Phantom launches on-chain debit card to U.S. users — virtual card works with Apple Pay and Google Pay Phantom Wallet has begun rolling out Phantom Cash, a prepaid Visa debit card that lets U.S. users spend an on-chain stablecoin balance directly via Apple Pay and Google Pay. The company confirmed the phased rollout on Dec. 15 via X, saying early access is being granted through its waitlist and will expand throughout the week. International availability is planned for a later date. How it works - The card draws from a Phantom Cash balance backed by CASH, a U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin on Solana. - At checkout, Phantom converts the on-chain stablecoin into dollars at the point of sale — so users don’t need to manually sell crypto or preload a separate fiat balance. - Users receive a virtual card at launch that can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay; physical cards are expected in a future stage. Requirements and partners - Access requires identity verification (KYC). Completing KYC also unlocks other Phantom Cash features such as direct bank transfers and seamless on- and off-ramps. - Phantom is careful to note it is not a bank. The prepaid Visa is issued by Lead Bank and managed by Bridge Ventures. Fees may apply depending on usage. Product strategy and context The debit card is part of Phantom’s broader push to evolve from a pure wallet into a lightweight money app. This year the team introduced a dedicated Cash tab for gasless peer-to-peer transfers and instant stablecoin conversions tied to Phantom usernames, and has been layering prediction markets, stablecoin payments, and yield products into the app. Phantom now claims more than 15 million monthly active users across Solana, Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Sui. That scale places the company squarely in a competitive market where other wallets and exchanges already offer crypto-linked cards — but Phantom’s selling point is keeping funds on-chain until the moment of purchase. Rollout and outlook For now, access is limited to U.S. waitlist users. Phantom has urged patience as the phased release continues. If adoption grows, Phantom Cash could become one of the wallet’s highest-visibility features and a real-world test of consumer comfort with spending stablecoins in everyday payments. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

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