Exploring Crypto Credit Cards: Everything You Need To Know
30 Sep 2023 by Ella Grace 6 min read
Exploring Crypto Credit Cards: Everything You Need To Know

As cryptocurrency becomes more widely accepted, investors are looking for different ways to spend their assets for everyday transactions. As a result of this growing demand, crypto credit cards and debit cards are becoming more readily available. 

But, which crypto credit cards are the best? What are the perks of having a crypto credit card? In this article, we explore 5 of the most popular crypto credit cards and debit cards in the market. 


What are Crypto Credit Cards?

There are so many options when it comes to crypto credit or debit cards. Crypto credit cards operate in a similar fashion to traditional rewards credit cards. Put simply, users earn crypto rewards when making different types of purchases. Instead of earning airmiles, credits or points, users have a choice of receiving different types of crypto assets. Crypto credit cards allow users to technically borrow money and then pay the balance at a later date. A worthy note is the interest rates for payments, often far higher than the rewards available. 

On the other hand, crypto debit cards allow users to spend their crypto directly from their digital wallet. Sometimes this can be referred to as a prepayment card, meaning you’re not borrowing any money. Plus, users can still earn rewards while spending! Crypto debit cards work much like a traditional debit card from the bank. 


Different Types of Crypto Credit Cards

There are different types of crypto cards available, including credit, debit, or prepaid cards. Below we outline 5 different projects offering a range of ways to spend or earn cryptocurrencies with everyday transactions. 

Crypto.com 

One of the most popular crypto debit cards is the Crypto.com card, launching in 2018 serving over 40 countries. Offering some of the highest rewards, users can earn up to 5% cashback in their favourite crypto. However, the top tiers require users to stake CRO tokens - the native asset of the Cronos blockchain. The higher the amount of CRO staked (locked up on the Crypto.com platform) the higher the rewards.   

The Obsidian top tier card (£300,000 staked CRO tokens) earns users 5% cashback. Plus, users have access to perks including a private jet partnership, AirBnB, Expedia, and more. The next tier (£30,000 staked CRO tokens) offers Frosted Rose Gold and Icy White crypto cards earning 3% cashback. The tier below that (£3,000 staked CRO tokens) includes the Royal Indigo and Jade Green cards earning 2% cashback. Both the previous tiers include perks such as Amazon Prime, Spotify, and Netflix. The Midnight Blue bottom tier card doesn’t require staking tokens but doesn't earn any rewards. However, it is a great way to spend your cryptocurrencies!

As a prepaid card, the Crypto.com Visa Card works similarly to a debit card. Users can top up their Crypto.com card using their debit or credit card, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency. All the information for reserving and managing the Crypto.com card is available on the Crypto.com App.

Plutus 

Next up on our list is the non-custodial Plutus Visa debit card, founded in 2015. The Plutus card allows users to spend either crypto or fiat and earn the platform’s native PLU token as rewards with purchases. What’s more, your cryptocurrency wallet is connected to your Plutus card while keeping your private keys private. 

Plutus boasts some of the top rewards in the market offering between 3% and 8% on every purchase. The Plutus Visa debit card allows users to earn crypto rewards at any merchant that accepts Visa. Users can access the bank-like Plutus app to manage balances and track rewards available on most smartphones. Plus, users can seemlessly top up their Plutus card in GBP or EUR using the app. 

Plutus offers a subscription plan with 3 options available ranging from free to £14.99 per month. Each tier earns 3% crypto rewards and perks, with 1 perk available in the Starter tier, 2 perks in the Everyday tier, and 3 perks in the Premium tier. To earn higher, users must ‘stack’ PLU tokens using the app. There are 4 tiers ranging from the ‘Hero’ tier offering 4% rewards for stacking 325 PLU tokens to the top G.O.A.T. tier with 8% rewards for staking 2,600 PLU tokens. The top tier also offers 8 perks. Perks allow users to earn up to £10 in PLU each month at places like Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, Disney+, Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Asda, AirBnB, Uber, and Starbucks plus many more. 

Coinbase

Third on the list is the Coinbase Visa debit card available to use at millions of merchants around the world with PIN or contactless. Also, users can withdraw cash from any ATM. Users can earn up to 4% cashback on purchases with payments made via the Coinbase account balance. The Coinbase app allows users to choose which crypto they would like to pay with from a choice of over 160 different cryptocurrencies with zero crypto spending fees. 

With no annual fees, users can tie their Coinbase account with their PayPal account or bank account. Coinbase boasts security features including instant card freeze and two-factor authentication (2FA) advertising “world-class security as standard”.

Venmo 

Next on our list of crypto credit cards is the Venmo card. The Venmo card isn’t a crypto credit card exactly, however, there are features available that make it super easy to earn crypto rewards. With no annual fee, users can adjust rewards to adapt to their spending habits. Venmo offers up to 3% cash back across 8 different spend categories including grocery shopping, dinner and drinks, travel etc. The rewards are split across 3 categories earning 3% on the category you will spend the most on, 2% on the following category, and 1% on the next. 

Using the Venmo app, users can access their rewards balance and seamlessly convert them into crypto. This includes top projects such as Bitcoin and Ethereum plus many more. The Venmo credit card offers a crypto cash back feature available through the app. Simply toggle the ‘purchase crypto’ feature, and select your preferred cryptocurrency. This will auto-purchase crypto from cashback rewards every month in your Venmo account. Venmo does offer a debit card however it doesn’t feature crypto rewards.

Gemini

The fifth option on our list of crypto credit cards is the Gemini crypto credit card. Users can benefit from a 3 tiered rewards plan offering 3% cashback on dining, 2% on groceries, and 1% on any other purchase. Furthermore, the Gemini crypto credit card offers the rewards immediately after making a purchase so you don’t have to wait until the end of the month to claim. 

There are over 60 different types of cryptocurrencies on offer to earn as rewards including leading projects Bitcoin and Ethereum. The Gemini crypto credit card boasts zero exchange fees for acquiring crypto rewards and zero foreign transaction fees. Users can simply transact with their Gemini crypto credit card at the millions of merchants around the world that accept Mastercard. Then, users can choose to trade or hodl (hold on to) rewards in their Gemini account. 

The Gemini crypto credit card comes available in black, silver, and rose gold metal cards. Featuring world-class security features, Gemini removed the long card number designed with a “security-first approach” to protect account details. Users can access their card number via the Gemini web or mobile app. Here, users can also alter their crypto reward at any point. 


Exploring Crypto Credit Cards Summary

Crypto credit cards and crypto debit cards vary with the features on offer and the way they work, sometimes like a prepaid card. There are many options available on the market offering up to 8% in crypto rewards on each purchase. However, this does require staking the project’s native tokens through an app. Nevertheless, a lot of crypto credit card projects offer bonus perks for higher subscription tiers. Not all crypto credit cards require staking or a subscription fee. There is arguably a crypto debit or credit card out there suitable to anyone wishing to spend their assets or earn crypto rewards with everyday transactions. 


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This article is intended for educational purposes and is not financial advice.