ether.fi Card vs Fold Bitcoin Credit Card (2026)

Our verdict: ether.fi Card

Pick the ether.fi Card if you are an ether.fi Club member and want a flat 3% back in Bitcoin on every purchase, with no need to engage with bonus mechanics. Pick the Fold Bitcoin Credit Card if you want a 1.5% base rate with no membership requirement, and you are willing to set up Auto-Stack or Direct-to-Bitcoin to push the effective rate toward 4%. For casual spenders, Fold is the lower-friction option; for Club members, ether.fi's flat 3% is the stronger rate.

Quick comparison

Card A ether.fi Card

Card offering up to 3% cashback for ether.fi Club members, funded by crypto.

Type: Crypto (debit/credit)
Network: other
Status: Accepting applications
Regions: Club members

Visit issuer →

Card B Fold Bitcoin Credit Card

US credit card that earns up to 4% back in bitcoin rewards on purchases, with a 1.5% base rate and bonus rewards for Fold members.

Type: Credit
Network: visa
Status: Accepting applications
Issuer: Celtic Bank
Regions: US

Visit issuer →

Overview

The ether.fi Card and the Fold Bitcoin Credit Card are both Visa-network cards that pay rewards in Bitcoin, and both are aimed at users who want to accumulate BTC through everyday spending. They differ on almost every other axis: ether.fi requires Club membership, pays a flat 3% back, and runs on the ether.fi network. Fold has no membership requirement, pays a 1.5% base rate, and offers behavior-based bonuses that can push the effective rate up to 4% for engaged users. This page compares the two on the dimensions that drive the decision.

What actually matters

Each factor below is something a real cardholder needs to decide. We walk through both cards' positions on the same question, then summarize.

Reward rate and structure

ether.fi Card pays a flat 3% back in Bitcoin, with monthly caps ranging from $2k to $50k by Club tier. Fold Bitcoin Credit Card pays 1.5% base on every purchase with no cap, plus behavior-based bonuses up to 2% additional for Auto-Stack / Direct-to-Bitcoin and 0.5% for paying the statement in Bitcoin. The headline rates favor ether.fi; the all-in rate can match for engaged Fold users.

Card A — ether.fi Card

The ether.fi Card is a DeFi-native credit card that lets users spend using their crypto balance while earning cashback. It is designed for ether.fi Club members and offers a non-custodial approach where users remain in control of their assets. The card supports both virtual and physical formats and is accepted at over 100 million locations worldwide via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Rewards

Club members earn up to 3% cashback on card purchases. The exact rate and monthly cap depend on the Club membership tier:

Core: 3% cashback up to $2,000/month
Luxe: 3% cashback up to $10,000/month
Pinnacle: 3% cashback up to $50,000/month
VIP: unlimited 3% cashback

All tiers earn 3,000 membership points for every $1,000 spent. Additionally, members receive 1% cashback on purchases made by their referrals.

Benefits

Non-custodial security model where users retain control of their crypto.
IBAN and SWIFT transfer capabilities for fiat movement.
Concierge services and airport lounge access.
Hotel discounts advertised up to 65% for members.
Purchase protection, extended warranty, auto rental insurance, and baggage coverage.
Corporate card programs available for crypto-native businesses.

Important Considerations

The card is tied to ether.fi Club membership, which requires holding and staking ETHFI tokens or meeting other membership criteria. The card is not directly affiliated with the ether.fi protocol and is issued subject to separate terms. FX fees are 0% on EUR and USD transactions, but 1% elsewhere. ATM withdrawals carry a 2% fee.

Card B — Fold Bitcoin Credit Card

The Fold Bitcoin Credit Card is a Visa credit card issued by Celtic Bank that is built specifically for Bitcoin enthusiasts. Launched by Fold, Inc. (a publicly traded Bitcoin financial services company), the card offers a flat-rate Bitcoin rewards program with behavior-based bonuses. It is designed as a mobile-first product that turns everyday spending into a Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Rewards

All cardholders earn a base rate of 1.5% back in Bitcoin on every eligible purchase with no cap. Additional bonuses can push the effective rate up to 4%:

Auto-Stack and Direct-to-Bitcoin bonus: Up to 2% additional on the first $2,000 of monthly spend for users who set up recurring Bitcoin purchases or direct deposits.
Pay-in-Bitcoin bonus: An extra 0.5% when paying the statement balance using Bitcoin held in a Fold account.

Rewards are calculated at the time of authorization and enter a 30-day lock period after the transaction settles before they can be withdrawn. The rewards account balance is subject to a $10,000 limit.

Benefits

No annual fee.
Real-time reward tracking in the Fold app.
Instant provisioning to Apple Pay and Google Pay upon approval.
Pre-filled applications for verified Fold users with quick decisions.
Gift card marketplace for additional Bitcoin rewards at popular merchants.

Important Considerations

The card requires a Fold account, which may have separate fees. The bonus rewards structure is somewhat complex, requiring users to engage with Fold’s Auto-Stack or Direct-to-Bitcoin features to reach the top rates. Rewards are paid in Bitcoin, so their USD value fluctuates with the market. Paying the bill with Bitcoin adds a 0.5% bonus but involves selling Bitcoin, which may be a taxable event.

Eligibility and access

ether.fi Card requires ether.fi Club membership (ETHFI staking or other criteria). Fold Bitcoin Credit Card only requires a Fold account, which is open to US residents and has no staking requirement. Fold is the more accessible product for users who do not already hold ETHFI.

Card A — ether.fi Card

The ether.fi Card is a DeFi-native credit card that lets users spend using their crypto balance while earning cashback. It is designed for ether.fi Club members and offers a non-custodial approach where users remain in control of their assets. The card supports both virtual and physical formats and is accepted at over 100 million locations worldwide via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Rewards

Club members earn up to 3% cashback on card purchases. The exact rate and monthly cap depend on the Club membership tier:

Core: 3% cashback up to $2,000/month
Luxe: 3% cashback up to $10,000/month
Pinnacle: 3% cashback up to $50,000/month
VIP: unlimited 3% cashback

All tiers earn 3,000 membership points for every $1,000 spent. Additionally, members receive 1% cashback on purchases made by their referrals.

Benefits

Non-custodial security model where users retain control of their crypto.
IBAN and SWIFT transfer capabilities for fiat movement.
Concierge services and airport lounge access.
Hotel discounts advertised up to 65% for members.
Purchase protection, extended warranty, auto rental insurance, and baggage coverage.
Corporate card programs available for crypto-native businesses.

Important Considerations

The card is tied to ether.fi Club membership, which requires holding and staking ETHFI tokens or meeting other membership criteria. The card is not directly affiliated with the ether.fi protocol and is issued subject to separate terms. FX fees are 0% on EUR and USD transactions, but 1% elsewhere. ATM withdrawals carry a 2% fee.

Card B — Fold Bitcoin Credit Card

The Fold Bitcoin Credit Card is a Visa credit card issued by Celtic Bank that is built specifically for Bitcoin enthusiasts. Launched by Fold, Inc. (a publicly traded Bitcoin financial services company), the card offers a flat-rate Bitcoin rewards program with behavior-based bonuses. It is designed as a mobile-first product that turns everyday spending into a Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Rewards

All cardholders earn a base rate of 1.5% back in Bitcoin on every eligible purchase with no cap. Additional bonuses can push the effective rate up to 4%:

Auto-Stack and Direct-to-Bitcoin bonus: Up to 2% additional on the first $2,000 of monthly spend for users who set up recurring Bitcoin purchases or direct deposits.
Pay-in-Bitcoin bonus: An extra 0.5% when paying the statement balance using Bitcoin held in a Fold account.

Rewards are calculated at the time of authorization and enter a 30-day lock period after the transaction settles before they can be withdrawn. The rewards account balance is subject to a $10,000 limit.

Benefits

No annual fee.
Real-time reward tracking in the Fold app.
Instant provisioning to Apple Pay and Google Pay upon approval.
Pre-filled applications for verified Fold users with quick decisions.
Gift card marketplace for additional Bitcoin rewards at popular merchants.

Important Considerations

The card requires a Fold account, which may have separate fees. The bonus rewards structure is somewhat complex, requiring users to engage with Fold’s Auto-Stack or Direct-to-Bitcoin features to reach the top rates. Rewards are paid in Bitcoin, so their USD value fluctuates with the market. Paying the bill with Bitcoin adds a 0.5% bonus but involves selling Bitcoin, which may be a taxable event.

Annual and ongoing fees

Neither card charges an annual fee. ether.fi carries the opportunity cost of locked ETHFI tokens; Fold has no membership but its bonus structure requires users to engage with Fold's Auto-Stack or Direct-to-Bitcoin features. Both have indirect costs that affect effective yield.

Card A — ether.fi Card

The ether.fi Card is a DeFi-native credit card that lets users spend using their crypto balance while earning cashback. It is designed for ether.fi Club members and offers a non-custodial approach where users remain in control of their assets. The card supports both virtual and physical formats and is accepted at over 100 million locations worldwide via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Rewards

Club members earn up to 3% cashback on card purchases. The exact rate and monthly cap depend on the Club membership tier:

Core: 3% cashback up to $2,000/month
Luxe: 3% cashback up to $10,000/month
Pinnacle: 3% cashback up to $50,000/month
VIP: unlimited 3% cashback

All tiers earn 3,000 membership points for every $1,000 spent. Additionally, members receive 1% cashback on purchases made by their referrals.

Benefits

Non-custodial security model where users retain control of their crypto.
IBAN and SWIFT transfer capabilities for fiat movement.
Concierge services and airport lounge access.
Hotel discounts advertised up to 65% for members.
Purchase protection, extended warranty, auto rental insurance, and baggage coverage.
Corporate card programs available for crypto-native businesses.

Important Considerations

The card is tied to ether.fi Club membership, which requires holding and staking ETHFI tokens or meeting other membership criteria. The card is not directly affiliated with the ether.fi protocol and is issued subject to separate terms. FX fees are 0% on EUR and USD transactions, but 1% elsewhere. ATM withdrawals carry a 2% fee.

Card B — Fold Bitcoin Credit Card

The Fold Bitcoin Credit Card is a Visa credit card issued by Celtic Bank that is built specifically for Bitcoin enthusiasts. Launched by Fold, Inc. (a publicly traded Bitcoin financial services company), the card offers a flat-rate Bitcoin rewards program with behavior-based bonuses. It is designed as a mobile-first product that turns everyday spending into a Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Rewards

All cardholders earn a base rate of 1.5% back in Bitcoin on every eligible purchase with no cap. Additional bonuses can push the effective rate up to 4%:

Auto-Stack and Direct-to-Bitcoin bonus: Up to 2% additional on the first $2,000 of monthly spend for users who set up recurring Bitcoin purchases or direct deposits.
Pay-in-Bitcoin bonus: An extra 0.5% when paying the statement balance using Bitcoin held in a Fold account.

Rewards are calculated at the time of authorization and enter a 30-day lock period after the transaction settles before they can be withdrawn. The rewards account balance is subject to a $10,000 limit.

Benefits

No annual fee.
Real-time reward tracking in the Fold app.
Instant provisioning to Apple Pay and Google Pay upon approval.
Pre-filled applications for verified Fold users with quick decisions.
Gift card marketplace for additional Bitcoin rewards at popular merchants.

Important Considerations

The card requires a Fold account, which may have separate fees. The bonus rewards structure is somewhat complex, requiring users to engage with Fold’s Auto-Stack or Direct-to-Bitcoin features to reach the top rates. Rewards are paid in Bitcoin, so their USD value fluctuates with the market. Paying the bill with Bitcoin adds a 0.5% bonus but involves selling Bitcoin, which may be a taxable event.

Card network and acceptance

Fold Bitcoin Credit Card runs on Visa, giving it full international acceptance. ether.fi Card runs on the ether.fi network and is provisioned through Apple Pay and Google Pay. For in-person and international spending, Fold's Visa acceptance is a structural advantage.

Card A — ether.fi Card

The ether.fi Card is a DeFi-native credit card that lets users spend using their crypto balance while earning cashback. It is designed for ether.fi Club members and offers a non-custodial approach where users remain in control of their assets. The card supports both virtual and physical formats and is accepted at over 100 million locations worldwide via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Rewards

Club members earn up to 3% cashback on card purchases. The exact rate and monthly cap depend on the Club membership tier:

Core: 3% cashback up to $2,000/month
Luxe: 3% cashback up to $10,000/month
Pinnacle: 3% cashback up to $50,000/month
VIP: unlimited 3% cashback

All tiers earn 3,000 membership points for every $1,000 spent. Additionally, members receive 1% cashback on purchases made by their referrals.

Benefits

Non-custodial security model where users retain control of their crypto.
IBAN and SWIFT transfer capabilities for fiat movement.
Concierge services and airport lounge access.
Hotel discounts advertised up to 65% for members.
Purchase protection, extended warranty, auto rental insurance, and baggage coverage.
Corporate card programs available for crypto-native businesses.

Important Considerations

The card is tied to ether.fi Club membership, which requires holding and staking ETHFI tokens or meeting other membership criteria. The card is not directly affiliated with the ether.fi protocol and is issued subject to separate terms. FX fees are 0% on EUR and USD transactions, but 1% elsewhere. ATM withdrawals carry a 2% fee.

Card B — Fold Bitcoin Credit Card

The Fold Bitcoin Credit Card is a Visa credit card issued by Celtic Bank that is built specifically for Bitcoin enthusiasts. Launched by Fold, Inc. (a publicly traded Bitcoin financial services company), the card offers a flat-rate Bitcoin rewards program with behavior-based bonuses. It is designed as a mobile-first product that turns everyday spending into a Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Rewards

All cardholders earn a base rate of 1.5% back in Bitcoin on every eligible purchase with no cap. Additional bonuses can push the effective rate up to 4%:

Auto-Stack and Direct-to-Bitcoin bonus: Up to 2% additional on the first $2,000 of monthly spend for users who set up recurring Bitcoin purchases or direct deposits.
Pay-in-Bitcoin bonus: An extra 0.5% when paying the statement balance using Bitcoin held in a Fold account.

Rewards are calculated at the time of authorization and enter a 30-day lock period after the transaction settles before they can be withdrawn. The rewards account balance is subject to a $10,000 limit.

Benefits

No annual fee.
Real-time reward tracking in the Fold app.
Instant provisioning to Apple Pay and Google Pay upon approval.
Pre-filled applications for verified Fold users with quick decisions.
Gift card marketplace for additional Bitcoin rewards at popular merchants.

Important Considerations

The card requires a Fold account, which may have separate fees. The bonus rewards structure is somewhat complex, requiring users to engage with Fold’s Auto-Stack or Direct-to-Bitcoin features to reach the top rates. Rewards are paid in Bitcoin, so their USD value fluctuates with the market. Paying the bill with Bitcoin adds a 0.5% bonus but involves selling Bitcoin, which may be a taxable event.

Reward philosophy

ether.fi Card is built around a flat-rate, no-tracking rewards model. Fold is built around a behavior-based model that rewards users who commit to Fold's broader Bitcoin accumulation features. Choose based on whether you want a flat rate or are willing to engage with bonus mechanics for higher effective yield.

Card A — ether.fi Card

The ether.fi Card is a DeFi-native credit card that lets users spend using their crypto balance while earning cashback. It is designed for ether.fi Club members and offers a non-custodial approach where users remain in control of their assets. The card supports both virtual and physical formats and is accepted at over 100 million locations worldwide via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Rewards

Club members earn up to 3% cashback on card purchases. The exact rate and monthly cap depend on the Club membership tier:

Core: 3% cashback up to $2,000/month
Luxe: 3% cashback up to $10,000/month
Pinnacle: 3% cashback up to $50,000/month
VIP: unlimited 3% cashback

All tiers earn 3,000 membership points for every $1,000 spent. Additionally, members receive 1% cashback on purchases made by their referrals.

Benefits

Non-custodial security model where users retain control of their crypto.
IBAN and SWIFT transfer capabilities for fiat movement.
Concierge services and airport lounge access.
Hotel discounts advertised up to 65% for members.
Purchase protection, extended warranty, auto rental insurance, and baggage coverage.
Corporate card programs available for crypto-native businesses.

Important Considerations

The card is tied to ether.fi Club membership, which requires holding and staking ETHFI tokens or meeting other membership criteria. The card is not directly affiliated with the ether.fi protocol and is issued subject to separate terms. FX fees are 0% on EUR and USD transactions, but 1% elsewhere. ATM withdrawals carry a 2% fee.

Card B — Fold Bitcoin Credit Card

The Fold Bitcoin Credit Card is a Visa credit card issued by Celtic Bank that is built specifically for Bitcoin enthusiasts. Launched by Fold, Inc. (a publicly traded Bitcoin financial services company), the card offers a flat-rate Bitcoin rewards program with behavior-based bonuses. It is designed as a mobile-first product that turns everyday spending into a Bitcoin accumulation strategy.

Rewards

All cardholders earn a base rate of 1.5% back in Bitcoin on every eligible purchase with no cap. Additional bonuses can push the effective rate up to 4%:

Auto-Stack and Direct-to-Bitcoin bonus: Up to 2% additional on the first $2,000 of monthly spend for users who set up recurring Bitcoin purchases or direct deposits.
Pay-in-Bitcoin bonus: An extra 0.5% when paying the statement balance using Bitcoin held in a Fold account.

Rewards are calculated at the time of authorization and enter a 30-day lock period after the transaction settles before they can be withdrawn. The rewards account balance is subject to a $10,000 limit.

Benefits

No annual fee.
Real-time reward tracking in the Fold app.
Instant provisioning to Apple Pay and Google Pay upon approval.
Pre-filled applications for verified Fold users with quick decisions.
Gift card marketplace for additional Bitcoin rewards at popular merchants.

Important Considerations

The card requires a Fold account, which may have separate fees. The bonus rewards structure is somewhat complex, requiring users to engage with Fold’s Auto-Stack or Direct-to-Bitcoin features to reach the top rates. Rewards are paid in Bitcoin, so their USD value fluctuates with the market. Paying the bill with Bitcoin adds a 0.5% bonus but involves selling Bitcoin, which may be a taxable event.

Read the full reviews

Card A

ether.fi Card →

Card B

Fold Bitcoin Credit Card →