Side-by-side card comparison

XPlace vs Ethena Pay: fees, rewards and account setup

Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score by 18 points (86 vs 68). Ethena Pay Card also looks stronger for Cashback, Travel, Funds control, Lowest fees, and Transfers. The details below show where XPlace Card may still be the better personal fit.

Information checked Sep 1, 202638 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. XPlace 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.

OverallXPlace68Ethena Pay86Higher score
CashbackXPlace49Ethena Pay89Higher score
TravelXPlace61Ethena Pay64Higher score
Funds controlXPlace67Ethena Pay86Higher score
Lowest feesXPlace69Ethena Pay87Higher score
TransfersXPlace62Ethena Pay82Higher score

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

XPlace 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.

  • Two distinct USDC spending modes
  • Tiered USDC cashback with published caps
  • Phone wallets and non-custodial collateral

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
XPlace68
Ethena Pay86

Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score by 18 points.

Entry cost & FX
XPlace$0 plan · 0–1% FX
Ethena Pay$0 plan · 0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies FX

Ethena Pay Card has the lower published FX fee (0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies vs 0–1%).

Purchase rewards
XPlace0.5% base · up to 4%
Ethena Pay4% base · up to 5%

Ethena Pay Card has the higher published base cashback rate (4% vs 0.5%).

Funds control
XPlaceHybrid custody
Ethena PayHybrid custody

XPlace Card and Ethena Pay Card use the same hybrid custody setup.

Everyday access
XPlaceVirtual + Physical · Apple Pay, Google Pay
Ethena PayVirtual · Apple Pay

XPlace Card lists more card formats and phone-wallet options (4 vs 2).

Money movement
XPlace2 stablecoins · Stablecoin transfers
Ethena Pay1 stablecoin · Stablecoin transfers; Ethena Pay user transfer; Bank withdrawal

Ethena Pay Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (4 vs 3).

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
0.5%-4%
Plan cost
$0
FX fee
0–1%
ATM fee
Not available
Card formats
Virtual, Physical
Wallet payments
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Receive methods
1 crypto · 0 fiat
Payout methods
1 crypto · 0 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
Cards
XPlace CardOverall68
Ethena Pay CardOverall86
01

Scores

6 fields
Overall Score
XPlace Card
68
Ethena Pay Card
86
Cashback score
XPlace Card
49
Ethena Pay Card
89
Travel score
XPlace Card
61
Ethena Pay Card
64
Funds control score
XPlace Card
67
Ethena Pay Card
86
Lowest fees score
XPlace Card
69
Ethena Pay Card
87
Transfers score
XPlace Card
62
Ethena Pay Card
82
02

Strengths & trade-offs

2 fields
Strengths
XPlace Card
Two distinct USDC spending modes, Tiered USDC cashback with published caps
Ethena Pay Card
Strong Standard cashback bands, No Standard monthly fee or FX markup
Trade-offs
XPlace Card
No live physical card or ATM access, Higher tiers cost more and FX has layers
Ethena Pay Card
Card access is still application-gated, One-day payment grace adds liquidation risk
03

Costs

7 fields
Plan cost
XPlace Card
$0
Ethena Pay Card
$0
FX fee
XPlace Card
0–1%
Ethena Pay Card
0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies
Top-up fee
XPlace Card
Provider fee not published; external network or bridge costs may apply and are not card fees
Ethena Pay Card
Provider collateral-funding fee unknown; external network gas is separate
Card spending fee
XPlace Card
0%
Ethena Pay Card
0%
ATM fee
XPlace Card
Not available
Ethena Pay Card
Not available
Virtual card
XPlace Card
Not disclosed
Ethena Pay Card
USD 0
Physical card
XPlace Card
Silver physical card: $99 with courier delivery included; estimated delivery 3-12 days. Other tier pricing remains unclear.
Ethena Pay Card
Not disclosed
04

Plans

2 fields
Available plans
XPlace Card
4 plans: Basic, Silver, Gold, Platinum
Ethena Pay Card
3 plans: Standard, Pro, VIP
Top cashback plan
XPlace Card
Platinum: 2%
Ethena Pay Card
VIP: 5%
05

Everyday use

8 fields
Network
XPlace Card
Visa
Ethena Pay Card
Visa
Card formats
XPlace Card
Virtual, Physical
Ethena Pay Card
Virtual
ATM withdrawals
XPlace Card
Not available
Ethena Pay Card
Not available
Mobile wallets
XPlace Card
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Ethena Pay Card
Apple Pay
Apps
XPlace Card
iOS, Android
Ethena Pay Card
iOS, Web
Daily spending limit
XPlace Card
No provider-set daily amount published; users can set their own daily, weekly and monthly controls
Ethena Pay Card
Dynamic, based on collateral market value
Monthly spending limit
XPlace Card
Basic $2,000; Silver $10,000; Gold $50,000; Platinum $750,000 per month
Ethena Pay Card
Dynamic, based on collateral market value
ATM limit
XPlace Card
Not available while only the virtual card is live
Ethena Pay Card
Not available
06

Funding & transfers

5 fields
Networks
XPlace Card
Solana
Ethena Pay Card
Ethereum, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum
Crypto deposits
XPlace Card
Stablecoins: USDC
Ethena Pay Card
Not disclosed
Fiat deposits
XPlace Card
Not disclosed
Ethena Pay Card
Not disclosed
Transfers
XPlace Card
Stablecoin transfers
Ethena Pay Card
Stablecoin transfers; Ethena Pay user transfer; Bank withdrawal
Payout currencies
XPlace Card
Not disclosed
Ethena Pay Card
Not disclosed
07

Rewards

3 fields
Base cashback
XPlace Card
0.5%
Ethena Pay Card
4%
Max cashback
XPlace Card
4%
Ethena Pay Card
5%
Reward currency
XPlace Card
USDC
Ethena Pay Card
AVAX
08

Earn

5 fields
Advertised APY
XPlace Card
Up to 6.15% APY
Ethena Pay Card
Up to 6% APY
How it works
XPlace Card
Borrow against collateral, Optional earn vault
Ethena Pay Card
Earn on spending balance
Separate deposit
XPlace Card
Yes
Ethena Pay Card
No
Use balance for spending
XPlace Card
No
Ethena Pay Card
Yes
Lock-up
XPlace Card
No
Ethena Pay Card
No
09

Trust & availability

5 fields
Custody
XPlace Card
Hybrid custody
Ethena Pay Card
Hybrid custody
Control until payment
XPlace Card
Provider controls funds
Ethena Pay Card
You keep control
Card issuer
XPlace Card
Third National
Ethena Pay Card
Third National
Card processing
XPlace Card
Signify Holdings, Inc. (Rain)
Ethena Pay Card
Signify Holdings, Inc. d/b/a Rain
Identity verification
XPlace Card
Sumsub
Ethena Pay Card
Sumsub
10

Sources

2 fields
Official sources
XPlace Card
26
Ethena Pay Card
12
Last reviewed
XPlace Card
Aug 27, 2026
Ethena Pay Card
Sep 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 68 for XPlace Card. Ethena Pay Card has the lower published FX fee (0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies vs 0–1%). Ethena Pay Card has the higher published base cashback rate (4% vs 0.5%).

XPlace Card can still be the more comfortable choice if its availability, card setup or way of holding funds suits you better. XPlace Card and Ethena Pay Card use the same hybrid custody setup.

Ethena Pay Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (4 vs 3). 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 XPlace Card and Ethena Pay Card reviews first.

05 · Common questions

XPlace vs Ethena Pay FAQ

Is XPlace or Ethena Pay better overall?

Ethena Pay Card has the higher Overall Score (86 vs 68). 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, XPlace or Ethena Pay?

Ethena Pay Card has the lower published FX fee (0% Ethena Pay markup; Visa rate applies vs 0–1%). Compare plan, FX, card-spend, top-up and ATM charges separately because one fee does not represent the full cost.

Which has better cashback, XPlace or Ethena Pay?

Ethena Pay Card has the higher published base cashback rate (4% vs 0.5%). Maximum rates may depend on tiers, caps, categories or other conditions, so the entry rate and reward asset matter too.

How do XPlace and Ethena Pay differ on custody?

XPlace Card and Ethena Pay Card use the same hybrid custody setup.

How current is this XPlace vs Ethena Pay comparison?

The latest information check for these two cards was September 1, 2026, using 38 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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