KuCoin’s KuCard and Tangem AG collaborate with Visa to introduce cutting-edge advancements in crypto payment solutions, offering enhanced financial management and secure self-custodial payment options. Aptos Labs also launches a keyless wallet using zero-knowledge proofs for seamless Web3 onboarding, reflecting the industry’s drive towards blending traditional finance with digital assets.
KuCard and Tangem Partner with Visa to Innovate in Crypto Payment Solutions
Victoria, Seychelles, and Zurich, Switzerland, July 5, 2024 – KuCoin’s Visa debit card, KuCard, and Tangem AG, a secure hardware wallet provider, have both announced significant advancements in their crypto payment solutions in partnership with Visa on July 1, 2024.
KuCard Enhancements
Starting July 1, 2024, KuCard users can now manage multiple virtual and physical cards, offering enhanced financial flexibility and convenience. This update allows users to benefit from seamless budgeting, improved expense tracking, and easier access to funds with KuCard’s crypto-to-fiat conversion and generous cashback rewards.
To mark this update, KuCard is running a promotional campaign until July 7, 2024. Users can apply for a second virtual card for free or a second physical card for EUR 9.99 on a first-come, first-served basis. KuCard, launched in November 2023, supports integration with Google Pay and Apple Pay for transactions in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Tangem’s Self-Custodial Payment Solution
Tangem AG has partnered with Visa to introduce a self-custodial payment solution through a combined Visa payment card and hardware wallet. This technology enables users to make payments using their crypto or stablecoin balances at any Visa-accepting merchant. Tangem’s card, embedding a private key within the chip, ensures exclusive control over user assets during transactions, available across Europe.
Andrey Kurennykh, CEO of Tangem, highlighted the integration as a step towards combining traditional banking convenience with cryptocurrency capabilities. Tangem, founded in 2017, provides secure storage for over 6,000 digital assets with its card-shaped cold wallet, expanding its reach to 160+ countries.
Aptos Connect Launches Keyless Wallet
July 3, 2024 – Aptos Labs has introduced Aptos Connect, a keyless wallet using zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-proofs) for user identity verification. This innovation aims to simplify Web3 onboarding by allowing account creation with Google login credentials, eliminating the need for private keys and seed phrases.
Aptos Connect uses OpenID Connect standard combined with ZK-proofs, maintaining user privacy and linking social logins to blockchain accounts without revealing identities. The wallet supports transaction authorization via Google logins, with Apple ID integration expected soon. It offers cross-platform compatibility without requiring special apps, focusing on a seamless user experience.
While convenient, the wallet’s reliance on the security of Google accounts carries potential risks, emphasizing the importance of enabling two-factor authentication for users. Aptos Connect represents a significant move towards user-friendly access in the evolving Web3 ecosystem.
These developments underline ongoing efforts to bridge traditional financial systems with digital assets, enhancing convenience, security, and user control.
