I know this will mean a centralised service integrated with legacy systems but if the proposed card CAN actually be used in any place Visa or Mastercard can be used, the team have definitely cracked it.
I fully believe in getting as much as possible decentralised but for the moment, I believe we must work alongside existing FIAT services.This would be a fantastic way to get new people into VRC and find how easy it is to use. I presume I will not need to have a bank account to get one of the cards. Think about that.
Most of the world is not American or first world. For now, most of the world uses local FIAT currency and crypto is of about as much use to them as a rubber crutch in a swamp. Sure, it's easy to sms or e-mail it to them but then what do they do with it?
I have an ANX (Hong Kong ) Visa debit card that I can top-up with BTC and it means I can work abroad and send funds to family without the need for them to have access to internet, smartphone, a currency exchange, a bank account or a local agent. There are fees but it gets things down to a simple set of steps. I buy crypto. I deposit. I use crypto to load the card in USD. The end user draws local currency from any atm that accepts Visa. Simples.
I wouldn't mind paying for the proposed VRC card to get one but I hope the card will not have a "loading" or top-up charge or annual fee.
I hope charges for use (ATM withdraw, POS purchases ) will be reasonable. The ANX card charges are too high.
One of the things I love about VRC team is the way they think outside the envelope and try to get VRC to the point at which anyone can use it anywhere.
Good luck with the card idea. If anyone asks why I do not simply use a bank Visa card it's because this way I can get VRC in front of people and without needing a bank account. Utility is the key to getting widespread use.
I think great work guys. You can put me down for several VRC cards as soon as they are available.