Rewards and cashback
The headline benefit of any crypto card is the cashback rate. The gap between these two cards is the single largest reason to pick one over the other.
Card A — Crypto.com Prepaid Card
The Crypto.com Prepaid Visa Card is a US-based prepaid card that must be topped up before spending. Unlike the company’s credit card product, this card requires users to load funds in advance. It is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank and is part of the broader Crypto.com Level Up rewards program.
Rewards and Tiers
The card is available in multiple tiers tied to the Level Up program:
- Midnight Blue: Free, 0% rewards
- Ruby Steel: $4.99/month or $49.90/year, or $500 CRO staking, 2% CRO rewards
- Jade Green/Royal Indigo: $29.99/month or $299.90/year, or $5,000 CRO staking, 3% CRO rewards
- Icy White/Rose Gold: $50,000 CRO staking, 4% CRO rewards
- Obsidian: $500,000 CRO staking, 5% CRO rewards
Monthly rewards caps apply to lower tiers ($25 for Ruby, $75 for Jade), while higher tiers have no limit. Rewards are paid in CRO tokens.
Benefits
Higher tiers include subscription rebates (Spotify, Netflix, Truth+), airport lounge access (for Pro and Private tiers), priority support, and exclusive event invitations. Free ATM withdrawals range from $200/month for the basic tier up to $1,000/month for Obsidian.
Important Considerations
The card is prepaid, not a debit or credit card, so it must be actively loaded with funds. All top-ups are limited to $25,000 per month. The Level Up program requires either a subscription fee or CRO staking, which represents a significant upfront commitment for higher tiers. Rewards and benefits are subject to change at Crypto.com’s discretion.
Card B — 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.