5 Best Crypto Credit Cards in 2024
Looking for a crypto credit card, with the best rewards, cashback, or other perks? We've rounded up the 5 best crypto credit cards to research in 2024
5 best crypto credit cards
There’s plenty of criteria to consider when you’re picking a crypto credit card. Here we look at 5 of the best, following 7 key criteria. (Learn how we picked this list.)
Issuer | Fees | Rewards | Trustpilot Score | Cryptocurrencies Supported |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nexo | Up to 13.9% APR | 0.5% BTC or 2% NEXO | 4.6 | 60+ |
Gemini | Variable APR up to 29.74% | Up to 3% in 40 cryptos | 1.2 | 40+ |
Upgrade | Up to 29.99% APR | 1.5% BTC | 4.6 | 1 |
Brex | N/A | BTC & ETH rewards for points | 3.3 | 2 |
Venmo | Up to 28.49% APR | BTC, ETH, BCH, LTC rewards | 1.2 | 4 |
All these cards come with their individual pros and cons, so let’s take a look at each in more depth.
Nexo Crypto Credit Card
The Nexo Crypto Credit Card is considered one of the best crypto credit cards on the market currently - allowing you to use your crypto holdings for credit line rates, and effectively increase your liquidity without disposing of your asset.
You can get funds starting from 0% APR, and increasing up to 13.9% APR depending on your individual circumstances, and in even better news, Nexo requires no minimum monthly payments, annual fees, or inactivity fees.
Nexo users can opt for a virtual card that integrates with both Apple and Google Pay, or request a physical card.
As Nexo has paired with Mastercard to deliver their crypto credit card - the card is accepted by more than 90 million merchants around the world and comes with up to 10 free ATM withdrawals a month.
As well as all of this, when you spend using your Nexo crypto credit card - you'll earn rewards, either 2% cashback in NEXO tokens or 0.5% cashback in BTC.
When it comes to security, Nexo allows you to manage a number of security settings yourself. You can track transactions with instant spending notifications and change your pin or freeze your card in just a few clicks in the app, should you ever need to.
Finally, possibly one of the biggest perks of the Nexo Crypto Credit Card is the tax benefits. Normally, when you spend crypto, most tax offices view this as a disposal, and therefore you'll pay Capital Gains Tax on any perceived gain (so any increase in price between when you acquired your crypto and when you spent it). However, with Nexo, you can spend without ever disposing of your crypto, letting you increase your liquidity without increasing your tax bill.
Nexo Crypto Credit Card key features at a glance:
Free to get your card, with no annual fees or minimum repayments. Just activate it in the app.
Integrates with Apple and Google Pay.
Credit lines from 0% to 13.9% APR.
Earn 2% NEXO or 0.5% BTC cashback.
Use your crypto as collateral without tax implications from spending.
Mastercard credit card that’s accepted by more than 90 million merchants worldwide.
Currently only available to citizens in the EEA (European Economic Area).
According to feedback from over 11,000 users on Trustpilot, Nexo has received a positive rating with an average score of 4.6. While there aren't many reviews specifically for Nexo's crypto credit card on Trustpilot, a few individual reviews speak positively of it. Read the reviews here.
Upgrade Crypto Credit Card
The Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card is more akin to a traditional credit card, that so happens to have unlimited 1.5% Bitcoin rewards on all purchases once repaid.
It's a Visa credit card so it's widely accepted by the majority of merchants and there are no annual fees involved, but there are monthly minimum repayments due based on a fixed rate repayment schedule and a variable APR between 14.99% to 29.99%.
Credit lines between $500 up to $25,000 are available depending on your credit score and there are a variety of bonuses available to new users or users opening other Upgrade products.
Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card is available as a contactless virtual card and integrates with Apple and Google Pay.
Upgrade Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card key features at a glance:
No annual fees, but there are minimum monthly repayments.
Available as a virtual card on Google and Apple Pay.
14.99% to 29.99% APR.
1.5% unlimited BTC rewards on purchases once repaid.
Credit lines up to $25,000.
Only available in specific US states.
Based on the crypto credit card reviews on Trustpilot, it seems that Upgrade's crypto credit card is receiving positive feedback, with over 39,000 users giving it an average score of 4.6 out of 5. Read the reviews here.
Brex Crypto Credit Card
Brex isn't a card for everyone, but it's a worthy option for small businesses looking for a global corporate card with crypto rewards.
Brex Credit Card is available as a physical or virtual card and it's accepted worldwide. There are various credit limits available with variable APR, as well as custom controls and real-time expense tracking.
When you spend with a Brex card, you'll earn points for doing so - it effectively works out as 1 point per $1 spent, but if it's your only company card, you'll earn higher rates with up to 7 points per $1 spent for specific purchases like rideshares and taxis.
How does crypto fit into this? Well, Brex Card users can opt to redeem their Brex rewards for Bitcoin or Ethereum instead. You'll get 70 cents of crypto per 100 points and you can redeem these with a Coinbase account.
As well as this, new users get a 50,000-point signup bonus if they spend $9,000 in the first month.
Brex Card key features at a glance:
Credit card for small businesses and startups.
No annual fees.
Points-based reward scheme.
Redeem points for crypto using Coinbase.
Variable APR and credit lines available.
On Trustpilot, the reviews for the crypto credit card are varied, with users giving Brex an average rating of 3.3 out of 5. Read the reviews here.
Gemini Crypto Credit Card
The Gemini Credit Card is a Mastercard in partnership with the popular crypto exchange, Gemini.
The Gemini Crypto Credit Card offers a variable APR between 17.74% to 29.74%, and there are no annual fees related to the card.
As well as this, when you spend on your Gemini card, you'll earn crypto rewards. You can pick from Bitcoin, Ethereum, or more than 40 other cryptocurrencies available on the exchange. You'll get up to 3% back on dining, 2% on groceries, or 1% on everything else.
When it comes to your rewards, you'll receive them immediately, the second you swipe your card - so you don't have to wait a given time period to claim your rewards.
Regarding security, Gemini Credit Card users get the benefits of market-leading crypto exchange security, plus Mastercard security benefits like Zero Liability Protection and ID Theft Protection.
The Gemini card is available for residents of all 50 US states and comes as both a physical and virtual card.
Gemini Crypto Credit Card key features at a glance:
Free card with no annual fees, available in-app.
Available as a virtual or digital card.
17.74% to 29.74% APR.
Up to 3% crypto rewards depending on purchase.
Pick from 40 cryptocurrencies as your reward.
Currently only available to US residents.
While Gemini's Trustpilot score may not be great, it's important to note that users are reviewing the crypto exchange more frequently than the Gemini credit card itself. According to Gemini's crypto credit card review by Go Banking, it receives an average score of 4 out of 5, indicating a positive reception among users. Read the review here.
Venmo Crypto Credit Card
Last up is the Venmo Credit Card. The Venmo Credit Card is a Visa Card that comes with all the same perks your Venmo account does - including a QR code to help you split the bill with friends, and you can manage everything in your Venmo app.
When you spend with a Venmo Credit Card, you can earn up to 3% cashback depending on the spending category. This gets a little confusing, but essentially there are 8 spending categories according to Venmo - travel, transport, groceries, entertainment, dining & nightlife, bills & utilities, health & beauty, and gas. You'll then earn 3% cashback on your top spending category, 2% cashback on the next, and 1% cashback on all other eligible purchases.
So where does the crypto come in? With a feature called Cash Back to Crypto. Users can use this feature in the app to automatically purchase crypto using their earned rewards. You can pick from Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, or Bitcoin Cash currently, and you can then hold or sell your crypto in Venmo too.
The Venmo Credit Card is however only available to users in the US, and while there's no annual fee, you'll pay APR between 19.49% to 28.49%.
Venmo Credit Card key features at a glance:
No annual fees.
Up to 28.49% APR.
Up to 3% cashback.
Automated crypto rewards and 4 cryptocurrencies supported.
Only available in the US.
Despite a less-than-stellar Trustpilot score for Venmo's banking app, the Venmo's crypto credit card reviews are positive, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5, according to Go Banking. Read the review here.
What is a crypto credit card?
A crypto credit card is a payment card that allows users to spend a credit line of their choosing, potentially using crypto as collateral, and earn rewards in crypto. You can also get crypto debit cards that allow you to spend a balance of crypto more easily.
Crypto credit cards are now offered by major payment processors like Visa and Mastercard, often in partnership with large crypto businesses like Gemini and Nexo.
How do crypto credit cards work?
Crypto credit cards work the same way any other credit card would work - it’s just that your balance or rewards will be in crypto. Otherwise, you’ll be able to spend as you would with any other traditional credit card.
Why use a crypto credit card?
The main reason people use a crypto credit card as opposed to a traditional credit card is so that they can more easily spend their crypto. While crypto has moved closer to the mainstream in recent years, many merchants still don’t accept crypto as a means of payment. A crypto credit card can help you spend crypto more easily, or earn crypto rewards for spending. In some instances, it can also help you from a tax perspective by letting you effectively spend your crypto without creating a taxable event.
Pros and cons of crypto credit cards
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
More easily spend crypto | Spending crypto may create additional tax implications compared to fiat purchases |
Earn crypto rewards | Price volatility may reduce value of rewards |
Spend without disposing of crypto | May create additional exchange and network fees |
Spend crypto more easily | Generally only major cryptocurrencies supported |
Often lower APR than traditional credit cards | Earning crypto rewards may create additional tax implications |
Crypto credit cards tax
Tax implications matter when it comes to crypto.
Crypto tax varies depending on where you live (so read our guides for more information in your country) but, generally, spending crypto is viewed as a disposal and therefore if you have a capital gain from the disposal it may be subject to Capital Gains Tax.
However, with cards like the Nexo Crypto Credit Card, as you’re using your crypto as collateral in return for a credit line, this isn’t the case and may actually help you increase your liquidity without creating a taxable event.
Learn more in our guide on how crypto credit and debit cards are taxed.
Are crypto credit cards safe?
Yes, the majority of reputable crypto credit cards are safe. These cards are generally created in partnership with large payment processors like Visa or Mastercard and as such, come with all the security benefits and features you’d expect. As well as this, as partnerships often involve large crypto exchanges like Gemini or Coinbase, you’ll also benefit from market-leading security practices in the crypto industry too.
All this said, your funds are only ever as safe as you are. Never give out your personal details or banking information to strangers and be cautious and aware of common scams.
Where can I use a crypto credit card?
You can use most crypto credit cards anywhere you’d use a traditional credit card, so with any merchant that accepts Mastercard or Visa - so the vast majority of stores worldwide!
Can I replace my credit card with a crypto credit card?
Sure, if you want to, but you should closely compare the risks and benefits a traditional credit card may bring alongside the benefits and risks of a crypto credit card. You may benefit from having both a crypto credit card and a traditional credit card depending on your financial circumstances.
How we rated the best crypto credit cards to consider
There’s plenty of criteria to consider when you’re picking a crypto credit card, including:
Fees: Not all crypto credit cards come free, and most of them will have specific transaction fees or potentially annual fees. So you’ll need to compare the different options available to you to find the best one for your budget and needs.
Rewards: Different cards offer different rewards. From cashback to discounts to other perks, you should choose a card where the rewards are most valuable to you.
Security features: Encryption, 2FA, fraud protection, and more, all these features exist to keep you and your crypto safe - so you’ll need your crypto credit card to have the best in market security.
Customer support: If you’ve got a problem at any point, you want to know it’ll be resolved quickly, so customer support matters. Checking out Trustpilot reviews and more can help you find an issuer with a great customer support team.
Reputation: Whether it’s the exchange itself or knowing you’re using a global payment processor like Mastercard, knowing you can trust your card issuer is vital.
Compatibility: Some cards only work with certain cryptocurrencies, so make sure the card you choose supports the currencies you want to use.
It’s a lot to ponder, which is why we’ve taken all this into consideration when assessing the best crypto credit cards for 2024.