Quppy vs Wirex: A Wirex Alternative Compared on Crypto, IBANs and Cards

Quppy and Wirex both combine everyday money with crypto, but they hold your crypto in different ways. Wirex One describes itself as a non-custodial interface with a self-custodial wallet, while Quppy's crypto wallet is custodial and provided in the EEA by a MiCA-authorised provider. That single design choice shapes security, recovery and responsibility, so it is the place to start if you are comparing Quppy vs Wirex or looking for a Wirex alternative.

Information about Wirex is taken from its official website as of October 2026 and may change; check its current terms before you decide.

Key takeaways

• Wirex One's terms describe a self-custodial wallet whose keys you control; Quppy's crypto wallet is custodial, with support-led account recovery.
• Wirex offers cards today (virtual, physical and a metal card) and card top-ups. Quppy cards are waitlist only, and bank-card funding is not currently available.
• In the EEA, Wirex One's regulated crypto services come from Crossmint Europe, S.L. (authorised by Spain's CNMV); Quppy's come from Payhound Limited (authorised by Malta's MFSA). Both appear on ESMA's interim MiCA register.
• Quppy supports EUR and GBP with no Quppy transfer fee on supported transfers, but incoming GBP is not currently available.
• Wirex suits people who want a card and key control; Quppy suits people who want a custodial EUR, GBP and crypto account with each provider named.

Quppy vs Wirex at a glance

Custody: who holds the keys

Wirex One's terms describe the app as a non-custodial technology interface. Your crypto sits in a self-custodial wallet, the private keys are generated and managed through a third-party provider called Privy, and the terms say you alone can authorise transactions from the wallet and are responsible for safeguarding access to it. Regulated services, such as crypto-asset services, payments, IBANs and cards, are provided separately by authorised Wirex Group companies or partners.

Quppy takes the opposite approach. The Quppy crypto wallet is custodial: in the EEA, Payhound Limited holds and administers supported assets under its MiCA authorisation, and you manage them through the Quppy app. There is no seed phrase to lose; if you lose access, recovery runs through Quppy Support with identity and security checks.

Neither model is safer in every situation. Self-custody means no provider holds your coins, but losing your access methods can mean losing the assets. Custody means you can recover access through support, but you rely on the provider's controls and terms. Our guide to custodial vs non-custodial wallets covers the trade-off in detail, and Is the Quppy crypto wallet custodial? explains Quppy's set-up.

Regulation and providers

Both apps split the work between several companies, so it helps to know which one serves you.

For EEA users, Wirex One's terms name Crossmint Europe, S.L., authorised by Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) as a crypto-asset service provider, for crypto services; Wirex Limited, authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority as an electronic money institution, for card services; and UAB Wirex in Lithuania for card programme management. ESMA's interim MiCA register lists Crossmint Europe, S.L. as authorised by the CNMV.

Quppy's EEA crypto services come from Payhound Limited, a crypto-asset service provider authorised under MiCA by the Malta Financial Services Authority, also listed on the ESMA register. Euro SEPA processing comes from 2PAYAPP LIMITED. Quppy is not a bank and does not hold a MiCA authorisation itself; see Is Quppy MiCA-authorised?. To check either provider, follow our guide on how to check a MiCA-authorised crypto platform.

Accounts, transfers and cards

Cards. This is where Wirex is clearly ahead. It offers a virtual card, a physical Visa or Mastercard and a Visa Signature Metal card, with Apple Pay and Google Pay, and cashback that depends on your membership tier. Quppy cards are coming soon, and you can only join a waitlist.

Funding. Wirex lists top-ups by bank transfer, crypto or Visa and Mastercard card. Quppy accepts bank transfers and crypto deposits, but adding money by bank card is not currently available.

Transfers. Wirex lists SEPA, Faster Payments and ACH. Quppy supports SEPA Standard and SEPA Instant for euros and Faster Payments and CHAPS for pounds, where enabled for your account, with no Quppy transfer fee on currently supported EUR and GBP transfers. Exchange and network costs are separate. Incoming GBP is not currently available on Quppy, so it cannot yet receive a UK salary. Details are in Are EUR and GBP transfers free with Quppy?

Crypto range. Quppy supports BTC, ETH, USDC on Ethereum and TRX. USDT is available only outside the EEA, and Solana support is coming soon. Wirex's website lists BTC, ETH, USDT and more; check its app for what is available in your country.

When Wirex fits better

Wirex is likely the better choice if you want:

• a card now, including a physical or metal card;
• to control your own keys through a self-custodial wallet;
• to top up with a debit or credit card;
• cashback or savings products, which Quppy does not currently list.

When Quppy is the Wirex alternative to consider

Quppy may suit you better if you:

• prefer not to manage keys and want account recovery through support;
• want your custody, exchange and crypto transfers handled by a provider you can look up on the MiCA register;
• mainly need EUR and GBP with no Quppy transfer fee on supported SEPA, SEPA Instant, Faster Payments and CHAPS payments;
• want to buy BTC, ETH or USDC with euros and send the proceeds to a bank by SEPA.

Services vary by country, so check where Quppy is available first.

You can also use both. Self-custody and custody can work side by side: some people keep long-term holdings in a wallet they control and use a custodial app for buying and selling. If you move crypto between the two, send it on a network both sides support, such as USDC on Ethereum to Quppy, and test with a small amount first. A wrong network can mean a permanent loss; see what happens if you use the wrong network.