EMCD, the ecosystem rooted in one of the world’s largest mining pools, is set for a significant expansion. The latest product release, the EMCD Payment Cards addresses one of crypto’s most persistent gaps: the ability to easily use digital assets for everyday spending. With the new card, users can turn their crypto into real-world purchases within minutes — online, in-store, or through Apple Pay and Google Pay.
BeInCrypto had the opportunity to speak to Abderrahman Ghiadi, the Regional Head of Partnerships at EMCD, during Blockchain Life 2025, discussing how the company went from being a mining pool to a full crypto ecosystem for both miners and regular crypto users.
From Mining Pool to Closed-Loop Ecosystem
EMCD began as a mining pool but gradually expanded its product lineup to Wallet, Coinhold, OnLock, now Payment Cards, and others. According to Ghiadi, each product was a reflection of the users’ current needs. “We’ve been gradually expanding the ecosystem adding new tools that would meet our users’ needs. Now, we see that the crypto ecosystem of the future will have to be a closed-loop one. Users should be able to earn rewards on their income, manage their crypto, grow, and spend it within one space. And this is the type of an ecosystem we’re set to create”, he said.
This vision of a seamless ecosystem ultimately led to the creation of the EMCD Payment Card. It allows users to spend their cryptocurrency anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Once an EMCD account is set up, users simply should top up the Payment Card with USDT directly from the EMCD Wallet, and then pay with it in stores, online, or through mobile apps within minutes after passing KYC.
Watch the full interview with Abdurrahman Ghiadi from EMCD at Blockchain Life 2025 here:
Where Mining Power Meets Everyday Convenience
With miners being the core of the ecosystem’s user base, EMCD is set to reshape the way they and long-term crypto holders interact with their assets. Instead of treating rewards as something to store, with the Payment Card, users can convert their payouts into accessible payment tools for their day-to-day needs.
The shift also challenges the long-standing HODL mentality, which, Ghiadi says, made sense 5-10 years ago when spending the crypto you’ve mined in grocery shops or restaurants seemed nearly impossible.
“We’re already seeing people using our EMCD Payment card to book flights, and pay for groceries. It’s bridging the world of mining and actual spending,” Ghiadi told BeInCrypto.
At the end of our conversation, we asked Ghiadi to outline EMCD’s plans for the next 18 months. He said the company is focused less on transaction numbers and more on behavioral change. The aim is to make EMCD Payment Card the one of default spending tools not only for miners but for all kinds of crypto users around the world, seamlessly linking digital rewards with daily life.
This plan is aligned with what he observed from the users’ feedback.
“What surprised us most was the fact that miners didn’t just want faster withdrawals, they sought a sense of normality and ease of access to their funds. What we’ve got from the feedback, is that people are looking for a way to spend their crypto easily. So, there has to be great UX and UI, and also, the experience should feel intuitive. And this is exactly what we are offering”, he affirmed.
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