[Editor's note: While the ANX BTC debit card is technically not the "first" BTC debit card to be announced, it is the first to be shipped to users. In any case, we apologize for the misleading title and we greatly appreciate your feedback and input.]
Innovation will be the determining factor in who leads the Bitcoin industry for the next several generations and industry leaders will be determined by how well they adjust to the market and how well they innovate. One of the largest problems that Bitcoin has is that since Bitcoin itself is not widely accepted anyone who wants to use it has to exchange for fiat currencies. ANX has however basically eliminated this problem with its first-of-its-kind Bitcoin debit card that allows users to use Bitcoins within the traditional credit card payment system.
Ken Lo, Chief Executive Officer for ANX said about the new card:
“We believe prepaid cards will play an integral role in a Bitcoin consumer’s day-to-day financial life. As a market leader we felt it was important to go beyond current offerings in the marketplace and bring something new and innovative to our customers. The ANX Bitcoin Prepaid Debit Card enables our customers to easily transfer their Bitcoins to their card anytime and benefit from the same freedom and flexibility of a traditional credit card”.
The ANX card is a Bitcoin only card but it supports numerous fiat currencies. The card can be used for both online and Point of Sale purchases as well as withdrawals through the Global AT&T Network. The cards come with a number of features:
- Allows ANX customers to spend their Bitcoins to make purchases via conventional credit card payment system such as online retailers or physical retail stores.
- Allows ANX customers to perform cash withdrawals via an extensive ATM network spanning over 200 countries.
- Automatically links ANX customers Bitcoin exchange accounts and Bitcoin wallets with their ANX Bitcoin Prepaid Debit Card.
- Funds can be added to the ANX Bitcoin Prepaid Debit Card via Bitcoins or any of the ANXBTC and ANXPRO online exchange websites.
- Supports 10 major currencies
The company was founded in June 2013 and has grown tremendously since that time, becoming one of the most used exchanges in the world, resting firmly at 6th largest. It is partnered with industry leaders and has led in innovation by introducing the first physical Bitcoin retail store, and the 3rd Bitcoin ATM machine, two multicurrency global exchanges (ANXPRO.COM & ANXBTC.COM), as well as mobile apps.
The new card is ready for any ANX customers that have finished the ANXKYC verification and have an account.
CT just received an official response from anxpro regarding their recent debit card launch:
Dear all,I would like to thank you all for the congratulations and friendly media exposure. Our World's First Bitcoin Debit Card Launch was very successful. All cards were sold out within 24 hours. We already have customer feedback on using the cards and they have been very positive. We pride ourselves in only announcing when we are able to deliver which means ANX is really the World's FIRST exchange to be able to deliver a REAL Bitcoin Debit Card that can be used internationally in over 30M merchants worldwide. We have already received our second batch of cards which we are unpacking in the office now and processing the backlog of reservations. The demand for these cards has been under estimated.
The card itself