MoonPay adds discovery card support and expands U.S. cryptocurrency payment options

MoonPay adds Discover card support and expands U.S. cryptocurrency payment options.

MoonPay announced the integration of Discover cards into its platform, allowing U.S. customers to not only use Visa and Mastercard, but now also buy or sell cryptocurrency through Discover cards. The move allows users to process cryptocurrency transactions using any of the three major U.S. payment networks, and aims to simplify the process of entering the digital asset market.

Fully supports U.S. credit cards for cryptocurrency payments

The addition of Discover allows MoonPay to complete the integration of major U.S. credit card payment options. In addition to Visa and Mastercard, it also includes Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, bank transfer and multiple local payment methods. MoonPay aims to remove barriers for new buyers to enter the cryptocurrency space. These payment networks remain the core intermediaries between the traditional financial world and digital assets, and expanding payment options can make it easier for a wider user base to experience cryptocurrency transactions.

For users who want to seamlessly manage cryptocurrency transactions, applications that provide integrated tools such as portfolio monitoring, smart price alerts, and real-time tracking of market trends will be helpful. For example, CryptoAppsy allows users to quickly respond to market opportunities and focus on macroeconomic indicators such as the Federal Reserve interest rate by combining investments with real-time pricing data, detailed analysis, and customizable portfolio management without the need for a cumbersome account setup process.

According to MoonPay, its services now cover more than 30 million customers in 180 countries, supporting payment services for more than 500 wallets, exchanges and digital applications. Leveraging the Discover network's ability to cover millions of cardholders across the country, MoonPay can now enter a new segment of the U.S. cryptocurrency market.

MoonPay and Discover executives stated

Executives from the two companies explained the importance of this cooperation. Richard Harrison, vice president of banking and payments partnerships at MoonPay, highlighted the practical benefits: "Every time an additional payment method is added, it eliminates a reason for users to abandon transactions at checkout." Claudia Schaefer of Discover Global Network points out that expanding payment options can give individuals more flexibility when making payments.

Unlike Visa and Mastercard, which have long invested in cryptocurrency-related projects, Discover has taken a more cautious attitude towards the digital asset industry. Despite this, its user base remains an important source of potential new users making cryptocurrency payments through the MoonPay platform.

Bank Restrictions and Approval Process

Although this feature is integrated, not every Discover card can be automatically approved for cryptocurrency transactions. Success depends largely on the policies of the issuing bank, as each financial institution independently implements its risk management, compliance and anti-fraud measures. As a result, two customers holding Discover cards issued by different banks may encounter different results when trying to purchase.

MoonPay does not disclose approval or rejection statistics by card network, making it difficult to directly compare the performance of Discover, Visa and Mastercard. Although technical support for this payment method has been added, the final authorization is still decided by each bank and card issuer.

Industry Background and Business Growth

This launch comes as Discover enters a new stage after being acquired by Capital One, making it one of the largest integrated card issuer and payment networks in the United States. At the same time, MoonPay continues to expand into more advanced services that go beyond the transfer of fiat to cryptocurrencies, such as its recently launched artificial intelligence-based proxy tool that allows users to create self-managed wallets and perform automated transactions.

MoonPay reported that it achieved positive cash flow in 2024 and doubled profits from 2023-a sign of growing demand for its payment solutions. The addition of Discover does not represent a fundamental shift in overall cryptocurrency adoption, but it marks continued progress in mainstream accessibility. Against the backdrop of increasingly competitive regulated entry-channel markets, providing broader payment support aims to make it easier for more people to purchase digital currencies.

Integrating Visa, Mastercard and Discover into a single checkout process aims to expand access channels for new users of digital assets and reduce friction, further highlighting the importance of multiple payment options as the industry evolves.