Comparison of Crypto Card Generations

The table below summarizes the key characteristics of each generation of crypto cards, highlighting the advancements in user control, security, and integration capabilities.

Features	1st Gen	2nd Gen	3rd Gen
Custody	Custodial	Custodial	Non-Custodial
Counterparty Risk	Yes	Yes	No
KYC	Yes	Yes	Yes
Technical Complexity	Easy	Medium	Hard
User Experience (UX)	Medium	Good	Medium
Pre-Funding Requirements	High	Medium	Low
Integration	Web2 – REST API	Web2 – REST API	Web3 Native

Each generation of crypto cards represents a significant leap forward in terms of functionality, user autonomy, and security. The transition from the simplicity of 1st generation prepaid cards to the sophisticated, non-custodial solutions of the 3rd generation mirrors the broader shift towards decentralization and user empowerment in the blockchain space.