How Do Crypto Debit Cards Work? The Complete Beginner's Guide

You load crypto onto a card. You tap your phone at a store. The merchant gets paid in dollars. Somewhere in between, your Bitcoin or USDT got converted into fiat currency, routed through a card network, and settled with the merchant's bank — all in about two seconds. But how does that actually work? What happens between your crypto wallet and the merchant's cash register? And why do some cards charge 1% while others charge 5%? This guide explains the complete mechanics of crypto debit cards in plain language.