Salary, Crypto & Global Banking Solutions (not financial advice)
Working at sea in 2025 requires smart, flexible banking with low fees, multi-currency support, and crypto options. This updated guide compares Revolut, Wise, Brightwell, crypto apps, and more—with details on fees, exchange rates, and seafarer-friendly features.
1. Best Digital Banks for Seafarers (2025)
🔹 Revolut (Best All-in-One App for Crew)
✅ Available for: EU, UK, US, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Canada
✅ 2025 Features:
- Hold & exchange 40+ currencies (free up to €5,000/month)
- Seafarer mode: No foreign transaction fees on ships
- Salary deposits in USD, EUR, GBP (no fees)
- 1-5% cashback (Metal Plan)
- Crypto trading (BTC, ETH, 50+ coins, 1.5% fee)
- Virtual & disposable cards (for online safety)
❌ Cons:
- €7/month for premium plans (Standard is free but limited)
- Some countries (India, Brazil) can’t open accounts
🔹 Wise (Best for Low-Cost Salary Transfers)
✅ Available for: 80+ countries (except Iran, North Korea)
✅ 2025 Features:
- Send money in 60+ currencies (0.3%-1.5% fee)
- Get paid like a local (US, EU, UK account details)
- Debit card (works in ports, 2 free ATM withdrawals/month)
- Auto-convert salaries at mid-market rates
- Business accounts for freelance seafarers
❌ Cons:
- No crypto trading
- No cashback
🔹 Brightwell (Seafarer-Focused Banking)
✅ Available for: All nationalities (no residency proof)
✅ 2025 Features:
- Free salary deposits from cruise lines (NCL, MSC, RCCL)
- Prepaid Visa card (no credit check)
- Send money home (1.5%-3% fee, 50+ countries)
- Crew-specific support (24/7 helpline)
❌ Cons:
- No investments/crypto
- $5/month fee if balance <$100
2. Best Crypto Apps for Seafarers (2025)
🔹 Binance (Best for Crypto Salaries & Trading)
✅ Features:
- Get paid in crypto (USDT, BTC, etc.)
- 0.1% trading fees (lowest in 2025)
- Binance Card (8% cashback in crypto)
- Crypto loans for emergencies
❌ Cons:
- Banned in some countries (US, UK restrictions)
- High volatility risk
🔹 Kraken (Safest Crypto Option)
✅ Features:
- Staking rewards (5%-12% on ETH, DOT)
- Free USD deposits (for US seafarers)
- Crypto debit card (3% cashback)
❌ Cons:
- Fewer coins than Binance
- Slow customer support
3. Best Money Transfer Services (2025)
| Service | Best For | Fees | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Cheap int’l transfers | 0.5%-1.5% | 1-2 days |
| Remitly | Sending to Asia/Africa | $0-$5 | Minutes |
| PayPal | Freelancers | 3%-5% | Instant |
4. Country-Specific Tips (2025)
- Filipino Crew: Use Wise + GCash (free PHP transfers)
- Indian Seafarers: Revolut + Binance (avoid INR restrictions)
- EU Crew: Revolut + Kraken (best crypto regulations)
Final 2025 Recommendations
✔ For salary + daily spending → Revolut
✔ For cheap transfers → Wise
✔ For crypto salaries → Binance
✔ For no-residency banking → Brightwell
🔗 Latest 2025 Fee Comparisons: Seafarer Finance Hub
Which app do you use? Share your experience below! ⚓
