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Comparison

IBAN in your name, crypto card or exchange: which one to pay in euros?

Crypto IBAN or crypto card, exchange withdrawal or P2P sale: this comparison puts five types of service side by side, without naming brands. For each, what it does, where it falls short, and when it will suit you better than ours.

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  • Five types of service
  • No brands named
  • Verifiable criteria
Illustrative example

The options

Five routes to euros

Paying rent, a bill or a contractor with crypto always comes down to the same thing: your payee must receive euros. What changes is the route, the cost and the name that appears on the payment.

This comparison describes how each type of service usually works: always check the specific offer you are considering.

Criterion by criterion

The comparison in one table

CryptoIBAN Crypto card Exchange withdrawal P2P sale Virtual or pooled IBAN
Pay rent by SEPA transfer Yes No Partly Partly Partly
IBAN in your own name Yes Partly No No Partly
No need to route through your main bank Yes Yes No No Yes
Total cost known before you confirm Yes Partly Partly No Partly
Statements for your landlord or accountant Yes Partly Partly No Partly
Account in your name Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Pay by card, in shops or online No Yes No No Partly
Provider authorised under MiCA Yes Partly Partly No Partly
  • Yes
  • No
  • Partly

Comparison by type of service, for illustration only. The middle symbol means “partly, or depends on the provider”.

When to choose what

The right option depends on what you pay

No single solution covers every need, and nothing stops you from combining two: a card for everyday spending, an IBAN in your name for rent and bills. Here, plainly, is when each one fits best.

  • IBAN in your name

    To pay third parties by SEPA transfer: rent, bills, contractors, taxes. Your name is on every transfer and you keep a receipt. That is exactly what CryptoIBAN does.

  • Crypto card

    For everyday purchases, in shops or online: that is what a card is for, and CryptoIBAN does not offer one. Check who provides the service and the fees on each payment.

  • Exchange withdrawal

    Your crypto already sits on an exchange and you simply want euros in your usual account, from which your payments will then go out.

  • P2P sale

    For a small one-off amount, with someone you know. Beyond that, the risk of a dispute is yours, with no statement your accountant can use.

  • Virtual or pooled IBAN

    To fund a platform account with the reference it provides. Less suited to paying third parties: your payee often sees the platform’s name.

The name on the transfer

Why the name on the IBAN now matters

As with any SEPA transfer, your payee sees the name of the account holder the payment comes from. With an IBAN in your own name, that is you; with a pooled account, it is usually the platform.

The name matters all the more since 9 October 2025: payment providers in the euro area now check the payee’s name before every transfer (Regulation 2024/886, art. 5c). An IBAN in your own name gives a clean match; a pooled account identified by a reference usually returns “no match”.

Our guide to named, virtual and pooled IBANs explains the differences, and how to tell which one you have.

Illustrative example

Before you choose

The questions to ask any provider

They apply to any offer, ours included.

Ask

  • Who provides the crypto-asset services, and are they authorised under MiCA? Look the name up in ESMA’s interim register.
  • Which licensed payment or e-money institution holds the account and executes transfers?
  • Is the IBAN in your own name, or a platform’s IBAN with a reference?
  • Are fees all-in, rate included, and shown before you confirm?
  • Are your euros safeguarded, and by whom?
  • Does a person answer support requests, in your language, and how fast?

Warning signs

  • No regulated entity named, not even in the contract
  • Fees quoted “from”, with no rate shown
  • Promised gains on your euros
  • A promise of discretion towards the tax authorities
  • A request for your recovery phrase

FAQ

Comparing before you choose: your questions

Is a crypto card enough to pay rent?

Rarely: landlords usually expect a SEPA transfer, not a card payment. For rent, you need an IBAN that sends transfers.

Why not just withdraw to my usual account?

If it suits you, it is a valid option. Your crypto flows then mix with everyday spending, and the cost depends on the platform’s fees and rate. With CryptoIBAN, your conversions stay separate, on a dedicated IBAN in your name.

How do I know if a crypto provider is authorised in the EU?

Ask for the name of the entity providing the service and look it up in ESMA’s interim register or with the national authority. Since 1 July 2026, the end of MiCA’s transitional period, a provider must be authorised (art. 59) or notified (art. 60). Step by step: how to check a crypto provider.

Where can I find the names of CryptoIBAN’s partners?

In the contract provided before your account is opened, with their licence numbers: the MiCA-authorised provider of the crypto-asset services, and the licensed e-money institution that holds your account.

Why does this comparison name no brands?

Because offers change and features vary from one provider to another. Comparing types of service stays accurate for longer; for a specific offer, ask it the questions above.

Learn more

Take a closer look

Need to pay third parties in euros?

If so, an IBAN in your own name is the right tool. Your account opens online: €0 to open, no subscription, and a person answers your questions within 24 business hours.

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