How To Pay With Crypto in Europe

Cryptoassets are widely used for holding and transferring value, but their role in everyday payments remains comparatively limited. In Europe, factors such as merchant acceptance, conversion processes, and cost transparency have historically made routine crypto spending less straightforward than traditional card-based payments.

Direct on-chain payments are accepted by a relatively small number of merchants and may involve variable confirmation times, network fees, and exposure to price volatility at the point of sale. Alternative approaches, such as payment service providers that convert crypto to fiat at checkout, offer broader acceptance but often vary in user experience and pricing clarity. In many cases, users must pre-convert assets, manage separate balances, or switch between multiple applications, adding operational friction to otherwise simple transactions. As a result, crypto spending in Europe has tended to remain situational rather than habitual.

Card-based solutions currently represent the most practical model for everyday crypto spending. By integrating crypto-backed funding with established card networks, these solutions enable payments at merchants that already accept card transactions, both online and in-store. This approach reduces the need for active conversion management and aligns more closely with existing consumer behaviour, merchant expectations, and regulatory frameworks across Europe.

Once activated in the OKX App, the card can be used for everyday spending with minimal setup. Supported stablecoins, including USDC and USDG, are held in the user’s OKX Pay account. The card can also be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay, where supported. There is no requirement for manual asset conversion or advance top-ups. Where conversion is required for settlement, it is executed automatically at the point of transaction.

Regulatory and tax treatment of crypto transactions varies across European jurisdictions. In some countries, spending crypto may be treated as a taxable disposal, even when executed through a card transaction. Users should review applicable local tax guidance to understand their reporting and tax obligations.The OKX Card is issued and operated in compliance with applicable European regulatory requirements. OKX is licensed under MiCA, and Mastercard is the payment network. While the card itself is not a MiCA-licensed product, it is designed to meet Europe’s regulatory and operational standards for card payments and is available across the EEA where supported. Refunds and chargebacks follow standard Mastercard processes. In most cases, these function similarly to traditional card payments, although settlement timing and refund mechanics may differ slightly due to crypto-to-fiat conversion at the time of purchase.

Paying with crypto in Europe no longer requires specialised workflows or limited merchant acceptance. Card-based solutions offer a pragmatic approach by combining familiar payment infrastructure with crypto-backed funding.The OKX Card is designed to support this model by enabling stablecoin spending through the Mastercard network, with automated conversion and transparent cost structures. The card connects to a smart wallet, allowing users to retain control of their crypto until the moment of payment rather than transferring custody in advance. When used with an understanding of conversion mechanics and regulatory considerations, crypto-based payments can integrate into everyday financial activity in a predictable and familiar way.