What are the foreign transaction fees on the Kast card?

There is a 0% conversion fee on USD spending. For non-USD transactions, there is a 2% foreign exchange fee, which users consider competitive against similar services.

Can I receive international payments without directly using crypto?

Yes. Although the system runs on stablecoin rails, it functions as a regular multi-currency account. You can generate a payment link where clients pay in fiat like EUR or USD, and you receive it as stablecoin.

Is the money in a Kast account insured?

No. Kast does not offer FDIC deposit insurance, meaning your funds lack the protection found in traditional US bank accounts.

What are the main risks of using Kast?

Users have experienced sudden account bans and frozen funds with no clear explanation. Others have faced strict KYC verification blocks, requiring extensive documentation to access their money.

Kast Card International and Crypto Review

The Kast card provides a multi-currency account with a Visa card that works for both international transfers and crypto features. It gives users a virtual USD bank account with ACH and SWIFT capabilities to send and receive money globally, including a 0% conversion fee on USD spending and a 2% FX fee on non-USD transactions.

Users can receive payments in EUR or USD that instantly convert to stablecoin, meaning you do not have to handle crypto directly for everyday transactions. This makes it useful for freelancers and expats who need to move money across borders.

However, users report serious risks like account bans and frozen funds without clear explanation. The platform also lacks FDIC insurance and has strict KYC verification hurdles, which can lock non-U.S. residents out of their money indefinitely.

Kast Card International and Crypto Review — infographic

The Kast card can be used for both international transactions and crypto features, offering a multi-currency account with a Visa card. Users highlight its utility for expats due to its USD bank account number and ability to handle various international transfers, but some also report issues with account bans and frozen funds related to its crypto features.

International Transactions

USD bank account and global payments: The Kast card functions like a virtual USD bank account with ACH and SWIFT capabilities, allowing users to receive and send money internationally in various currencies. "Kast gives you a USD account and a payment card, allowing you to receive money in egypt, top-up your balance and pay interntionally with ease with Kast Visa card."

0% conversion on USD spend: It offers 0% conversion fees on USD spending and supports Apple Pay and Google Pay, working in over 160 countries. "0% conversion on USD spend - No spread, no markup. 2% FX fee on non-USD transactions (competitive with Wise/Revolut)"

Competitive FX fees: While there is a 2% FX fee on non-USD transactions, this is considered competitive with other services like Wise or Revolut, and the company is reportedly working to reduce this. "the FX on card spend is 2% yeah..Is what it is, currently you get 4% in cashback instantly in a token that you can sell immediately."

Crypto Features

Stablecoin rails: Kast operates on stablecoin rails, but for practical purposes, it can function as a multi-currency account, allowing users to interact with crypto without directly handling it for every transaction. "The key point: you don't need to touch crypto. Kast runs on stablecoin rails, but for practical purposes it functions like a USD multi-currency account with a Visa card attached."

Receive crypto or USD as stablecoin: Freelancers can generate a payment link to receive payments in EUR or USD, which are instantly converted to stablecoin. "If you're a freelancer and want to receive crypto or USD, you can simply generate a Kast payment link, your client/sender can pay in EUR or USD, and you'll receive the funds instantly as stablecoin."

Risks and Downsides

Account bans and frozen funds: Some Users have reported experiencing account bans and frozen funds without clear explanations, leading to significant financial loss and difficulty recovering funds. "It’s not safe they are a in tech. They can freeze your money whenever they want and they can also block you from using your funds so do not rely on them like a bank."

KYC issues: Users have faced challenges with Kast's Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process, especially those living abroad or not being U.S. residents, leading to funds being held until extensive documentation is provided. "I live abroad and am not a U.S. resident. I have submitted multiple documents to verify my account, including my bank statements, crypto wallet information, and a sales document for a car I sold. However, KAST has not accepted any of these documents."

No deposit insurance: Kast does not offer FDIC insurance, which is a significant concern for some users, as it means funds are not protected in the same way as traditional bank accounts. "No deposit insurance. That’s a deal breaker, why is it not FDIC insured if it’s a US bank account?"

Does the potential for account issues outweigh the benefits of Kast's international and crypto features for your needs?

Best for: Expats and freelancers who need to receive international payments and want easy stablecoin conversion, provided they can tolerate the risk of frozen funds.