The Critical Role of Card Issuing Partners in DeFi
A crypto neobank cofounder recently highlighted the challenge teams face when evaluating card program vendors. The reality? Early conversations quickly pivot from product roadmap and implementation details to compliance frameworks, KYB requirements, and onboarding controls. This shift reveals a fundamental misalignment: established card issuers operate like traditional banking partners with heavyweight institutional review processes, while founders building lean teams need velocity.
Compliance vs Speed: The Neobank Dilemma
The dilemma breaks down into competing priorities:
Evaluating Card Program Vendors for Crypto
• Enterprise-first approach: Mature compliance infrastructure reduces long-term regulatory friction but slows initial deployment...