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Published by the SpendCrypto editorial team · Editorial team & methodology

Head-to-head comparison

MetaMask Card vs. ether.fi Cash

Self-custody at checkout: spend wallet tokens or use crypto as collateral. Compare payment modes, fees and rewards.

Reviewed October 15, 2026 • SpendCrypto editorial team

SpendCrypto verdict

MetaMask suits direct spending from supported wallet balances. ether.fi suits people who want Direct Pay plus optional collateral-backed borrowing and can manage its interest and liquidation risk. Neither is a universal winner on cost.

Features, costs and conditions

FeatureMetaMask Cardether.fi CashWhat matters
Network and formatsMastercard; Virtual for new applicants; Metal for existing holdersVisa; virtual and physicalAvailability depends on region and tier [13][14] [17]
Spending modelConverts enabled wallet tokens at paymentDirect Pay spends eligible balances; Borrow opens debtSpending a balance is different from pledging collateral [4][13]
Supported networksLinea, Base, Solana and Monad; token and regional restrictionsCurrent lending market on Optimism; check your account networkMatch token, network and payment mode [1][5]
Annual / card costVirtual $0/year; Metal $199/yearCore physical card listed free, with shipping; regional issuance charges may applyCheck your tier and delivery quote [2][7][14]
Base cashbackVirtual: 1% mUSD. Metal: 3% on first $10,000/year, then 1%Core standard spend: 3% on first $2,000/month, 1% next $1,000, then 0.5%; ETHFIEUR has lower thresholds; eligible transactions only [3][6]
Borrowing costCard payments spend your enabled balanceVariable interest starts immediately; no grace periodYield and rewards do not guarantee that borrowing pays for itself [9][10]
Cash withdrawalsATM access is currently limited to US cardholders. Free tier 2%; Metal first $1,200/month free, then 2%; operator fees may applyUp to $1,000/transaction, 5 withdrawals and $5,000 in rolling 24 hoursLimits are not fee waivers; check your tier [2][12] [18]

Personal cards. Conditions apply to the specific token, region and membership tier.

1. Wallet spending and collateral serve different needs

MetaMask Card connects supported wallet balances to Mastercard payments. Its current FAQ lists Linea, Base, Solana and Monad, with token and regional restrictions. ether.fi combines Direct Pay with optional collateral-backed credit. The current lending guide specifies Optimism. Confirm the network and enabled tokens in your account before transferring funds. [1] [4] [5] [13]

2. Self-custody does not mean identical control

MetaMask uses wallet authorization and spending permissions. ether.fi describes a Safe smart account with a Turnkey signer: authentication authorizes transactions, while direct key export is not yet available in the reviewed guide. Both models still involve card issuers, smart contracts and operational dependencies. Non-custodial does not mean anonymous, permissionless card issuance or risk-free funds. [8] [13] [15]

3. Compare fees before comparing rewards

MetaMask's fee schedule lists a 1% cross-border charge for the free tier and a Metal waiver subject to fair usage. Certain non-local stablecoin payments incur 0.5%, with an Argentina exception; other crypto such as wETH incurs 0.875%. DeFi/yield tokens are free up to $1,200/month, then 0.5%; network gas is variable. Charges depend on token and transaction scope. ether.fi documents zero FX markup on EUR purchases as a beta feature. Its current membership table lists a free Core physical card plus shipping; regional issuance fees and additional-card charges depend on the program. Check the price shown when ordering. [2] [7] [11] [13] [14]

4. Cashback: mUSD vs. ETHFI

MetaMask pays eligible cashback in mUSD, with the Metal annual spending cap shown above. ether.fi converts cleared cashback into ETHFI, locks it for seven days, then requires a claim. Core EUR bands are 3% on the first $800 equivalent, 1% through $1,500 and 0.1% thereafter. EUR and other spending share one monthly counter, not separate allowances. ETHFI's market price can change. ATM withdrawals and cash-equivalent transactions do not qualify for ether.fi cashback. Metal conditions apply to existing holders; new Metal orders are paused. [3] [6] [17]

5. Borrowing against liquid staking is still borrowing

ether.fi can accept eligible assets such as weETH and Liquid vault tokens as collateral. Collateral is not the same as the balance directly debited for a purchase. Borrow interest begins immediately and varies with lending conditions. A fall in collateral value or accrued debt can trigger liquidation. Check current borrowing power and health factor; product LTV is not the liquidation threshold. Direct Pay avoids opening card debt, although other DeFi positions may still carry risk. [4] [5] [9] [10] [15]

6. Eligibility and practical choice

Check your residence, issuer program, identity verification and physical delivery options before moving funds. Worldwide merchant acceptance does not establish eligibility to apply. Compare a supported token, actual purchase currency and your specific tier. The editorial comparison below focuses on personal cards; corporate terms and promotional rates should not be substituted. New Metal orders are paused; existing holders can continue using their cards. US sign-ups are currently unavailable. Apply for Virtual only in an eligible region. [1] [14] [16] [17]

Frequently asked questions

Is MetaMask Card only on Linea?

No. Its current FAQ also lists Base, Solana and Monad, with token and regional restrictions. Check the enabled network before funding.

How does ether.fi Cash use collateral?

Borrow finances purchases against eligible account assets; Direct Pay spends eligible balances. Current lending documentation specifies Optimism. Check the market and health factor in your account.

Which card is cheaper?

There is no universal answer. Compare tier costs, token conversion, purchase currency and any borrowing interest. Headline cashback alone cannot determine total cost.

Does self-custody remove liquidation risk?

No. An ether.fi Borrow position can be liquidated even though the account is described as non-custodial. Direct spending and collateral-backed debt have different risks.

Official sources

Accessed October 15, 2026. Check the conditions shown for your account before applying.

  1. [1] MetaMask — supported tokens and networks
  2. [2] MetaMask — limits and fees
  3. [3] MetaMask — cashback conditions
  4. [4] ether.fi — Direct Pay and Borrow
  5. [5] ether.fi — collateral and current vs legacy markets
  6. [6] ether.fi — cashback and monthly bands
  7. [7] ether.fi — membership benefits
  8. [8] ether.fi — Vault ownership and key export
  9. [9] ether.fi — variable interest and liquidation
  10. [10] ether.fi — interest starts immediately
  11. [11] ether.fi — EUR foreign exchange
  12. [12] ether.fi — ATM limits
  13. [13] MetaMask — wallet security and card overview
  14. [14] ether.fi — personal Visa card and regional exceptions
  15. [15] ether.fi — collateral ownership and eligible assets
  16. [16] MetaMask — applications and eligible countries
  17. [17] MetaMask — existing Metal cardholders
  18. [18] MetaMask — regional ATM access

Which fits your use?

Consider MetaMask Card

  • ✓ Already use MetaMask and want to spend supported wallet tokens.
  • ✓ Prefer a free virtual tier and mUSD rewards.
  • ✓ Want purchases funded from balances without opening collateral-backed card debt.

Consider ether.fi Cash

  • ✓ Want Direct Pay and the option to borrow against eligible assets.
  • ✓ Understand variable interest, health factors and liquidation.
  • ✓ Accept ETHFI reward volatility, claiming rules and monthly bands.
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