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Ukraine’s crypto card market is shrinking fast. Weld Money, a fintech that let people spend crypto through a Mastercard-linked card, is closing its doors in the country. Users have been told to pull out their money by the end of next month or risk losing access.
According to company posts on social media, military controls under martial law and unclear rules drove the decision. The startup began five years ago offering a super-app for bank accounts. In 2022, it teamed up with Unex Bank to roll out a card tied to wallets on WhiteBIT and Huobi (now HTX). You could pay with USDT, USDC, BUSD or DAI at any shop that takes Mastercard.
Crypto Card Firm Faces Harsh Controls
Based on reports, Weld Money saw service disruptions as checkpoints and tightened checks slowed transactions. Some users flagged problems back in March on the firm’s Telegram channel. Every delay chipped away at the smooth withdrawals and payments that cardholders expected.
$WELD Money are shutting down due to military & regulatory limits in Ukraine.
Please withdraw funds by June 30 from all wallets & cards.
Support — via Telegram: @alexeybobok#WELD #WeldMoney #crypto #shutdown #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/vhHTkS4a0Y— WeldMoney (@MoneyWeld) May 27, 2025
Regulations Hold Back Fintech Growth
In April, Ukraine’s securities regulator floated a plan to tax crypto income at 18% and hike a defense surcharge from 1.5% to 5%. Lawmakers have stalled a key bill “On Virtual Assets” that was supposed to clear the fog. Until rules firm up, any company needing stable banking ties will hesitate to launch new services.
Other Players Also Pack Up
Weld Money isn’t alone. In January, Kuna – a local exchange – said it would halt trading. By March, the Economic Security Bureau, citing tax evasion claims, had even taken down its site. On May 20, wallet provider Trustee Plus stopped new sign-ups, pointing to the same legal doubts.
Home-Grown Innovation Faces Exit
Based on statements from fintech leaders, rising costs linked to the war aren’t the only issue. New limits on cash flows make budgeting tough. When major payment rails act up, small startups can’t cover tech teams and compliance checks at the same time.
Outlook Depends On Lawmakers
According to analysts following Kyiv, passing the OVA bill could turn the tide. Clear rules on profit taxes and military levies might bring back some confidence. But even then, big global firms with deep compliance staffs are more likely to stay.
Ukraine wants to be a hub for blockchain work. Yet, until peace and paperwork catch up, local players may find it too risky. For now, customers will be left scrambling to move funds. And the empty desks at small crypto firms will stand as proof that, in a country under martial law, uncertainty is costly.
Featured image from Gemini, chart from TradingView
