The recent launch of PayPal’s regulated stablecoin, PYUSD, marks a pivotal moment in the convergence of traditional finance and digital assets. Backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars, short-term Treasuries, and cash equivalents—and issued by Paxos Trust—PYUSD introduces a compliant, accessible bridge between fiat and crypto ecosystems. With support for peer-to-peer transfers, merchant payments, and future integration with Venmo’s $10B monthly transaction volume, PYUSD signals growing institutional adoption.
But beyond big-tech-backed entries like PYUSD, a new wave of crypto-native payment solutions is redefining how users interact with digital money. These projects focus on real-world usability, low fees, compliance, and seamless user experiences—bridging on-chain assets with off-chain economies.
Let’s explore five standout crypto payment products shaping the future of decentralized finance.
Beam: The Non-Custodial P2P Payment App
Beam is a self-custodial wallet designed to deliver a Web2-like experience with Web3 ownership. Built on the ERC-4337 account abstraction standard, Beam eliminates common crypto barriers such as wallet addresses, seed phrases, and gas fees. Users can sign in via Twitter and send stablecoins or ECO tokens instantly—without needing ETH for gas.
👉 Discover how frictionless crypto payments can be
Powered by Optimism and Base, Beam ensures near-zero transaction costs while maintaining full control over funds. Unlike custodial platforms, Beam gives users complete ownership—no bank or exchange can freeze or access their assets.
Originally developed by Eco—a crypto startup backed by a16z, Coinbase Ventures, and Pantera Capital with $95 million in funding—Beam aims to become the global version of Venmo, but fully decentralized. Its vision extends beyond P2P transfers to eventually rival Visa-scale payment networks.
With global availability from day one, Beam sidesteps the slow, country-by-country rollout typical of traditional financial apps. By leveraging blockchain infrastructure, it offers instant cross-border payments that traditional rails struggle to match.
Why It Matters:
- Non-custodial yet simple: Combines security with ease of use.
- Gasless transactions: Pay fees in USDC or other supported tokens.
- Account abstraction: Ideal for onboarding non-technical users.
Gnosis Pay & Gnosis Card: Spend Crypto Like Cash
Gnosis Pay offers a Visa-powered debit card directly linked to your self-custodied Safe wallet. This integration allows users to spend crypto at any merchant that accepts Visa—online or offline—while keeping full control of their assets.
Behind the scenes, Gnosis Pay uses Polygon zkEVM as its Layer 2 scaling solution. This enables fast, low-cost transactions (under $0.10 per tx) and supports complex compliance workflows without sacrificing decentralization.
When you make a purchase:
- Your selected stablecoin (e.g., USDC) is converted to EUR via Monerium’s regulated EURe stablecoin.
- EURe is burned, and fiat is sent through traditional rails to the merchant.
- The entire process takes 1–2 seconds, indistinguishable from using a regular credit card.
Monerium plays a crucial role here: as a licensed e-money institution (EMI), it issues EURe, a regulated euro-backed stablecoin usable across Ethereum, Polygon, and Gnosis Chain. More importantly, Monerium provides users with a Web3 IBAN, enabling SEPA transfers between banks and wallets.
This means:
- You can receive euros from your bank into your MetaMask or Safe wallet.
- You can spend those funds globally via the Gnosis Card.
To ensure regulatory compliance, Gnosis Pay partners with Fractal for KYC/AML checks. Fractal enables privacy-preserving identity verification using on-chain signatures, complying with GDPR’s “right to be forgotten” while allowing auditors to access necessary data when required.
Each user has two Safe accounts:
- L1 (Ethereum Mainnet): For secure savings.
- L2 (zkEVM): For daily spending, pre-screened for AML/CFT.
Funds move seamlessly between layers, combining security, scalability, and compliance.
Holyheld: Web3 Debit Card with IBAN Support
Holyheld is another emerging player offering a crypto debit card powered by Polygon zkEVM. It supports major stablecoins like USDC and integrates with popular non-custodial wallets including MetaMask, Argent, and Rainbow.
Key features:
- Virtual card available immediately after signup.
- Compatible with Google Pay (Apple Pay coming soon).
- No bridging or centralized custody required.
- Operates across Arbitrum, Gnosis Chain, Optimism, and Polygon.
Like Gnosis Pay, Holyheld provides users with an IBAN-linked account, allowing seamless euro deposits and withdrawals via SEPA. When fiat enters the system, equivalent stablecoins are minted on-chain; when spent, they’re burned and converted back to fiat.
Although Holyheld currently only offers virtual cards, physical cards are planned. The platform emphasizes global accessibility, aiming to serve users who want fast, compliant access to real-world crypto spending.
OneKey Card: Prepaid VISA for Everyday Crypto Spending
OneKey Card—launched by hardware wallet giant OneKey—lets users spend crypto on everyday purchases through a prepaid VISA virtual card. Users top up with USDT or USDC and use the card across global platforms like Amazon, eBay, Shopee, and even local services like Meituan.
Notable use cases:
- Online shopping: Works on major e-commerce sites.
- Software subscriptions: Pay for OpenAI API or ChatGPT Plus.
- Daily life expenses: Integrated with Alipay and WeChat Pay in China.
However, starting September 30, 2023, OneKey stopped accepting new applications from users in mainland China, Russia, Iran, and several other regions due to regulatory compliance requirements. Existing users remain unaffected.
Despite these restrictions, OneKey Card demonstrates how crypto can integrate into existing payment ecosystems, especially in regions where digital wallets dominate daily transactions.
Utopia Labs: USDC Payouts for Enterprises
While most solutions target consumers, Utopia Labs focuses on businesses. Formerly a DAO payroll platform, it now offers a USDC-to-bank-transfer service for companies operating in crypto.
Enterprises can:
- Send USDC from any wallet.
- Convert 1:1 to USD.
- Deposit directly into U.S. bank accounts via ACH.
- Pay service providers, contractors, or office leases in fiat—without using centralized exchanges.
Fees: Just 0.3% per transaction, with funds arriving within 3 business days.
Utopia also supports:
- KYB/KYC verification in under 48 hours.
- Multi-chain liquidity via 0x Protocol across 100+ DEXs.
- Vault management for Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) users.
Backed by Paradigm with a $23M Series A round, Utopia aims to expand beyond USDC and add fiat on-ramps in the future.
👉 See how enterprises are adopting crypto payments today
Common Trends Among Leading Crypto Payment Innovations
Despite different approaches, these platforms share key characteristics driving mainstream adoption:
1. Account Abstraction Enhances UX
ERC-4337 removes technical friction—no seed phrases, no gas tokens. Users interact naturally, just like in Web2 apps.
2. Low-Cost Transactions via L2s
zkEVMs and optimistic rollups drastically reduce fees while maintaining security. This makes microtransactions viable.
3. Non-Custodial ≠ Non-Compliant
Self-custody doesn’t mean lawless. Projects like Gnosis Pay integrate AML screening and GDPR-compliant KYC via Fractal—proving decentralization and regulation can coexist.
4. Composability Accelerates Development
These products aren’t built from scratch. They combine best-in-class protocols:
- Safe (account abstraction)
- Gelato (gasless execution)
- Polygon zkEVM (scaling)
- Monerium (regulated stablecoins + IBAN)
This “Lego-block” development model speeds innovation and reduces risk.
5. Integration with Traditional Finance
True mass adoption requires compatibility with Visa, Mastercard, SEPA, and ACH. These projects don’t replace legacy systems—they connect to them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are these crypto payment methods safe?
A: Yes—especially non-custodial options like Beam and Gnosis Pay. You retain full control of your funds, unlike custodial wallets where third parties hold your keys.
Q: Can I use these cards outside my country?
A: Most are globally usable. Cards like Gnosis Pay and Holyheld work anywhere Visa is accepted, making them ideal for international travelers or remote workers.
Q: Do I need cryptocurrency to start?
A: Some platforms allow direct fiat top-ups; others require initial crypto deposits. Check each provider’s onboarding flow.
Q: How fast are transactions?
A: Typically within seconds thanks to L2 networks like zkEVM. Bank settlements may take 1–3 business days depending on ACH/SEPA processing times.
Q: Are there monthly fees?
A: Most services have no monthly fees. Charges usually apply only for transactions or currency conversion.
Q: Will I remain compliant with tax laws?
A: Yes—reputable platforms generate transaction reports for tax tracking. Always consult a local advisor for jurisdiction-specific rules.
As blockchain infrastructure matures, we’re seeing a shift from speculative use cases to real utility—like buying coffee with crypto seamlessly. From P2P apps to enterprise payout systems, these innovations prove that crypto payments are no longer futuristic—they’re here.