Can You Use Apple Pay With Cryptocurrency?
Apple Pay does not accept crypto directly, but you can add a crypto debit card or buy crypto in some apps. The card network routes the payment.
Vahe HakobyanEditor-in-chief
Updated Oct 6, 20263 min readFact-checked
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Your card issuer moves dollars from your linked account to the merchant while the card network routes the charge.
Can Apple Pay Accept Crypto?
Apple Pay does not accept cryptocurrency directly. It pays merchants in US dollars through linked credit and debit cards.
How Crypto Debit Cards Work
A crypto debit card is linked to a crypto balance. You can usually add it to Apple Pay. At checkout, the card issuer converts crypto to dollars. The Apple Pay charge is not a blockchain transaction.
Can You Buy Crypto With Apple Pay?
Some crypto apps let you use Apple Pay as a funding method to buy crypto. A payment processor such as MoonPay, founded in 2019, converts the payment into cryptocurrency for the app.
- Check that the app lists Apple Pay.
- Confirm your card issuer allows the purchase.
- Keep the receipt for your tax records.
- Remember the crypto goes to your wallet, not Apple Pay.
What Limits And Taxes Apply?
Limits depend on your card issuer and where you live. Some banks block crypto-related card purchases. The IRS treats cryptocurrency as property, so selling or spending it is usually a taxable event. Apple Card and Apple Pay Cash cannot hold or spend crypto directly.
Frequently asked questions
Coinbase Card is a Visa debit card, and many Visa cards can be added to Apple Pay when the issuer supports it.
Apple Pay does not add its own fee; the app or card issuer may charge a conversion spread.
Some apps do, but support depends on the app and your region.
Some issuers lock the rate at authorization, while others convert at settlement, so check your card's terms.
