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For crypto enthusiasts, crypto credit cards allow you to earn Bitcoin and other digital currencies on your regular spending. If you're new to cryptocurrency, this type of rewards credit card could help you get started. And if you're already investing, you can use one to add to your crypto wallet.
To help you find the best crypto credit card, our experts have put together a list of the top options.
Great for: Crypto purchases with your rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24% to 29.24%, Variable
Rewards Earn 3% back on your top spend category, 2% on the next category, and 1% on other purchases
1% - 3% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
Offers an unlimited 2% and 3% rewards in the top two eligible spending categories, has no annual fee, and syncs with the Venmo app for added convenience. Read Full Review
Great for: Up to 3% back in crypto rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
12.99% - 23.99%, variable
Rewards Earn up to 3% back on dining ($6,000 annual spending cap), 2% on groceries, and 1% on other purchases. Crypto rewards will automatically be deposited into the cardholders’ Gemini account
1% - 3% crypto rewards
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
Offers a simple way to earn crypto on your purchases, but it won't replace any of the top rewards cards. The rewards rates are low, and crypto rewards are notoriously hard to put to practical use. However, there's no annual card fee or surcharge to turn rewards into crypto, so it may be useful for those who want to dabble in crypto without extra fees.
Great for: Prepaid card with crypto rewards
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
N/A since it's a prepaid card
Rewards Depends on card tiers: Midnight Blue, 0% back Ruby Steel, 1% back Royal Indigo and Jade Green, 2% back Frosted Rose Gold and Icy White, 3% back Obsidian, 5% back
1% - 5% back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer
N/A
This prepaid debit card has some lucrative perks that are useful for crypto enthusiasts and even those who aren't. But consider that significant funds need to be staked to qualify for the best benefits.
At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and 0% intro APR offers to evaluate our ratings.
Our highest-rated credit cards have:
We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best card recommendations. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.
TIP
Investing in crypto can be extremely risky. We think investors should approach these assets like any other technological investment — with a long-term mindset and the expectation of ups and downs. The Fool realizes there may be opportunities for investors. We do actively recommend select cryptocurrencies to our community. But we encourage everyone to be well versed prior to investing to understand the potential risks and rewards.
Choosing the best crypto credit card can be much different than shopping for any other type of credit card. Here are the things to look at to find the right one.
For the most part, crypto credit cards are issued in partnership with platforms that let you buy and sell cryptocurrency. They're also usually only available to that platform's users. For example, if you want the Gemini Credit Card™, a Gemini account will be created if your card application is approved. This is something you wouldn't need to consider with most of the best credit cards.
If you already have an account with any cryptocurrency apps and exchanges, start by checking whether they offer their own credit cards. This is the most convenient option, since you're already a client. However, if you're willing to open accounts with other platforms, it's also a good idea to compare all your card options.
Each crypto credit card has different types of cryptocurrencies you can earn as rewards. Most cards give you at least a few options, but the number varies quite a bit.
If you're flexible about which cryptocurrency you receive, then you can pick any crypto credit card. But if you want to earn a specific cryptocurrency, look for a credit card that offers it.
The rewards rate is how much a crypto credit card earns on purchases. Some crypto cards earn one flat rate across all purchase categories. Other cards offer higher rates in bonus categories and a lower rate on purchases outside of those bonus categories.
What's most important is to pick a crypto credit card with a good rewards rate. Flat-rate cards tend to work well for just about anyone, but if you have high spending in certain categories, you could benefit more from a bonus category card.
These can make a big difference in which crypto credit card is the best value. Here are the most common types of fees to look for as you compare credit cards:
Card | Rating | Great For |
---|---|---|
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Crypto purchases with your rewards |
|
Gemini Credit Card™
|
Rating image, 3.00 out of 5 stars.
3.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Up to 3% back in crypto rewards |
Crypto.com Card
|
Rating image, 3.00 out of 5 stars.
3.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
Great For: Prepaid card with crypto rewards |
A crypto credit card is one that offers cryptocurrency rewards on your spending. It works similarly to a cash back credit card in that it earns a set rate, such as 1.5%, on purchases you make. The difference is that crypto credit cards can then convert that cash into cryptocurrency for the cardholder.
Here's a basic example of how this would work with a crypto rewards credit card that earns 1.5% back on purchases:
Most crypto credit cards let you choose from different cryptocurrencies, although certain cards only offer one cryptocurrency or a small number of them.
It's worth noting that not all crypto credit cards only offer rewards in cryptocurrency. Some also give you other options, such as cash back. They're still considered crypto credit cards as long as cryptocurrency is one of your reward options.
Here are the main pros and cons of crypto credit cards:
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Earn cryptocurrency through your normal spending | Selection of crypto credit cards is limited, so you have fewer card options |
Crypto rewards could increase significantly in value | Cryptocurrency is volatile and could also plummet in value |
Most crypto credit cards don't charge an annual fee | Timing of the crypto purchase depends on the card issuer |
Crypto credit cards and crypto debit cards are both popular, and it's easy to get them confused. But just like traditional credit and debit cards, they're two different payment methods.
When you use a crypto credit card, you're borrowing money from the credit card issuer. The card issuer pays for your purchases upfront, and you repay it later. There can be interest charges, but if you pay your card's full balance by the due date, you'll avoid interest on your purchases.
When you use a crypto debit card, you're spending your own funds. A cryptocurrency debit card is normally connected to your account on the card issuer's crypto platform. Transactions are deducted from your cryptocurrency balance. There are also prepaid crypto debit cards that you can load with funds, either in crypto or fiat currency (traditional currency, like the U.S. dollar). Our pick, the Crypto.com Card is a prepaid debit card essentially.
Crypto credit cards earn rewards on your purchases in cryptocurrency. This type of rewards card earns a percentage back, such as 1.5%, on the cash value of your purchase. That amount is then converted to a cryptocurrency. If you have a card that earns 1.5% back in Bitcoin rewards, then $1,000 in purchases would earn you $15 worth of Bitcoin.
Crypto credit card rewards are taxable if you sell them after they've increased in value. Although credit card rewards generally aren't taxable, crypto rewards are different because they can fluctuate in value. You don't need to pay taxes when you receive crypto rewards, but you do if you realize a gain on them -- meaning you sell or use them in any way after their price has gone up.
You need a credit score of 670 or higher to qualify for most crypto credit cards. These cards are usually only available to consumers with a credit score in the good credit to excellent credit range. There are, however, some exceptions that you can qualify for even if you have a lower credit score.
Cryptocurrency is still a relatively new and unregulated market and there are risks involved -- even with carrying a crypto credit card. If your crypto platform or card issuer fails, you might lose the rewards you've earned. Another risk is that cryptocurrency prices are extremely volatile, so the value of your rewards could fluctuate dramatically.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Motley Fool Money is 100% owned and operated by The Motley Fool. Our knowledgeable team of personal finance editors and analysts are employed by The Motley Fool and held to the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
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