Tangem Launches 'Tangem Pay' in Japan
Achieve seamless crypto payments while maintaining complete self-custody. Tangem, a global provider of self-custody crypto wallets, announced the launch of its new service, 'Tangem Pay,' in the Japanese market. This service allows users to directly use their crypto for daily payments while maintaining full control (self-custody) of their assets.
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- 📰 Published: April 5, 2026 at 05:21
Tangem, a global company providing self-custodial cryptocurrency wallets, has announced the launch of its new service, 'Tangem Pay,' in the Japanese market.
This service enables users to directly utilize their crypto assets for daily payments while maintaining complete control (self-custody) over their assets.
While the adoption of cryptocurrencies is growing, a major challenge has been how to use them for daily payments while maintaining self-custody.
Conventional crypto cards and payment services required processes such as:
- Moving assets to a custodial service
- Pre-converting to fiat currency
- Dependence on third-party infrastructure
These processes involved手間 and risks.
Tangem Pay was designed to solve this problem.
It combines on-chain asset management with global payment functionality and is directly integrated into the Tangem Wallet app. Users can charge their payment account with USDC on the Polygon network and make payments worldwide through a virtual Visa card.
This card can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay and used at Visa-accepting merchants both online and in-store.
The architecture of Tangem Pay is designed to maintain user ownership of assets at every stage. Whereas many crypto cards rely on custodial storage or hot wallets, with Tangem Pay, the user's primary assets are held in a self-custodial environment. Funds are only moved when the user charges their payment balance; otherwise, the assets remain securely stored in the Tangem Wallet. This separation of the wallet and payment account allows access to regulated financial infrastructure without compromising security or privacy.
The user experience is designed to be simple and efficient. After completing a one-time identity verification for the payment account, a virtual Visa card can be issued instantly within the app. Funding is also smooth; users can convert to USDC on Polygon using the in-app swap feature without needing an external exchange. Payments can be made immediately after charging, with real-time currency conversion at the point of sale.
Tangem Pay also employs a transparent fee structure.
There are no monthly fees, card issuance fees, or potential transaction fees from Tangem. The conversion from USDC to USD is 1:1, with only standard network and foreign exchange fees applied as necessary. This mechanism eliminates the complex fee structures seen with many crypto cards.
**[Transforming Crypto into 'Usable Money']**
By leveraging Visa's global network, Tangem Pay enables use in all aspects of daily life, including:
- E-commerce sites (Amazon, etc.)
- Subscriptions (Netflix, phone bills, etc.)
- Travel and transportation (train and plane tickets, etc.)
- Retail (including vending machines and courier services)
This evolves cryptocurrency from something to 'hold' into something to 'use daily.'
Tangem's expansion in Japan is supported by SBI Holdings, one of Japan's leading financial institutions, which is also actively involved in the digital asset space. This strategic support indicates a growing demand for secure, user-centric crypto solutions and strengthens Tangem's presence in the Japanese market.
Tangem has aimed to promote self-custody through its hardware wallet technology, which combines safety and simplicity. Its products are designed to make crypto more accessible for users while maintaining high-security standards by eliminating complexity, allowing them to take control of their asset management.
Furthermore, Tangem is working on creating new security experiences that blend into daily life, such as the development of a ring-shaped hardware wallet. Tangem Pay is currently available within the Tangem Wallet app.
After setting up their wallet, users can activate the service, complete the application for a virtual Visa card and identity verification, and begin making daily payments with cryptocurrency within minutes.
**About Tangem**
Founded in 2017, Tangem is a Swiss company with a mission to make self-custody simple. Its hardware wallet works in conjunction with an app to make storing and managing digital assets safe and easy. With the addition of 'Tangem Pay,' it provides an integrated ecosystem to 'Store, Grow, and Spend,' creating a single platform where users have complete control from asset management to global payments.
Japan Sole Distributor: FORTUNE Inc.
Sales site: https://tangem-wallet.net/
Manufacturer: https://tangem.com/ja/
Exhibiting as a wallet sponsor at TEAM SUMMIT 2026, held on April 7-8.
This service enables users to directly utilize their crypto assets for daily payments while maintaining complete control (self-custody) over their assets.
While the adoption of cryptocurrencies is growing, a major challenge has been how to use them for daily payments while maintaining self-custody.
Conventional crypto cards and payment services required processes such as:
- Moving assets to a custodial service
- Pre-converting to fiat currency
- Dependence on third-party infrastructure
These processes involved手間 and risks.
Tangem Pay was designed to solve this problem.
It combines on-chain asset management with global payment functionality and is directly integrated into the Tangem Wallet app. Users can charge their payment account with USDC on the Polygon network and make payments worldwide through a virtual Visa card.
This card can be added to Apple Pay or Google Pay and used at Visa-accepting merchants both online and in-store.
The architecture of Tangem Pay is designed to maintain user ownership of assets at every stage. Whereas many crypto cards rely on custodial storage or hot wallets, with Tangem Pay, the user's primary assets are held in a self-custodial environment. Funds are only moved when the user charges their payment balance; otherwise, the assets remain securely stored in the Tangem Wallet. This separation of the wallet and payment account allows access to regulated financial infrastructure without compromising security or privacy.
The user experience is designed to be simple and efficient. After completing a one-time identity verification for the payment account, a virtual Visa card can be issued instantly within the app. Funding is also smooth; users can convert to USDC on Polygon using the in-app swap feature without needing an external exchange. Payments can be made immediately after charging, with real-time currency conversion at the point of sale.
Tangem Pay also employs a transparent fee structure.
There are no monthly fees, card issuance fees, or potential transaction fees from Tangem. The conversion from USDC to USD is 1:1, with only standard network and foreign exchange fees applied as necessary. This mechanism eliminates the complex fee structures seen with many crypto cards.
**[Transforming Crypto into 'Usable Money']**
By leveraging Visa's global network, Tangem Pay enables use in all aspects of daily life, including:
- E-commerce sites (Amazon, etc.)
- Subscriptions (Netflix, phone bills, etc.)
- Travel and transportation (train and plane tickets, etc.)
- Retail (including vending machines and courier services)
This evolves cryptocurrency from something to 'hold' into something to 'use daily.'
Tangem's expansion in Japan is supported by SBI Holdings, one of Japan's leading financial institutions, which is also actively involved in the digital asset space. This strategic support indicates a growing demand for secure, user-centric crypto solutions and strengthens Tangem's presence in the Japanese market.
Tangem has aimed to promote self-custody through its hardware wallet technology, which combines safety and simplicity. Its products are designed to make crypto more accessible for users while maintaining high-security standards by eliminating complexity, allowing them to take control of their asset management.
Furthermore, Tangem is working on creating new security experiences that blend into daily life, such as the development of a ring-shaped hardware wallet. Tangem Pay is currently available within the Tangem Wallet app.
After setting up their wallet, users can activate the service, complete the application for a virtual Visa card and identity verification, and begin making daily payments with cryptocurrency within minutes.
**About Tangem**
Founded in 2017, Tangem is a Swiss company with a mission to make self-custody simple. Its hardware wallet works in conjunction with an app to make storing and managing digital assets safe and easy. With the addition of 'Tangem Pay,' it provides an integrated ecosystem to 'Store, Grow, and Spend,' creating a single platform where users have complete control from asset management to global payments.
Japan Sole Distributor: FORTUNE Inc.
Sales site: https://tangem-wallet.net/
Manufacturer: https://tangem.com/ja/
Exhibiting as a wallet sponsor at TEAM SUMMIT 2026, held on April 7-8.
FAQ
What is Tangem Pay?
It's a new feature integrated into the Tangem Wallet app that lets you use crypto (USDC) for daily payments via a virtual Visa card while maintaining self-custody.
How is it different from other crypto cards?
The main difference is that it's 'self-custody,' meaning you control your assets, unlike 'custodial' cards where you entrust them to a third party. This greatly enhances security.
Are there any fees?
There are no monthly fees, card issuance fees, or transaction fees from Tangem. Only network and foreign exchange fees apply when converting USDC to fiat currency.