entry rate and reward asset matter too.

How do Ethena Pay and Pionex differ on custody?

Ethena Pay Card uses a hybrid custody setup, while Pionex Card uses a custodial balance setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.

How current is this Ethena Pay vs Pionex comparison?

The latest information check for these two cards was September 1, 2026, using 71 official sources in total. Each full card review lists its own check date, sources and anything the provider has not clearly disclosed.

06 · Keep comparing

See how each card compares with other close alternatives, or choose a different pair yourself.

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