If you want to earn rewards as cryptocurrency or use your crypto to make purchases at checkout, you might consider a crypto card. There are two types: crypto credit cards, which earn rewards as bitcoin, ethereum and other cryptocurrencies, instead of traditional credit card rewards; and crypto debit cards, which let you buy items with crypto.
While some of the rewards and other perks may seem lucrative at first, it’s important to keep in mind the additional risk and volatility that comes with crypto over earning US dollars or an issuer-branded currency, as well as using crypto as a currency to buy items.
The crypto market bounced back slightly in July, but there’s still a good amount of FUD as the crypto winter has yet to dissipate. What’s more, regulations and tax laws are evolving in this market, and legislators and enforcement agencies are applying particularly high levels of scrutiny to institutions offering crypto products.
Whether you’re interested in a crypto credit card or crypto debit card, just be sure to weigh the risks first. You’ll need at least good credit to be approved for one of the below crypto credit card options, but you’ll be able to use them anywhere other credit or debit cards are accepted.
Best crypto credit and debit cards
The Venmo Credit Card is a cash-back rewards card, but you can choose to redeem rewards in crypto -- bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin or bitcoin cash -- at the end of each month. Unlike some other credit cards, there are no transaction fees for converting rewards to cryptocurrency. Venmo automatically assigns your highest cash-back rate to your highest spending categories. You’ll earn 3% back on your highest eligible spend category, 2% on the second highest eligible spend category and 1% on all other eligible purchases, so you don’t have to strategize your spending to maximize your rewards. The major drawback is that you cannot transfer your crypto from Venmo’s custodial platform to an exchange or your own wallet, which may be a dealbreaker for some.
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- 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.24% Variable
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The Venmo Credit Card is a cash-back rewards card, but you can choose to redeem rewards in crypto -- bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin or bitcoin cash -- at the end of each month. Unlike some other credit cards, there are no transaction fees for converting rewards to cryptocurrency. Venmo automatically assigns your highest cash-back rate to your highest spending categories. You’ll earn 3% back on your highest eligible spend category, 2% on the second highest eligible spend category and 1% on all other eligible purchases, so you don’t have to strategize your spending to maximize your rewards. The major drawback is that you cannot transfer your crypto from Venmo’s custodial platform to an exchange or your own wallet, which may be a dealbreaker for some.
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- 20.24%, 26.24%, or 29.24% Variable
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The Crypto.com Visa Card comes in many colors, but the best ones will require you to hold large amounts of cronos -- Crypto.com’s native token -- for six months to qualify.
You’ll need $400 in cronos to qualify for the lowest tiered card that earns rewards and $400,000 for the top-tiered card. Each card tier has different rewards rates, ranging from 1% to 5%, and varying perks. The cards earn rewards in cronos, which are deposited into your crypto wallet in the Crypto.com app. You can then exchange cronos for US dollars, which can be used for purchases with the card.
Since it’s a debit card, each time you swipe your card you trigger a taxable event. Make sure you’re prepared to pay capital gains on your spending before choosing this type of card.
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The Crypto.com Visa Card comes in many colors, but the best ones will require you to hold large amounts of cronos -- Crypto.com’s native token -- for six months to qualify.
You’ll need $400 in cronos to qualify for the lowest tiered card that earns rewards and $400,000 for the top-tiered card. Each card tier has different rewards rates, ranging from 1% to 5%, and varying perks. The cards earn rewards in cronos, which are deposited into your crypto wallet in the Crypto.com app. You can then exchange cronos for US dollars, which can be used for purchases with the card.
Since it’s a debit card, each time you swipe your card you trigger a taxable event. Make sure you’re prepared to pay capital gains on your spending before choosing this type of card.
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The Coinbase Card lets you earn and spend crypto. It’s a debit card, so you can add funds from a linked debit account or with direct deposit. You can choose to fund your purchases with cash or with cryptocurrencies in your Coinbase wallet.
Like the Crypto.com option, since this is also a debit card, you’re on the hook for taxes with each swipe.
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The Coinbase Card lets you earn and spend crypto. It’s a debit card, so you can add funds from a linked debit account or with direct deposit. You can choose to fund your purchases with cash or with cryptocurrencies in your Coinbase wallet.
Like the Crypto.com option, since this is also a debit card, you’re on the hook for taxes with each swipe.
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Gemini Credit Card®
The Gemini Credit Card will instantly deposit your rewards into your Gemini wallet as soon as you swipe. You’ll earn crypto for making everyday purchases at the grocery store or your favorite restaurant, which will be converted into the coin of your choice, whether it’s bitcoin, ethereum or any of the other coins available on Gemini.
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- 13.24% – 24.24% Variable
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The Gemini Credit Card will instantly deposit your rewards into your Gemini wallet as soon as you swipe. You’ll earn crypto for making everyday purchases at the grocery store or your favorite restaurant, which will be converted into the coin of your choice, whether it’s bitcoin, ethereum or any of the other coins available on Gemini.
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
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- 13.24% – 24.24% Variable
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FAQs
While legislation is still being hammered out, it is important to track your cryptocurrency buy-in prices so you can report any capital gains you may owe taxes on. If and when you sell your cryptocurrency holdings, you may be required to report capital gains and losses to the IRS. Major tax software platforms are building out support for reporting crypto on your taxes, or you can consult with a tax professional to determine your specific needs.
Cryptocurrencies are widely considered high-risk and volatile assets, so the value of your rewards balance may fluctuate significantly over time with no guarantees. Accounts where cryptocurrencies are held are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation like banks, and some have ongoing legal challenges. Legislation is still evolving and has not yet been solidified surrounding cryptocurrencies, so there is inherent risk in the unknown.
There are some crypto debit cards on the market, including the Crypto.com Visa Card and the Coinbase Card (above), as well as the Robinhood Cash Card and the Binance Visa Card. All of these cards allow you to spend your crypto at public merchants and earn crypto rewards on your expenditure.
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles -- with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different -- and the designated function of a card.
For cash-back credit cards, for example, key factors include the annual fee, the “welcome bonus” and the cash-back rate (or rates, if they differ by spending category). For rewards and miles cards, we calculate and weigh the net monetary value of a card’s respective perks. And with balance transfer credit cards, we analyze specs such as the duration of the introductory 0% APR period and the balance transfer fee, while acknowledging secondary factors such as the standard APR and the length of time you have to make a balance transfer after you open the account.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
