Side-by-side card comparison

KAST vs ARQ: fees, rewards and account setup

KAST Card has the higher Overall Score by 20 points (84 vs 64). KAST 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 Aug 28, 202656 official sources reviewed

01 · Make the first cut

KAST Card is the better all-round starting point

KAST 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.

OverallKAST84ARQ64Higher score
CashbackKAST75ARQ41Higher score
TravelKAST92ARQ62Higher score
Funds controlKAST71ARQ52Higher score
Lowest feesKAST81ARQ52Higher score
TransfersKAST100ARQ75Higher score

Choose KAST Card if cashback and travel matter most

KAST 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.

  • Transfers span crypto, Tag and bank payouts
  • Physical, virtual and phone-wallet card access
  • Free tier starts with cashback

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

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
KAST84
ARQ64

KAST Card has the higher Overall Score by 20 points.

Entry cost & FX
KAST$0 plan · 0.5–1.75% FX
ARQ$0 plan · Provider spread unknown; Argentina/Brazil variant charges may apply 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
KAST1.5% base · up to 3%
ARQ0% base · up to 2%

KAST Card has the higher published base cashback rate (1.5% vs 0%).

Funds control
KASTCustodial balance
ARQCustodial balance

KAST Card and ARQ Card use the same custodial balance setup.

Everyday access
KASTVirtual + Physical · Apple Pay, Google Pay
ARQVirtual + Physical · Apple Pay, Google Pay

Both cards list the same number of card formats and phone-wallet options.

Money movement
KAST5 stablecoins · Stablecoin transfers; KAST Tag; Global USD SWIFT payout, USD local payout, EUR SEPA payout, Other local currency payouts
ARQ4 stablecoins · ARQ P2P; USD ACH payout

KAST Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (12 vs 6).

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
1.5%-3%
Plan cost
$0
FX fee
0.5–1.75%
ATM fee
$3 + 2%
Card formats
Virtual, Physical
Wallet payments
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Receive methods
32 crypto · 6 fiat
Payout methods
2 crypto · 13 fiat
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

Current signup offers

Signup value available today

A welcome offer can improve the value of your first months with a card. Check the eligibility rules, qualifying actions and deadline first. Signup offers are excluded from card scores.

KAST Card

20% off

20% off your first subscription

  • Discount is automatically applied at checkout.

Offer terms can change. Check the current KAST referral programme before signing up.

ARQ Card

No active signup offer listed

We do not currently list an active signup offer for this card.

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
KAST CardOverall84
ARQ CardOverall64
01

Scores

6 fields
Overall Score
KAST Card
84
ARQ Card
64
Cashback score
KAST Card
75
ARQ Card
41
Travel score
KAST Card
92
ARQ Card
62
Funds control score
KAST Card
71
ARQ Card
52
Lowest fees score
KAST Card
81
ARQ Card
52
Transfers score
KAST Card
100
ARQ Card
75
02

Strengths & trade-offs

2 fields
Strengths
KAST Card
Transfers span crypto, Tag and bank payouts, Physical, virtual and phone-wallet card access
ARQ Card
Clear four-country residence coverage, Virtual, physical and phone-wallet access
Trade-offs
KAST Card
Non-USD FX can exceed entry cashback, ATM use adds two charges
ARQ Card
Provider FX spread remains unclear, Headline cashback requires membership
03

Costs

7 fields
Plan cost
KAST Card
$0
ARQ Card
$0
FX fee
KAST Card
0.5–1.75%
ARQ Card
Provider spread unknown; Argentina/Brazil variant charges may apply
Top-up fee
KAST Card
0%
ARQ Card
Standard receive: 3 USDc for USD/crypto and 3 EURc for EUR
Card spending fee
KAST Card
0%
ARQ Card
0%
ATM fee
KAST Card
$3 + 2%
ARQ Card
1–3%
Virtual card
KAST Card
Free first two
ARQ Card
Free
Physical card
KAST Card
Free; $40 shipping
ARQ Card
$4.99 Standard; $0 Premium
04

Plans

2 fields
Available plans
KAST Card
3 plans: Standard, Premium, Private
ARQ Card
3 plans: Standard, Premium, Prestige
Top cashback plan
KAST Card
Private: 3%
ARQ Card
Prestige: 2%
05

Everyday use

8 fields
Network
KAST Card
Visa
ARQ Card
Mastercard
Card formats
KAST Card
Virtual, Physical
ARQ Card
Virtual, Physical
ATM withdrawals
KAST Card
Available
ARQ Card
Available
Mobile wallets
KAST Card
Apple Pay, Google Pay
ARQ Card
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Apps
KAST Card
iOS, Android
ARQ Card
iOS, Android
Daily spending limit
KAST Card
No cap
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Monthly spending limit
KAST Card
No cap
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
ATM limit
KAST Card
Limits shown in app
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
06

Funding & transfers

5 fields
Networks
KAST Card
Solana, Ethereum, Tron, Polygon, BNB Chain, Arbitrum +7
ARQ Card
Ethereum, Polygon, Tron
Crypto deposits
KAST Card
Stablecoins: USDT, USDC, USDe, PYUSD, RLUSD; Other crypto: BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, AAVE +22
ARQ Card
Stablecoins: USDC, USDT
Fiat deposits
KAST Card
USD bank transfer, EU bank transfer, BRL PIX deposit, MXN SPEI deposit +2
ARQ Card
USD receive, EUR receive
Transfers
KAST Card
Stablecoin transfers; KAST Tag; Global USD SWIFT payout, USD local payout, EUR SEPA payout, Other local currency payouts
ARQ Card
ARQ P2P; USD ACH payout
Payout currencies
KAST Card
USD, EUR, AED, SAR, JPY, INR, PHP, THB +4
ARQ Card
USD
07

Rewards

3 fields
Base cashback
KAST Card
1.5%
ARQ Card
0%
Max cashback
KAST Card
3%
ARQ Card
2%
Reward currency
KAST Card
USD cashback
ARQ Card
USDc cashback
08

Earn

5 fields
Advertised APY
KAST Card
Up to 7% APY
ARQ Card
Up to 4.5% APY
How it works
KAST Card
Optional earn vault
ARQ Card
Earn on spending balance, Optional earn vault
Separate deposit
KAST Card
Yes
ARQ Card
Yes
Use balance for spending
KAST Card
No
ARQ Card
No
Lock-up
KAST Card
No
ARQ Card
No
09

Trust & availability

6 fields
Custody
KAST Card
Custodial
ARQ Card
Custodial
Control until payment
KAST Card
Provider controls funds
ARQ Card
Provider controls funds
Card issuer
KAST Card
Third National
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Card processing
KAST Card
Tazapay
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Custody / key management
KAST Card
BitGo
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Programme operator
KAST Card
Troia Corp
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
10

Sources

2 fields
Official sources
KAST Card
20
ARQ Card
36
Last reviewed
KAST Card
Aug 28, 2026
ARQ Card
Aug 5, 2026

04 · The takeaway

KAST Card is the stronger all-round choice

KAST Card finishes ahead with an Overall Score of 84 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. KAST Card has the higher published base cashback rate (1.5% vs 0%).

ARQ Card can still be the more comfortable choice if its availability, card setup or way of holding funds suits you better. KAST Card and ARQ Card use the same custodial balance setup.

KAST Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (12 vs 6). 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 KAST Card and ARQ Card reviews first.

05 · Common questions

KAST vs ARQ FAQ

Is KAST or ARQ better overall?

KAST Card has the higher Overall Score (84 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, KAST or ARQ?

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, KAST or ARQ?

KAST Card has the higher published base cashback rate (1.5% vs 0%). Maximum rates may depend on tiers, caps, categories or other conditions, so the entry rate and reward asset matter too.

How do KAST and ARQ differ on custody?

KAST Card and ARQ Card use the same custodial balance setup.

How current is this KAST vs ARQ comparison?

The latest information check for these two cards was August 28, 2026, using 56 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.

Open the comparison workspace