Neobanks that never hold your money
These are software, not institutions: you hold the keys and the company cannot freeze, lend or lose your balance. Company risk is replaced by key-management risk, and any card is issued by a licensed partner rather than by the app itself.
All 51 self-custodial neobanks
| neobank | type | hq | custody | licence / structure | reported users |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom | web3-native | San Francisco, US | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | 15M MAU (2025) |
| MiniPay | web3-native | Oslo, NO | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | 10M wallets (2025) |
| 1inch Card | web3-native | Dubai, AE | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; card via Baanx/Crypto Life | — |
| AllScale | web3-native | — | Custodial | Self-custodial stablecoin platform; not a bank; compliance and settlement via licensed partners | — |
| Avalanche Card | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; issuer partners | — |
| Avici | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Bitget Wallet | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; cards via DCS (Asia), Immersve (EU/UK/LatAm), Fiat24 (CN virtual) | — |
| Bleap | web3-native | London, UK | MPC self-custodial | MPC self-custody; MC principal member | — |
| COCA | hybrid | Dubai, AE | MPC self-custodial | MPC self-custody; e-money card partners (UK/EU) | — |
| Cypher | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; principal card programs | — |
| Daimo | web3-native | New York, US | Self-custodial | Open-source self-custodial software | — |
| Dakota | web3-native | New York, US | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Decaf | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; issuer partners | — |
| Eco (Beam) | web3-native | New York, US | Self-custodial | Self-custodial (Eco protocol) | — |
| El Dorado | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| EtherFi Cash | web3-native | Miami, US | Self-custodial | DeFi protocol + issuer partners | — |
| Exa | web3-native | Buenos Aires, AR | Self-custodial | DeFi protocol (Exactly); card via partners | — |
| Exodus | web3-native | Omaha, US | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Fizen | web3-native | Ho Chi Minh, VN | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Hyperbeat | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial smart accounts (HyperEVM); Paxos Labs stablecoin infra | — |
| Infini | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Karta | web3-native | Redwood City, US | MPC self-custodial | Self-custodial (MPC via Privy); Visa issued by Rain | — |
| MetaMask | web3-native | Consensys (global) | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software — no banking licence needed; card via licensed issuer partners | — |
| Mine | web3-native | Zug, CH | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software (EMM Ventures AG, Zug); card via Unblock Atomo SARL, EEA e-money institution; IBAN via regulated Swiss intermediary | — |
| Moon | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Onboard | web3-native | Lagos, NG | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Oobit | web3-native | Singapore, SG | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Payy | web3-native | New York, US | Self-custodial | Self-custodial ZK L2; card via issuer partners | — |
| Peanut | web3-native | Zug, CH | Self-custodial | Open-source protocol; no custody | — |
| Plasma One | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Own L1; card via issuer partners | — |
| Plutus | hybrid | London, UK | Custodial | E-money card via Modulr (FCA EMI; Lithuanian EMI for EEA); PLU rewards self-custodial | — |
| Rainbow | web3-native | New York, US | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Ready | web3-native | London, UK | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Rizon | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| SafePal | web3-native | Singapore, SG | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Sling Money | web3-native | London, UK | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Solayer Emerald | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; Visa principal program | — |
| Solflare | web3-native | Belgrade, RS | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software; card via issuer partners | — |
| Startale | web3-native | Singapore, SG | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; co-develops Soneium with Sony Block Solutions Labs (Sony Group JV) | — |
| Superform | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| SurfCash | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial (BVI entity); decentralized protocols + licensed local partners; Circle Alliance | — |
| Tangem | web3-native | Zug, CH | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; funds in a user-controlled smart contract (USDC on Polygon); card by Paera LLC, issued by Third National via Rain | — |
| Tria | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Trust Wallet | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Tuyo | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Veera | web3-native | Singapore, SG | Self-custodial | Self-custodial; passkey-secured non-exportable keys | — |
| WeFi | web3-native | — | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| XPlace | hybrid | Dubai, AE | Custodial | Self-custodial (non-custodial Solana smart contracts); cards issued via Rain (Signify Holdings) under Visa licence | — |
| xPortal | web3-native | Sibiu, RO | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Xverse | web3-native | London, UK | Self-custodial | Self-custodial software | — |
| Zengo | web3-native | Tel Aviv, IL | MPC self-custodial | MPC self-custody; no seed phrase | — |
Common questions
Neobanks that never hold your money: how many are there?
51 of the 368 neobanks tracked here are self-custodial neobanks. Every entry is verified active and listed on this page with its custody model, licence detail and the regions it serves.
Which self-custodial neobanks are the largest?
Not answerable from public data: only 2 of these 51 disclose a user figure at all. The list below is therefore not a ranking, and anyone presenting one for this category is guessing.
What does this category actually mean?
These are software, not institutions: you hold the keys and the company cannot freeze, lend or lose your balance. Company risk is replaced by key-management risk, and any card is issued by a licensed partner rather than by the app itself.
Related
Neobanks running on someone else’s banking licence (77) · Neobanks that hold their own banking licence (127) · Neobanks operating under crypto and money-transmitter licences (24) · Neobanks authorised as e-money institutions (48) · Neobanks authorised as crypto-asset service providers under MiCA (8) · Neobanks authorised as payment institutions (13)
Figures compiled from public sources, for comparison only — not financial advice. "Up to" rates change constantly; always confirm with the issuer. Spotted an error? Suggest a fix.