Thanks for your input!
So I guess, it would appear I got lucky by not getting that approval, hehehe.

Nowadays I don't think there are many card issuers that won't apply some nasty hidden fees. The last three providers I checked all have inactivity fees. From $2 to $26 per year, activated at the 6th-12th month.

It seems there is almost no competition when it comes to crypto exchanges that provide direct spending of crypto assets or instant refills of prepaid FIAT cards. 2-3 tops, for EU. Their exchange rates, when spending, also suck - from 1 to 3%. Then the refill fee too, up to 2%.