Tangem Pay : Spend Crypto with USDC & Virtual Visa Card

Tangem Pay is here — bringing real-world crypto spending to New Zealand.

Tangem Pay introduces a non-custodial payment account within the Tangem Wallet app. Users can top up with USDC on the Polygon network and spend instantly with a virtual Visa card. It combines the convenience of everyday payments with the security of self-custody crypto.

The gradual rollout begins later this month, and New Zealand users can join the early-access waitlist to try Tangem Pay first.

How Tangem Pay Works in New Zealand

Stablecoins have become a cornerstone of practical crypto use, with total market value exceeding $300B. Tangem Pay is built for users who want to spend digital assets without leaving the blockchain.

Tangem Pay combines:

Full self-custody of funds
On-chain settlement in USDC (Polygon)
Visa-powered real-world usability
Regulatory compliance while preserving privacy

Funds stay fully on-chain

Tangem Pay uses a dual-key model:

One key held by you
One key held by Rain, the independent issuing partner

Rain can only approve payments you’ve authorized. Freezing the card does not give access to your funds — they remain completely yours.

1:1 USDC → USD Conversion

Payments are settled using your USDC balance. When making a purchase:

USDC is deducted automatically
Visa settles in USD
Your balance stays on-chain and non-custodial

Separate from Tangem Wallet Holdings

The Tangem Wallet provides hardware-grade security (Common Criteria EAL6+). Tangem Pay keeps spending balances separate from your cold-storage holdings, ensuring full protection.

Privacy-First Compliance

KYC is required only for Tangem Pay, not your Tangem Wallet. Personal data is handled solely by regulated partners. Tangem itself never stores or accesses your identity.

No Monthly or Transaction Fees

Tangem Pay has no fees, except:

Polygon gas for top-ups
Visa FX charges for non-USD purchases

Support for additional stablecoins and networks is planned in future updates.

Availability in New Zealand & Beyond

The rollout begins in late November 2025 across:

United States
Latin America
Asia-Pacific, including New Zealand

Join the waitlist in the Tangem app to be notified as soon as Tangem Pay is available locally.
The EU and UK launch is expected early 2026, aligned with MiCA compliance.

FAQs: Tangem Pay Essentials

1. What is Tangem Pay?

Tangem Pay is a self-custodial, on-chain spending account inside the Tangem Wallet app. Fund with USDC (Polygon) and pay anywhere Visa is accepted, online or in-store.

2. How is it different from Tangem Wallet?

Tangem Wallet: Secure, anonymous hardware wallet
Tangem Pay: Optional regulated product for spending, with KYC

Card Features & Usage

Virtual Card: Only a virtual Visa card at launch; physical cards coming soon.
Acceptance: Anywhere Visa is accepted, including Apple Pay & Google Pay.
Currency: USD (Visa FX fees may apply for NZD purchases).

No manual conversion is needed — USDC is automatically deducted and converted 1:1 to USD when paying. Currently, only USDC on Polygon is supported; other stablecoins and networks will be added later.

Sign-Up & Requirements

How to sign up: Install the app, complete KYC, and your virtual Visa card is instantly active.

Requirements:

Tangem Wallet
iOS/Android smartphone
Valid government ID
Residency in a supported country
USDC (Polygon) balance

Availability: New Zealand users can join the APAC waitlist to access Tangem Pay first.

Funding, Spending & Withdrawals

Fees: No monthly fee, no transaction fee. Only Polygon gas and Visa FX fees apply.

Add funds: Tap “Add Funds” and send USDC from your Tangem Wallet or external wallet.

Withdraw: Unused USDC can be returned to your Tangem Wallet anytime.

Limitations:

No ATM withdrawals yet
Only USDC (Polygon) accepted
Other tokens/chains will be supported in the future

Payment process: USDC is deducted from your smart contract account, Visa settles in USD, and declined or reversed transactions follow Visa’s standard timelines. Your funds always remain on-chain and secure.

Partners & Roadmap

Tangem Pay is powered by:

Paera LLC – U.S.-based payment infrastructure
Third National – Licensed Visa card issuer
Rain – Card program management

Other trusted partners include Sumsub (ID verification) and Elliptic (transaction monitoring).

Future Features: Rewards, stablecoin yield, and referral programs will be added in upcoming updates.

Explore Related Tech & Crypto Solutions in New Zealand

While Tangem Pay is the fastest way to spend crypto, you might also want to explore related digital tech solutions from trusted providers in NZ:

Annke NZ — Security & smart home tech
Mowrator NZ — Innovative electronics solutions
MrTech NZ — Consumer electronics & accessories

Conclusion

Tangem Pay bridges crypto with everyday payments in New Zealand — giving you full control of your funds while enabling real-world spending. Top up with USDC (Polygon), use your virtual Visa card, and enjoy a self-custodial, fee-free, on-chain payment solution.