Debit vs. credit
A debit card pulls from funds you already hold; a credit card lends you money that you repay later. The structural difference affects fees, credit building, and how rewards are calculated.
Card A — Coinbase Card
The Coinbase Card is a Visa debit card available to US-based Coinbase customers (excluding Hawaii), issued by Pathward, N.A. It allows users to spend both US dollars and cryptocurrency directly from their Coinbase account. The card is designed as a practical way to use crypto for everyday purchases without needing to manually convert assets before spending.
Rewards
Cardholders earn crypto rewards on every purchase. The reward asset is selected from a rotating list of cryptocurrencies and can be changed at any time through the Coinbase app. Rewards rates are variable and displayed in the app, so users should check current offers before choosing their reward currency.
How It Works
When you spend crypto, Coinbase automatically converts it to US dollars at the time of the transaction. The card can also be used with USD balances, including USD Coin (USDC), which does not trigger a taxable event. There are no spending fees or annual fees, though a spread applies when converting between cryptocurrencies.
Benefits
- No credit check or staking requirement to apply.
- Accepted anywhere Visa debit cards are used.
- 24/7 dedicated phone and email support.
- Easy setup with a virtual card for instant online use.
- Bank account linking and direct deposit options for funding.
Important Considerations
Spending cryptocurrency (other than USDC) involves selling the asset, which is a taxable transaction in the US. Users should track gains and losses for tax reporting. The card has certain merchant restrictions, including securities broker-dealers, gambling services, and cryptocurrency businesses. Coinbase also offers the separate Coinbase One Card, a credit card product that earns Bitcoin rewards.
Card B — Coinbase One Card
The Coinbase One Card is a credit card on the American Express network, available exclusively to Coinbase One members. It stands out as one of the highest crypto rewards credit cards available in the US, offering up to 4% back in Bitcoin. The card is issued by First Electronic Bank and comes with a metal design etched with text from Bitcoin’s Genesis Block.
Rewards
The card’s reward rate is tiered based on the user’s “Assets on Coinbase” (AOC):
- 2% back for AOC under $10,000
- 2.5% back for AOC between $10,000 and $49,999.99
- 3% back for AOC between $50,000 and $199,999.99
- 4% back for AOC of $200,000 or more
The elevated rates (above 2%) are capped at $10,000 in eligible purchases per calendar month, after which rewards drop to 2%. Rewards are deposited as Bitcoin directly into the user’s Coinbase account.
Coinbase One Membership
A paid Coinbase One subscription is required to hold the card. The basic tier costs $4.99/month or $49.99/year. If the membership lapses, the card account may be closed. Membership benefits include zero trading fees on the first $500 of monthly trades, competitive USDC yield, and $10/month in Base network gas credits.
Benefits
- No annual fee on the card itself and no foreign transaction fees.
- American Express network benefits including purchase protection, extended warranty, travel insurance, and access to Amex Offers and Experiences.
- Rewards settle immediately when a purchase posts.
- Flexible repayment from a linked bank account or crypto held at Coinbase.
Important Considerations
The card is managed entirely within the Coinbase mobile app, with no desktop web access for card features. Some users have reported limited customer support for disputes compared to traditional credit cards. The membership fee acts as an effective annual cost, so users should calculate their break-even based on expected spend and rewards tier.