Why the same card doesn't exist in every country

The real reasons availability differs

• Licensing: issuing a card that holds customer balances usually requires an e-money or banking licence per jurisdiction (e.g. an EU e-money licence passports across the EEA but stops at the EU border; the UK now needs its own FCA authorisation).
• Sanctions & embargoes: OFAC/EU/UN sanctions make some countries un-serviceable regardless of demand.
• Card network rules: Visa and Mastercard approve crypto-linked card programs country by country through a licensed BIN sponsor bank.
• KYC regimes: identity-verification requirements differ (accepted ID documents, proof-of-address norms), so onboarding flows must be rebuilt per market.
• Local crypto law: some countries ban or restrict crypto-to-fiat conversion outright, killing the funding leg of the card.
• Tax reporting: every card spend from crypto can be a taxable disposal in many countries — issuers weigh the reporting burden before launching.

Before you sign up — a 6-point checklist

1. Is the issuer licensed or registered in your country (not just "global")? Look for the regulator's register entry.
2. Who is the BIN sponsor bank behind the card, and is your money safeguarded or insured?
3. What are the real fees: FX spread, crypto conversion spread, top-up, ATM, inactivity?
4. Does spending trigger a taxable event where you live? (In many jurisdictions, yes — each swipe sells crypto.)
5. Can you withdraw/off-ramp if the product exits your market? Read the wind-down terms.
6. Is availability info current? Country lists change; a geo-filter tool that checks your location beats a stale marketing page.