Cryptocurrencies have garnered a considerable following, serving as both utility assets and speculative investments. With conventional merchants rarely accepting crypto directly, the emergence of crypto credit and debit cards has enabled users to effortlessly transact with digital assets in the real world.
Cryptocurrency cards bridge the gap between digital currencies and real-world spending, offering diverse benefits compared to traditional cards. While traditional cards offer cashback in fiat currency, crypto cards provide rewards in tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
How do these cards function?
Numerous companies, in collaboration with major financial institutions like Visa and MasterCard, offer cryptocurrency credit and debit cards. These cards link directly to users’ digital wallets. When making a purchase, the card deducts the corresponding crypto amount from the wallet, converts it to fiat, and deposits it into the merchant’s account, mirroring traditional card transactions.
Here are five crypto card options available in the current market:
1. Nexo
- Key Features: Secure and globally accepted Mastercard, virtual card creation for online security, real-time spending monitoring, and a lucrative 6% cashback offer until December 31, 2023.
- Highlights: Offers up to 8% cashback in crypto tokens and various rebates on services like Amazon Prime and Netflix. Higher-tier cardholders enjoy airport lounge access and bonuses tied to staked CRO tokens.
- Benefits: Accepted at over 50 million businesses, up to 1.5% BTC rewards on in-store purchases, and a hub for crypto operations, including buying, selling, storing, and using digital assets.
- Features: Rewards in a chosen cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, or Bitcoin Cash), varying cashback rates based on spending categories, and hassle-free rewards credited monthly into the wallet.
5. Uphold Card
- Advantages: Available in the U.K. and U.S., no annual fees, zero foreign transaction fees, supports over 250 coins and precious metals trading, and a generous 4% XRP cashback for each transaction.
Crypto cards are gaining traction, potentially becoming a staple in consumer payments, especially with the rise of central bank digital currencies. Platforms like Binance and Coinbase offering Visa or Mastercard-based debit cards further simplify the spending of digital assets in daily transactions.