Wirex is promoting the eventual launch of the Chimera Card, a Bitcoin-funded debit card that allows you to easily spend money at over 80 million stores around the world. Developed by Chimera Wallet and powered through Wirex’s Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform, the card allows users to directly fund transactions and maintain a self-controlled environment at the expense of their own wallet.
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— Wirex (@wirexapp) February 3, 2026
While the adoption rate of Bitcoin has increased fairly quickly over the past decade, the challenge has been using Bitcoin regularly as a payment method. Attempting to use Bitcoin inevitably creates trade-offs between convenience and control for users between relying on custodial intermediaries or workarounds that effectively undermine the promise of Bitcoin’s core concept as self-sovereignty. Wirex’s recent collaboration with Chimera Wallet changes that.
A card designed around self-management
Chimera Card is centered around a wallet-first design. The card is funded by users through Bitcoin or the Lightning Network, and customers maintain on-chain balances and private keys. In contrast to traditional crypto cards, which require users to deposit funds with the issuer, Chimera’s design reduces commingling risks and increases safety in the event of issuer bankruptcy.
Bitcoins are converted into fiat currency upon payment at market rates, and prices are transparent for everyone. It feels exactly like making a purchase with a regular debit card, but the actual process maintains Bitcoin’s self-custody ethos.
Globally accepted for everyday use
Chimera cards are intended for large-scale use in the real world. It can be applied anywhere debit or credit cards are accepted, giving users the opportunity to build worldwide coverage without losing control of their finances. Support for Apple Pay and Google Pay allows for contactless transactions, while foreign exchange rates and ATM machines make this card useful for spending abroad.
Virtual and physical cards are offered, providing flexibility for both online and in-store payments.
Wirex’s role as an infrastructure layer
While Chimera focuses on the end-user experience, Wirex provides the infrastructure that makes it easy to run card programs around the world. Through its BaaS platform, Wirex eliminates the chimera concept of dealing with different issuing banks, payment networks, and regulatory integrations.
It is a single, integrated model of efficiency scale that allows Chimera to operate efficiently and remain compliant in numerous jurisdictions. Behind the scenes, Wirex manages the infrastructure, card issuance, fiat connectivity, and real-time balance management.
What Wirex BaaS brings to your program
Using Wirex BaaS, Chimera will have access to unmanaged issuance of both virtual and physical cards and IBAN accounts in EUR and USD. These networks contribute to SEPA’s instant and fast payments, which facilitate the flow of fiat currencies in over 30 countries.
It also enables real-time balance management and POS conversion without the need for pre-deposit. Additionally, enterprise-level compliance and risk management provides access to DeFi revenue infrastructure via Wirex.
Now accepting pre-orders
We will temporarily pre-sell Chimera cards. Customers who pay early will receive a permanent transaction fee of 1.5 percent compared to the standard rate of 2 percent, plus zero monthly fees and surcharges for life.
Virtual cards as well as physical cards are expected to be available by the end of Q1 2026, marking a major step towards making self-custodial Bitcoin spending a reality on a global level.
