Digital currencies and NFTs have come a long way – they’re no longer fringe ideas. In the EU and UK, more people and businesses are using them in everyday life, whether it’s sending stablecoins across borders or running loyalty schemes built on NFTs.
In 2024, Visa introduced major updates that reshaped how crypto and NFT transactions work. These included the Ramp Provider Program, new acceptance standards for digital currencies, and clearer dispute rules for NFTs. Fast forward to 2025, and those changes are now in full effect – shaping how crypto is used and regulated at scale.
If you’re a merchant, fintech, or crypto-native business, keeping up with these changes is essential. In this guide, we’ll break down the latest Visa rules, what regulations like MiCA mean for you, and how CardCorp can help you accept crypto payments with confidence.
Visa Crypto Rules – What’s Already Changed
Visa’s 2024 rule changes marked a major turning point for digital currency acceptance. The new standards are designed to reduce disputes, improve clarity for issuers, and offer merchants a safer framework for operating in high-risk industries like crypto.
Key updates include:
- The launch of the Ramp Provider Program, creating a formal role for on/off ramps
- Improved transaction-level data, including indicators for stablecoins, NFTs, and live conversions
- More detailed compelling evidence standards for crypto-related disputes
- Pre- and post-purchase disclosure requirements for digital assets
Why does this matter? For years, crypto payments operated in a grey area – accepted by some platforms but lacking consistent rules. Visa’s framework now provides structure and global consistency. This is especially important for businesses operating across borders.
For more context, see our article on Account Funding Transactions (AFT), which explains how Visa now treats crypto-related loads and exchanges.
What Is a Ramp Provider?
A ramp provider is a service that converts fiat to crypto or crypto to fiat – the crucial bridge between traditional financial systems and digital assets. Examples include crypto exchanges, wallet platforms, and fiat onramps.
Under Visa’s 2024 policy:
- Ramp providers must register as TPAs (Third Party Agents)
- They are classified as HIR (High-Integrity Risk) merchants
- Each transaction must include a transaction-level indicator (e.g. stablecoin, NFT)
- The provider must comply with enhanced KYC, AML, ATF, and sanctions screening rules
- There must be a clear and secure checkout process, with post-purchase receipts
This is part of Visa’s broader effort to regulate entry and exit points between fiat and digital currency. Ramp providers play a critical role in driving digital currency acceptance, and they’re now expected to meet high standards for compliance and transparency.
Need help setting up your ramp flow? CardCorp can support you with everything from onboarding to custom integrations.
Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) for Crypto and NFT Businesses
Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) are four-digit numbers used by card networks to classify businesses based on the products or services they offer. While there is currently no dedicated MCC specifically for crypto or NFTs, there are several codes commonly used depending on the type of activity your business conducts.
Understanding which MCC applies to your business is essential for merchant account approval, ensuring compliance, and avoiding issues with payment acceptance.
Here are the most relevant MCCs for crypto, NFT, and related high-risk activities:
MCC 6051 – Quasi Cash
Typical use: Crypto exchanges, wallets, onramps
Description: Used for financial services involving quasi-cash transactions, such as money transfers, travellers’ cheques, and cryptocurrency purchases.
- Most commonly applied to fiat-to-crypto ramps and crypto exchanges.
- Considered high-risk due to its association with cash equivalents.
- May trigger issuer restrictions, such as limits or declines.
💡 This is the most common MCC for crypto platforms.
MCC 7399 – Business Services, Not Elsewhere Classified
Typical use: NFT marketplaces, Web3 platforms
Description: A general-purpose code for digital or business services that don’t fall under another specific category.
- Often used for marketplaces, platforms, or SaaS products that enable NFT creation or trading.
- Can be appropriate for Web3 infrastructure providers or platforms offering NFT utilities.
- Less restrictive than 6051 but still subject to close scrutiny during underwriting.
MCC 5815 – Digital Goods: Media, Software & Downloads
Typical use: NFT art, music, downloadable content
Description: Applies to merchants that sell digital goods like software, ebooks, music, or other downloadable content.
- May be suitable for NFT collections sold as digital media.
- Requires clear asset description and delivery proof.
- Can help reduce friction for consumer NFT purchases.
MCC 8999 – Professional Services (Miscellaneous)
Typical use: Custom NFT design, blockchain consulting
Description: A catch-all category for licensed professionals and bespoke services.
- Common for agencies or platforms offering white-label NFT solutions, design, or development.
- Also used for blockchain consultancy and compliance services.
For more guidance on how the application and approval process works for high-risk businesses, check out our blog post: Merchant Account Approval for High-Risk Businesses.
Why Your MCC Matters
Your assigned MCC affects:
- Your approval process with acquirers
- Whether banks allow or block your transactions
- Your fees, chargeback risk, and settlement times
- Whether you’re flagged for additional compliance checks
While the MCC is assigned by the acquirer, CardCorp works closely with high-risk and crypto businesses to help ensure the right code is used and to support a compliant, effective payment setup.
💡 Want to explore MCCs further? See our blog post: Merchant Category Codes: How They Affect Your Business
Digital Currency Acceptance – What’s Required in 2025
Visa’s 2025 rules for digital currency acceptance are focused on transparency, traceability, and compliance. These rules apply to all merchants selling digital assets, whether directly or through a ramp.
You must provide:
- Clear pre-purchase disclosures (asset type, conversion rate, fee breakdown)
- Post-purchase receipts including delivery destination (e.g. wallet address)
- Transaction-level indicators for accurate reporting
- Support for dispute resolution through compelling evidence
Why it matters: By aligning your checkout flow with Visa’s requirements, you reduce the risk of disputes and boost consumer confidence in crypto payments.
Need help designing your checkout flow? CardCorp ensures your business meets Visa’s technical standards while delivering a seamless experience.
NFTs and Disputes – What’s Enforceable Now?
Visa now treats NFT transactions as high-risk digital asset sales – meaning merchants must follow new rules to reduce fraud and ensure accountability.
Here’s what applies:
- NFTs must be delivered to the correct wallet address
- The metadata must match the product description
- Sellers must issue a receipt immediately after delivery
- Buyers can only dispute if the NFT was not delivered or misrepresented
Merchants can fight disputes using blockchain records, smart contract logs, and timestamped delivery proof.
NFTs have evolved beyond digital art, and businesses are using them for loyalty rewards, event ticketing, and product verification. Visa’s rules apply across all these use cases.
Explore how we support NFT businesses via CardCorp’s high-risk merchant accounts.
Crypto Transaction Dispute Rules – Better for Everyone
Visa’s updated rules have created a clearer path for resolving crypto-related disputes. This helps protect merchants from chargebacks while giving buyers reasonable rights.
Disputes are valid for:
- Non-delivery of the asset
- Significant mismatch between the description and the delivered item
They’re not valid for:
- Asset losing value post-purchase
- Buyer changing their mind
- Buyer misplacing access credentials
Many platforms are exploring blockchain-based arbitration, where independent experts resolve disputes, and outcomes can be enforced using smart contracts. This means that if an arbitrator rules in favour of one party, the decision can trigger an automated action, such as releasing funds, without needing to go through a traditional legal process. This trend is gaining momentum in regions like the UK, EU, and Asia, particularly among decentralised platforms and Web3 marketplaces.
It’s important to distinguish between Visa’s global network rules (which govern how transactions are processed) and regional regulatory obligations (like MiCA in the EU or the MLRs in the UK), which govern how crypto businesses are licensed and supervised.
MiCA, AML, and Regional Crypto Compliance in 2025
The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is now in force, requiring crypto businesses to register as CASPs (Crypto Asset Service Providers). In the UK, while the FCA does not officially use the terms VASP or CASP, cryptoasset businesses must register under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) and meet strict compliance standards.
Key requirements include:
- Capital and reserve management for stablecoins
- AML and consumer protection compliance
- Transparent product marketing and disclosures
- Licensing for custodians and asset issuers
If your business operates in the EU or UK, you must now verify whether your activities qualify under MiCA or fall under FCA oversight. Penalties for non-compliance are steep – including potential bans and heavy fines.
CardCorp works with cryptoasset businesses, CASPs, and VASPs (where applicable) to establish compliant merchant accounts and meet operational obligations.
Crypto Transaction Indicators – Why They Matter
Visa now requires every crypto transaction to include a transaction indicator, such as:
- Stablecoin (e.g. USDC, EURC)
- Blockchain-native token (e.g. ETH, SOL)
- CBDC or tokenised deposit
- NFT
- Fiat-to-crypto conversion (live rate)
These values help issuers assess risk, reduce fraud, and classify transactions properly.
Missing or incorrect indicators can lead to declined payments or acquirer issues. CardCorp’s payment gateway is fully compatible with Visa’s data model and handles crypto-specific indicators automatically.
Final Thoughts
The world of digital currency and NFTs has matured rapidly – and 2025 marks a clear turning point. With Visa’s updated rules, formal recognition of ramp providers, clearer NFT dispute policies, and evolving global regulations like MiCA and VASP, crypto is no longer an unregulated frontier. It’s becoming a structured, scalable part of modern payments infrastructure.
For businesses, this shift brings both challenges and opportunities. Those that adapt early will gain a competitive edge by offering innovative payment options, improving customer trust, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
Whether you’re developing a crypto payment flow, securing approval as a high-risk merchant, or integrating with a ramp provider, CardCorp is here to support you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Visa Ramp Provider Program?
Visa’s programme for onboarding crypto ramps with specific rules for compliance, data, and merchant classification. It allows services like exchanges or fiat onramps to operate within Visa’s card network.
2. What does MCC 6051 mean for my crypto business?
MCC 6051 is the standard code used for high-risk industries like crypto. If you’re selling digital currency or NFTs, you’re likely to operate under this MCC to remain compliant. It signals to banks and payment processors that the transaction involves quasi-cash activity, such as buying cryptocurrency.
3. How are NFTs treated under Visa’s rules?
NFTs are treated as digital asset sales. Delivery, metadata, and receipt records must be provided to prevent disputes. Buyers can’t file a chargeback if the asset loses value.
4. What’s the difference between a CASP and VASP?
The terms CASP and VASP refer to businesses offering services related to cryptoassets, such as custody, exchange, or other financial activities. However, they originate from different regulatory frameworks:
CASP (Crypto Asset Service Provider) is the term introduced under the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation, which harmonises crypto regulation across the European Union. Under MiCA, CASPs must meet detailed requirements around licensing, governance, custody, and investor protection to operate legally in the EU.
VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) is the term used by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in its global anti-money laundering (AML) recommendations. Before MiCA, many EU countries issued VASP registrations under local AML frameworks. So, many European crypto businesses historically identified as VASPs, especially under guidance aligned with FATF.
In the UK, the term VASP or CASP is not officially used. Instead, UK regulation defines two main categories under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs):
- Cryptoasset exchange providers
- Custodian wallet providers: These UK definitions serve the same functional role as VASP/CASP, with businesses required to register with the FCA and meet AML requirements.
In summary:
- CASP = EU MiCA-compliant crypto business
- VASP = FATF-aligned global term, historically used across many jurisdictions
- UK terms = ‘Cryptoasset exchange provider’ and ‘Custodian wallet provider’, as defined in the Money Laundering Regulations
5. Are these rules global or regional?
Visa’s rules apply globally. However, regulations like MiCA (EU) or VASP registration (UK) depend on local laws.
6. Can I accept crypto payments without registering?
That depends on your region and setup. You may need to partner with a registered entity or limit services to non-custodial models. CardCorp can help assess your status.
7. What qualifies as Compelling Evidence?
Wallet delivery logs, smart contract data, transaction hashes, and screenshots proving fulfilment.
8. Are stablecoins good for cross-border payments?
Yes – stablecoins like USDC and EURC are widely used for low-fee, fast-settlement international transactions.