UK-based company introduces the first two-way bitcoin debit card. Unlike all previous plastic bitcoin solutions, this one combines the possibility to spend the cryptocurrency with the “buy bitcoin” function.

According to the announcement, Wirex customers will be able to top-up their bitcoin card accounts through bank transfers and other alternative payment methods and then spend money via electronic wallets compatible with MasterCard and Visa.

To benefit from the new option and buy bitcoins with a debit card, the customer needs to have an E-Coin account and Wirex or E-Coin debit card (virtual or plastic).

Card accounts can be funded via transfers from Wirex partner banks, including Lloyds, ING, the Royal Bank of Scotland, Barclays and many more. Wirex’ partners operate in more than 68 countries, therefore, the company supports both domestic and international bitcoin purchases.

Wirex also enables bitcoin purchases via alternative payment methods that include Neosurf, Paysafecard, WebMoney, Yandex, Alipay, Sofortuberweisung and some others.

The company does not plan to charge fees for topping up debit card accounts but posted a comprehensive list of fees charged by banks and other payment execution providers. More information with a detailed FAQ list is available on the official Wirex blog page.

Wirex also announces the launch of a new platform, wirexapp.com, where all accounts will be transferred automatically. The company claims the customers will not be affected – they can continue creating accounts on the E-Coin website.

UK-based Wirex Limited is a banking platform that integrates blockchain solutions into traditional finance via E-Coin bitcoin debit card services. In February E-Coin was rebranded into Wirex to strengthen its position as a professional provider of banking and financial solutions.

E-Coin was supported by BnkToTheFuture crowdfunding platform: in autumn 2015 it reportedly raised $186,596 from 93 investors.

Anna Lavinskaya