Payment platform Mercuryo and self-custodial hardware wallet provider Tangem have launched a limited-time promotional campaign offering eligible users zero-fee purchases of USD Coin (USDC) on the Stellar network.
Under the campaign, users can purchase USDC directly into their Tangem wallets without fees charged by either Mercuryo or Tangem. Purchases can be made using credit or debit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay, giving users several conventional payment options for acquiring the stablecoin.
The campaign is designed to simplify USDC access by allowing eligible users to buy the stablecoin directly into a self-custodial Tangem wallet through Mercuryo without Mercuryo or Tangem fees.
The promotion applies to qualifying transactions of at least $150 or 150 euros and allows a maximum purchase of $700 or 700 euros per on-ramp transaction. It applies specifically to on-ramp purchases and supports selected local currencies.
Users in the United States, United Kingdom, and European Economic Area are excluded from the promotion. The companies have also limited the campaign to particular assets and the Stellar blockchain, meaning purchases involving other supported cryptocurrencies or networks do not qualify.
XLM Required Before USDC Purchase
The campaign includes a two-step purchasing process because users need to hold a balance of Stellar’s native asset, XLM, in their Tangem wallets before purchasing USDC on the network.
Users who do not already have XLM can first purchase between 10 euros and 50 euros worth of the asset through the wallet. After establishing the required XLM balance, they can proceed with the qualifying USDC purchase of between 150 euros and 700 euros.
This requirement is connected to the operation of transactions on the Stellar network, where XLM can be used to cover network-related costs. The promotional waiver from Mercuryo and Tangem does not eliminate blockchain transaction charges.
Eligible users can therefore access the promotion through a two-stage process, first acquiring a small XLM balance and then purchasing the larger USDC amount directly into their Tangem wallet.
Promotion Runs Until Allocation Is Exhausted
The campaign began on Sept. 15, 2026, and is scheduled to remain available for four weeks. However, the promotion can end earlier if the allocated promotional budget is exhausted.
The offer covers purchases of USDC and XLM on the Stellar network under the specified campaign conditions. Other digital assets and blockchain networks are excluded, limiting the promotion to a defined segment of Mercuryo and Tangem’s on-ramp services.
The structure is aimed at users seeking to acquire stablecoins through conventional payment methods while retaining control of their digital assets through a self-custodial wallet. Rather than purchasing USDC on an exchange and subsequently transferring it to a personal wallet, qualifying customers can complete the purchase directly into their Tangem wallet.
Focus on Self-Custody and Stablecoin Access
Mercuryo Chief Business Officer Arthur Firstov said the initiative was intended to make USDC more accessible to Tangem users as stablecoins become more widely used throughout the digital-asset ecosystem.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
Campaign details:
– Not for UK, US, or EEA users
– €150–700 per txn limit for USDC
– €10–50 per txn limit…— Mercuryo (@Mercuryo_io) September 16, 2026
Tangem Head of Investment Products Stanislav Bublik said the arrangement was designed to give users a direct way to purchase USDC into a self-custodial wallet. The companies positioned the campaign as an effort to make the transition from traditional payment methods to self-custodied digital assets more straightforward.
The use of cards and major mobile payment services also removes the need for users to rely exclusively on cryptocurrency balances when funding the transaction. This can make the initial conversion from fiat currency into USDC more accessible for eligible customers.
Network Fees Remain Separate
Despite the zero-fee offer, users may still incur charges associated with the Stellar network. The promotion covers applicable fees charged by Mercuryo and Tangem but does not waive blockchain-level costs.
This distinction means the total cost of a transaction can still depend on network conditions and the specific transaction being performed. Users must also meet the campaign’s geographic, currency, transaction-size, and asset requirements to qualify.
By combining fiat payment options with direct delivery of USDC into a self-custodial wallet, the campaign gives eligible users a streamlined route from traditional payment methods to stablecoin ownership while keeping wallet custody with the user.
The promotion highlights the growing effort among payment providers and wallet companies to integrate fiat on-ramps directly into self-custody products. Its limited duration and geographic restrictions, however, mean that access remains dependent on eligibility and the availability of the promotional allocation.
