Ready

Ready is a self-custody crypto wallet and Mastercard debit card that enables users to spend, earn, and invest in cryptocurrency while maintaining full control of their assets. Formerly known as Argent, the platform rebranded in 2025 to expand its mission as "the onchain alternative to a bank." Built on Starknet (Ethereum Layer 2), Ready has achieved over 2 million downloads and is backed by leading investors including Paradigm, Index Ventures, and Creandum.

Unlike custodial crypto cards that require depositing funds with a third party, Ready allows users to keep their crypto in a self-custody wallet until the moment of spending. The platform offers up to 10% cashback paid in STRK tokens, yield opportunities on Bitcoin (6%) and USDC (6%), and the ability to borrow against BTC holdings at approximately 1.6% interest.

Company Overview

Ready (Argent) was founded in 2017 by Itamar Lesuisse (CEO), Julien Niset, and Gerald Goldstein. The company is headquartered in London, UK, with a remote-first team across Europe. Argent raised $56 million in total funding, including a $12 million Series A led by Paradigm in 2020.

Key Investors:

• Paradigm
• Index Ventures
• Creandum
• Firstminute Capital
• Metaplanet

The company's smart contract infrastructure is trusted by major exchanges including Binance, Kraken, and OKX to secure millions in crypto assets. Ready operates on Starknet, an Ethereum Layer 2 using zero-knowledge STARK proofs for scalability and security.

Products & Services

Self-Custody Mastercard

Ready offers two card tiers, both linked directly to users' self-custody wallets. Assets remain under user control until conversion at the point of purchase.

Card Options:

Card Type	Price	Cashback	Free ATM
Ready Metal (Gold/Platinum)	$120/year	Up to 10% in STRK	$800/month
Ready Lite (Orange Plastic)	$6.99 shipping	0.5% in STRK	$200/month

Key Features:

• Spend USDC anywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Zero foreign exchange fees
• Zero conversion fees (1 USDC = $1)
• Zero top-up fees
• Google Pay support (Apple Pay coming soon)
• Freeze/unfreeze card instantly in-app
• On-chain transaction protection

Cashback Program

Ready Metal offers one of the highest cashback rates in the crypto card market, funded by the Starknet Foundation:

Period	Cashback Rate	Spending Cap
First 30 days	10% in STRK	$1,500
After 30 days	3% in STRK	$5,000/month

• Maximum monthly rewards: $150 in STRK
• Maximum annual rewards: $1,800 in STRK
• Cashback distributed by the 15th of each month
• Ready Lite users earn 0.5% cashback on all purchases

Yield & DeFi Features

Ready integrates earning opportunities directly within the app:

Yield Rates:

• Bitcoin (WBTC): Up to 6% APY
• Ethereum (ETH): Up to 4% APY
• USDC: Up to 6% APY

BTC Borrowing:

• Borrow USDC against Bitcoin at ~1.6% interest
• No paperwork or middlemen
• No hidden fees
• Instant access to funds

Bank Deposits & IBAN

Ready enables traditional banking integration:

• Add money via bank transfer (SEPA)
• Automatic conversion to USDC
• Support for EUR, GBP, MXN, BRL, and AED
• Available in 150+ countries
• Personal IBAN coming soon

Ready Wallet

A separate browser extension wallet for advanced DeFi users:

• Desktop support (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave)
• Native Starknet integration
• Hardware Signer 2FA
• Multi-signer 3FA capabilities

Fees & Pricing

Card Fees

Fee Type	Ready Metal	Ready Lite
Annual/Issuance Fee	$120/year	$6.99 (one-time shipping)
Monthly Fee	$0	$0
Foreign Exchange	0%	0%
Conversion Fee	0%	0%
Top-up Fee	0%	0%
ATM (within free limit)	$0	$0
ATM (over limit)	2%	2%

Transaction Fees

Fee Type	Amount
Card Payment (Mastercard rate)	0% markup
Crypto-to-Fiat Conversion	0%
Gas Fees	Subsidized by Ready

Limits

Limit Type	Amount
Single Transaction	$5,000
Daily Spending	$10,000
Monthly Spending	$30,000
ATM Free (Metal)	$800/month
ATM Free (Lite)	$200/month

Higher limits available upon request through support.

Supported Assets & Networks

Primary Network:

• Starknet (Ethereum Layer 2)

Supported Cryptocurrencies:

• USDC (spending currency)
• Bitcoin (WBTC)
• Ethereum (ETH)
• STRK (Starknet native token)
• USDT, DAI, EKUBO, and more

Funding Methods:

• Bank transfer (SEPA/local rails)
• Direct crypto purchase via Ramp or Banxa
• Bridge from exchanges/wallets via LayerSwap
• Transfer from other Starknet wallets

Geographic Availability

Currently Available:

• United Kingdom
• European Economic Area (EEA) countries

Planned Expansion:

• Additional countries in 2025 and beyond

Not Available:

• United States
• Sanctioned countries

Security & Compliance

Self-Custody Model:

• Users control private keys
• Assets remain in wallet until transaction
• Session key technology for card payments (revocable anytime)

Security Features:

• Pioneering self-custody since 2017
• Smart contracts trusted by Binance, Kraken, OKX
• Biometric authentication (Face ID/passcode)
• Instant card freeze in-app
• Real-time fraud detection
• 24/7 human customer support

Regulatory:

• Card services via Kulipa (regulated card issuer)
• KYC/ID verification required

Target Users

Ideal For:

• Crypto holders seeking high cashback without staking requirements
• Bitcoin holders wanting to earn yield or borrow against holdings
• DeFi enthusiasts on Starknet ecosystem
• Privacy-conscious users preferring self-custody
• Frequent travelers benefiting from zero FX fees
• European users seeking an alternative to traditional banking

Not Suitable For:

• Users outside UK/EEA (currently)
• Those needing multi-currency crypto support (USDC only for spending)
• Users requiring Apple Pay (coming soon)
• High-volume spenders exceeding $30,000/month

Pros

• True self-custody model—maintain control of private keys
• Up to 10% cashback in STRK (first 30 days)
• 3% ongoing cashback with no staking requirements
• Zero FX, conversion, and top-up fees
• Earn up to 6% yield on Bitcoin and USDC
• Borrow against BTC at ~1.6% interest
• Gas fees subsidized by Ready
• Premium 16g metal card option
• 24/7 human customer support
• 2M+ downloads, trusted since 2017
• Smart contracts used by major exchanges

Cons

• $120 annual fee for Metal card
• Only USDC supported for spending
• UK and EEA availability only (for now)
• $30,000 monthly spending limit
• No Apple Pay yet (coming soon)
• Cashback paid in STRK tokens (not stablecoins)
• Requires manual funding (no auto-convert at POS)
• Limited to Starknet network

Alternatives

• Gnosis Pay: Self-custodial Visa with up to 5% cashback in GNO, IBAN integration
• Holyheld: Non-custodial Mastercard with 1% USDC cashback, 20+ networks
• Crypto.com Card: Up to 8% cashback with CRO staking, wider global availability
• Bybit Card: Exchange-backed with broader crypto support
• Nexo Card: Credit line against crypto holdings without selling