Wirex is facilitating the eventual launch of the Chimera Card, a Bitcoin-funded debit card that will allow spending money easily in over 80 million outlets across the globe. Developed by Chimera Wallet and powered through the Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform of Wirex, the card enables the user to directly fund transactions at the expense of their own wallet and still maintain a self-custodial environment.
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The rate of adoption of Bitcoin has increased quite faster in the last decade but the challenge has been the regular use of Bitcoin as a payment method. Attempting to use Bitcoin inevitably presents a convenience versus control trade-off to users, between reliance on custodial intermediaries or workarounds that effectively dilute the promise of the core concept of Bitcoin as self-sovereign. The recent collaboration between Wirex and Chimera Wallet will alter that.
A Card Built Around Self-Custody
The Chimera Card is centred on a wallet-first design. The card is funded by the user through Bitcoin or the Lightning Network and customers retain onchain balances and private keys. In contrast to conventional crypto cards where users have to deposit funds with an issuer, Chimera design helps lower the commingling risk and provides more security in case an issuer becomes insolvent.
Bitcoin is converted to fiat upon payment in the market rates, and the price is transparent to anyone. It will feel just like a regular debit card purchase, yet the actual process will retain the self-custodial ethos of Bitcoin.
Global Acceptance With Everyday Utility
The Chimera Card is intended to be used in the real world on a large scale. It can be applied everywhere where debit or credit cards are accepted, which gives users the opportunity to develop a global coverage without losing control over finances. Apple Pay and Google Pay support allow contactless transactions, whereas foreign exchange rates and ATM machines make the card useful in spending abroad.
Virtual and physical cards will be offered, which will offer the flexibility in both online and in-store payments.
Wirex’s Role as the Infrastructure Layer
Whereas Chimera puts its emphasis on the end-user experience, Wirex offers the infrastructure that can facilitate the card programme to run worldwide. Wirex eliminates the concept of Chimera dealing with various issuing banks, payment networks and regulatory integrations through its BaaS platform.
This is an efficiency-scale single-integration model that enables Chimera to be able to operate efficiently in numerous jurisdictions and still remain in compliance. Behind the scenes, Wirex manages the infrastructure, issuing cards, connection in fiat, and real-time balance management.
What Wirex BaaS Brings to the Programme
Using Wirex BaaS, Chimera will have access to non-custodial issuance of both virtual and physical cards, as well as EUR and USD IBAN account. These networks contribute to SEPA Instant and Faster Payments, which allows facilitating the flow of fiat in over 30 countries.
It also allows real-time balance management and point of sale conversion without being required to prefund. Moreover, Enterprise-level compliance and risk management deliver access to DeFi yield infrastructure via Wirex.
Pre-Orders Now Open
The Chimera Card is pre-emptively going on sale temporarily. Customers who make early payments are offered permanent transaction fee of 1.5 percent versus standard 2 percent rate as well as zero monthly and top up charges throughout their lives.
Virtual, as well as physical cards will be available by the end of Q1 2026 and this is a big step in making self-custodial Bitcoin spending practical on the global level.
