Bitcoin card providers cancel services with zero notice – Users left trapped without funds

Wirex issued the above email to all bitcoin debit card users at ~11 PM UTC on January 4th

Major bitcoin debit card providers such as Wirex, TenX and Bitwala have informed users that all VISA card operations have been cancelled effective immediately following sudden communication from card issuer WaveCrest. With zero notice, this leaves thousands of debit card users around the world trapped with no access to funds.

Users on social media are reporting that their various cards have ceased to work following the unexpected crackdown.

One user on Twitter states

Almost every prepaid crypto card banned with immediate effect by Visa last night due to issue with WaveCrest. Visa
cards from TenX, Wirex, Xapo, Bitwala, Cryptopay and more now no longer work.

Confirmed that Bitwala have ceased bitcoin debit card services effective immediately. January 5th at 9:40 AM UTC

We can expect to see similar confirmation follow from Xapo considering WaveCrest also handle their services:

This leaves a large number of users around the world in a desperate situation due to the zero notice cancellation.

This sudden and unexpected attack on bitcoin debit card providers could signal increased efforts on a global regulatory crackdown. However, in line with the rugged individualism mentality that bitcoin adopters push, this shutdown opens an opportunity for a more innovative card issuing service to take WaveCrest’s place.