Yes. Good Question. I will add that to the next article on Zypto.
Step 3: Completing KYC (Identity Verification)Zypto uses a tiered KYC system.
You cannot fund a VISA card or pay a utility bill without at least Level 1 verification.
What you will need:
A valid Government ID (Passport, Driver’s License, or National ID).
A smartphone with a working camera for a "Liveness Check.
"Proof of Address (Only required for higher spending limits or physical cards).
The Process:
Identity Scan: You will take a photo of the front and back of your ID.
Face Scan: The app will ask you to look into the camera and move your head in a circle to prove you are a real, living person.
Verification Time: In 2026, Zypto’s AI-driven verification usually takes between 2 and 15 minutes to approve.
KYC Levels & Limits (Estimated for 2026)
Level. Requirements. What you can do.
Tier 0 None (Wallet only). Store, send, and receive crypto (HBD/HIVE).
Tier 1. ID + SelfieBuy Gift Cards, Mobile Top-ups, and Virtual Cards (up to $1,000).
Tier 2 Proof of Address Pay Bills, High-limit Virtual Cards, and Physical Card orders.
Tier 3. Source of Wealth. Institutional limits for business users.
Important Notes for Users
Prohibited States: If your GPS or ID shows you are in New York, Hawaii, or Louisiana, the "Bill Pay" and "Card" features may be greyed out due to local state laws.
Non-Custodial Nature: Even after you do KYC, your Hive keys stay on your phone. Zypto only uses your identity to satisfy banking laws for the VISA card part of the app; they do not "own" your Hive account.
Privacy: Zypto uses encrypted third-party providers (like SumSub or Onfido) to handle your ID data, meaning the Zypto staff themselves usually never see your actual documents.
Pro-Tip:
Once your KYC is approved, start by loading a small amount of HBD (e.g., $20) onto a Virtual Card first. This confirms everything is working before you try to pay a large mortgage or electricity bill!
Some years ago a US bank demanded I do essentially the same thing, and I told them no. I'm not giving up my biometric ID (a face scan) for mere money. They took almost $1000 from me, and I still don't have it back.
I'm not giving that data to anyone for mere money. More than ten years ago India mandated it's citizens adopt biometric ID. Today you can buy the biometric data of more than 1B Indians for ~$80k. Once a hacker has your biometric data you are fucked for life, because you cannot change your biometric data like a password. I will not use biometric ID.
Thanks, but no thanks.
Cool, this is very useful additional information.