Can You Convert a Crypto Card to Metal?
Any crypto card with a standard EMV chip qualifies for a full stainless steel or brass rebuild. The chip, the account, and every function carry over untouched. Only the material changes. Whether you carry a Crypto debit card, a Coinbase card, or another exchange-issued plastic, a patented process re-engineers your existing card into metal. You keep what you already use and upgrade what it feels like, what it weighs, and what it says about you at checkout.
Why a Crypto Card Qualifies for Metal Conversion
Crypto cards run on the same chip technology as traditional bank cards, making them fully compatible.
The Chip Is What Matters
Every crypto debit or prepaid card built on Visa or Mastercard carries a standard EMV chip. The conversion transfers that chip and magnetic stripe data from your plastic into a metal body, 0.8mm thick and 85.60 x 53.98mm. The chip does not change. The account does not change.
Where Exchange Metal Falls Short
If you have searched for the best crypto card with a premium build, you have seen exchange tiers that gate a "metal" card behind staking. Most use metal-veneer construction, a metal front bonded to a polymer back, around 16 grams. A full stainless steel conversion delivers a solid 28-gram card with no composite. Real weight. Real presence.
Who Benefits Most
Crypto holders who upgrade everything already know plastic does not deliver. Collectors, early adopters, and entrepreneurs notice the 28-gram difference at the first swipe. Fintech brands running a branded card program can offer full metal as a premium-tier perk.
How the Conversion Works
The process applies to crypto cards the same way it applies to any EMV card.
From Plastic to Metal in Five Steps
Your card goes through a precise, patent-protected sequence. Domestic turnaround is 5 to 7 business days; international is 10 to 14.
- Order your design - Choose laser engraving or UV color printing.
- Ship your card - A prepaid label and tracking are included.
- EMV chip and stripe transfer - Your chip moves into the new metal body (U.S. Patent No. 11,562,194).
- Approve the emailed mockup - It arrives while your card is in transit.
- Receive both cards back - Your original (swipe-only) and your new custom metal card.
What Changes and What Stays
Your card number, chip, and account stay identical. Chip insert and magnetic swipe work at any exposed-card reader. The difference is the material, the weight (28 grams vs. roughly 6 grams for plastic), and the finish you choose.
Exchange-Tier Metal vs. Full Metal Conversion
How a typical exchange-tier crypto card stacks up against full stainless steel.
| Feature | Exchange-Tier Card | Full Metal Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Metal front, polymer back | 100% stainless steel or brass |
| Weight | ~16g | 28g |
| Customization | Exchange branding only | Laser engraving, UV color, or custom design |
| Qualification | Staking or subscription | Any EMV card, no staking needed |
| Tap to Pay | Often on card | Not on card (use Apple Pay, Google Pay) |
Tap to Pay and Reader Compatibility
The metal card itself does not support Tap to Pay, but you can still tap via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. For in-store purchases, use chip insert or swipe at any exposed-card reader. Avoid ATMs and terminals that pull the card fully inside, as the rigid body may not eject smoothly.
Security and Data
Lion Card does not store, share, or sell card information, and all data is permanently deleted after the transfer. SSL encryption protects checkout. Lion Card never asks for a PIN, SSN, banking password, or passcode.
The Bottom Line
Any crypto card with a standard EMV chip can become a full metal card. No staking tier, no subscription, no new account. Same chip, same number, rebuilt in stainless steel or brass at 28 grams. If your portfolio deserves a card that matches it, check if your crypto card can be converted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a metal crypto card?
Yes. Any crypto debit or prepaid card with a standard EMV chip can be converted into full stainless steel or brass. The patented process transfers your chip and magnetic stripe into a custom metal body. Your card number and account stay identical.
Does Crypto.com offer a metal card?
Crypto.com provides metal-tier cards at higher staking levels, but these are metal-veneer construction weighing around 16 grams. A full metal conversion produces a solid 28-gram stainless steel card with no composite. Both function at checkout, but the materials and weight differ noticeably.
Can I convert my crypto debit card to metal?
Yes, as long as your crypto debit card has a standard EMV chip, it qualifies for conversion. Cards from crypto exchanges use the same chip technology as traditional bank cards. No new account or issuer approval is needed.
How much does a metal crypto card weigh?
A full stainless steel conversion weighs 28 grams, roughly 4.5 times heavier than a standard plastic card at about 6 grams. Exchange-issued metal-tier cards sit around 16 grams due to composite construction. The difference is obvious the moment you pick one up.
Are metal crypto cards safe to use?
A converted metal card is as safe as the original because the chip and stripe data are identical. Card information is not stored, shared, or sold, and all data is permanently deleted after the transfer. No PINs, passwords, or sensitive credentials are requested at any point.
Do metal crypto cards work in every machine?
Metal cards work at any chip-insert or swipe terminal with an exposed card slot. The rigid body is not recommended for ATMs or readers that pull the card fully inside. For those terminals, adding your card to Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay works seamlessly.
