Revolut launches Mastercard debit card with built-in LEDs

Revolut has started issuing a debit card that can light up to its German customers. Two LED light panels are built into the card, making the eyes of a dog figure glow. This happens when paying with the card at an EMV contactless terminal. The card is integrated into the Revolut app as a Mastercard debit card. However, Revolut primarily sells it in the app as a crypto card on the Mastercard network. When ordering the card, it has to be linked to one or all cryptocurrencies. There is also an option to connect it to the cash section of the app, but it is one or the other. The card costs around €30. Shipping fees may also apply.

It is not yet known whether more cards with LEDs will follow. The neobank is known for releasing many special-edition payment cards, some of which are also quite expensive and cost up to $92 in the heavy metal versions. The contactless power supply through the EMV Contactless protocol is sufficient to power the card. Normally, it only supplies the chip and antenna, but there is enough reserve capacity to operate LEDs as well. NFC test cards have been doing this for years. Metro Taipei, for example, also sells fare cards designed as small keychains shaped like subway cars. They blink and emit a sound when used for payment at a subway ticket gate.

A few years ago, we also reported on a credit card with an integrated OLED panel. However, said panel was not a conventional display, but works like the OLED lighting products that were still on the market a few years ago, meaning it is just a light and not a "screen" in the traditional sense.