- >Best Crypto Credit Cards
- >Coinbase Card vs Crypto.com Card
Getting crypto-back rewards with every purchase, whether you are buying coffee or taking an Uber, is a powerful way to grow your crypto portfolio. Thanks to the partnership of crypto exchanges and global payment giants like Visa, it’s now possible to spend your crypto holdings offline – and get lucrative rewards, too. Crypto.com and Coinbase, two of the world’s leading exchanges, have joined in on the fun by launching their very own Visa debit cards.
So, why are these considered two of the best crypto credit cards, and which one is better? It depends on what you’re looking for. This article compares the Crypto.com Visa and the Coinbase Visa Debit to help you decide.
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A Quick Overview of the Crypto.com Visa Card
The Crypto.com Visa Card isn’t a debit card per se. It operates more like a prepaid card, requiring you to top up your balance with fiat currency or cryptocurrency to spend anywhere that accepts Visa payments. It’s also versatile for use with all kinds of online payments, like gambling at online casinos with Bitcoin and other altcoins.
There are six tiers of Crypto.com Visa cardholders, from Midnight Blue to the top-tier Prime. The more you “lockup” in CRO tokens, the higher the tier you’ll enter. This ranges from $500 worth of CRO to $1,000,000 worth of CRO.
The top tier is where you can bag 8% cashback on everyday spending and 10% rebates on travel spending. You can get free Netflix and Spotify subscriptions permanently as a member of one of the top three tiers. Members of the top three tiers can also get access to exclusive, real-world experiences like live sporting events in UFC, F1, and UEFA soccer.
Editor’s opinion: “In my view, this option brings incredible perks to the table, particularly with its rebates and free Netflix and Spotify memberships, making it a must-have for those who appreciate added value in their everyday purchases.”
- Up to 8% crypto cashback on all purchases
- Huge amount of available perks, including free Netflix, Spotify and Airport Lounge access
- Unique CRO staking model offers five different tiers of cards
- High-quality premium metal cards
Pros & Cons
Pros
Get up to 8% cashback on everyday spending and 10% on travel spending
Higher tiers provide free Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime and airport lounge access
Low fees
The higher tiers get a yield on staked CRO, giving you more bang for your buck
Cons
Huge staking requirement for top tier
All cashback rewards are in CRO
There are limits on monthly CRO rewards on lower-tiers
A Quick Overview of the Coinbase Debit Card
Like Crypto.com, the Coinbase card is a prepaid card backed by Visa. It allows you to spend your cryptocurrency holdings at any of the 40 million-plus points of sale worldwide. With incredible security features, unlimited crypto rewards, and the ability to switch between fiat and crypto, there is a lot to love.
The Coinbase Visa Debit card is linked to your Coinbase account and comes with several perks, including the support of nine crypto assets, up to 4% in crypto-back rewards, and zero monthly and annual fees.
Editor’s opinion: “What I really like about the Coinbase card is that you can choose how you want to be rewarded, and it is incredibly convenient to manage all of your staking and rewards all from one account.”
- Visa card backed by one of the most reliable companies in cryptocurrency
- Links to your Coinbase account
- Spend your crypto anywhere Visa is accepted
- Switch between cryptocurrencies on the fly
Pros and Cons
Pros
Enjoy up to 4% of your crypto back in rewards for everyday spending
Rewards are issued in various coins and are easily integrated with your free Coinbase wallet
Don’t pay a cent to own a Coinbase card each year
Strong reputation
Cons
Receive your rebates in a limited choice of cryptocurrencies
Only nine coins supported
Limited availability in some jurisdictions
Eligibility Requirements
The requirements for both of these options are fairly straightforward. Since neither of them is a credit card, activating it does not require credit checks or credit limits.
Additionally, no minimum amount of CRO tokens needs to be staked to access the Crypto.com Midnight Blue tier, making it accessible to a broader range of users. However, users must be prepared to lock up their CRO tokens to access higher tiers and better rewards.
While signing up for the Coinbase Visa Debit Card does not require any staking of assets, you will need to register for a Coinbase account before you can activate it. Besides, it is only available in the US (this does not include Hawaii).
Sign-up Process
Getting your account up and running on both platforms is a simple process. On Crypto.com, you’ll need to download the app and create an account. Once your account is created, you can order your card directly from the app. The whole process takes just a few minutes to complete.
If you want to take advantage of the added benefits included in the Ruby Steel, Royal Indigo, Jade Green, Frosted Rose Gold, Icy White, and Obsidian tiers – you will also need to lock up a certain amount of CRO tokens. This requires that you purchase the tokens and keep them in your crypto wallet for at least 365 days.
Similarly, signing up for the Coinbase card requires that you register and sign in to your account. Once your details have been verified, you can order the card from the Coinbase website or app.
Rewards & Perks
Now, for the fun bit. What really distinguishes these two offerings is the various rewards and benefits that they offer. Crypto.com offers excellent rebates, whereas Coinbase focuses on additional token rewards. Here’s what you can expect from each:
Crypto.com Visa Card
User rewards are plentiful for active users of a Crypto.com Visa Card. Depending on your tier status, you can get up to 8% cashback on everyday spending and 10% on travel spending.
If you have Spotify or Netflix subscriptions, you can also claim a 100% rebate for your subscription plans, refunded to you in Crypto.com’s CRO token. That’s worth up to $13.99 a month.
Higher-tier Crypto.com Visa cardholders get unlimited access to airport lounges as part of the Priority Pass scheme. There’s also no limit on how many CRO rewards you can earn on the Rose Gold, Icy White, Obsidian, and Prime tiers. Cardholders also get special access to a wide range of exclusive events and experiences.
Coinbase Visa Debit Card
The first thing to note is that cardholders do not have to pay any annual fees to use their Coinbase debit cards. Cardholders can also earn additional rewards as they use the card. These rewards come in the form of cryptocurrency tokens.
The Coinbase card rewards work on a rotating system, where cardholders get to choose new rewards each month. Certain reward offers expire over time, but the rewards earned do not expire. This system is easily managed via your Coinbase account.
Pricing & Fees
The Coinbase Visa Debit Card has an advantage over the Crypto.com Visa, when it comes to pricing and fees. Coinbase’s Debit Card has no monthly or annual fees. Additionally, there are no foreign transaction fees when using the Coinbase card abroad. It is, however, important to note that some ATM operators may charge you an additional fee. The Crypto.com Visa, on the other hand, does incur an annual fee, ATM withdrawal fees, interbank exchange fees, and even top-up fees. These fees are typically dependent on the cardholder tier.
Funding Options
Both cards offer a few different ways to fund your account. On Coinbase, you can link your bank account, debit card, or credit card to fund your account. You can also use PayPal to fund your Coinbase account, although some restrictions are in place.
Similarly, on Crypto.com, you can link your bank account, debit card, or credit card to fund your account. You can also use Crypto.com’s own CRO tokens to top up your account.
Optional Cryptocurrencies
Even though the main Coinbase exchange supports several coins, the Coinbase Visa Debit Card supports several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. It’s important to note that the 4% cashback is paid out in one of a limited choice of cryptocurrencies – and you can now pick which one.
The Crypto.com Visa card, on the other hand, only supports its own Cronos coin. There are no optional cryptocurrencies on the Crypto.com Visa.
A Closer Look at Some of the Standout Features
The Coinbase Visa Debit Card comes with a few standout features, such as support for nine different cryptocurrencies and zero ATM fees.
The Crypto.com Visa card stands out, especially for its 100% cash back on Spotify and Netflix subscriptions. Additionally, the card offers up to 8% cash back on everyday purchases, making it one of the best options on the market, but it requires a huge stake in CRO. In the end, it all depends on what your value most.
Crypto Card Clash: Coinbase Card vs Crypto.com Card Final Comparison
There are certainly many different factors to consider when you are comparing crypto cards and it can all get a bot overwhelming. Fortunately, we have summarized all the most important points at a glance:
Our Verdict: Coinbase Is More Streamlined, Crypto.com Offers More Perks
So, which option is better? The Coinbase Visa Debit Card or the Crypto.com Visa?
The answer is that it all depends. The Crypto.com Visa works best if you are in it for the rewards and perks. Do remember to keep a close eye on those that maximize your benefits. If you’re a heavy spender seeking the best rewards, then the Crypto.com Visa is the way forward. However, the Coinbase Card works best for regular cash withdrawers since there are no ATM fees to consider. The Coinbase Card also has a few other advantages, such as earning potential in crypto and its accessibility for first-time crypto users.
FAQs
Crypto.com is a well-established online cryptocurrency exchange founded in June 2016. The Crypto.com platform includes a crypto exchange where you can buy and sell crypto assets, a crypto wallet to store them in, a marketplace to trade non-fungible tokens (NFTs), as well as a native app allowing you to track your assets on the go.
Crypto.com is one of the most respected cryptocurrency exchanges due to its commitment to cybersecurity and user privacy, thanks largely to its spate of ISO certifications and PCIDSS compliance.
Founded in Silicon Valley in June 2012, Coinbase is one of the longest-standing cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. It’s currently the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the United States by traded volume, with revenues breaking the $3 billion barrier in 2023. The Nasdaq-listed firm now has users in over 100 countries worldwide.
Coinbase’s crypto exchange and wallets are said to safeguard crypto assets worth just about $273 billion. Coinbase users can also “stake” their crypto assets stored within Coinbase wallets and earn an annual yield.
This is all a matter of personal opinion. If you’re someone who would rather have lower transaction fees and bigger rewards from their debit card usage, Crypto.com may be a better option. However, if you’re looking for an intuitive platform that offers immediate appeal to beginner crypto investors with extensive educational resources, Coinbase is also an attractive platform.
Both the Coinbase Card and the Crypto.com Card are backed by the world’s leading digital payments provider, Visa. This is the second-largest facilitator of card payments on the planet after the China-based China UnionPay, handling around half of all card transactions made everywhere else outside of China and is, therefore, very trustworthy.
