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| By Marija Matic |
The crypto market is having its moment.
Total market capitalization hit an all-time high of $4.34 trillion today, while DeFi sits comfortably above $170 billion — near record highs.
Stablecoins have never been bigger. And even the altcoin market is surging, though the gains are spread across far more projects than in previous cycles.
But beyond the price action, something more fundamental has caught my attention: the buzz around neobanks.
Neobanks are digital-first banks with no physical branches.
These companies offer banking services entirely online. Checking accounts, debit cards, money transfers and more, all managed from your phone.
But that’s just the TradFi iteration.
The crypto version takes this further by building on blockchain technology instead of traditional banking infrastructure.
And there’s one crypto neobank feature that is quickly gaining popularity.
The Quiet Rise of Crypto Cards
While not yet dominating headlines, interest in this space is already brewing.
Ripple, the company behind XRP (XRP, “C+”) and renowned for its blockchain-based cross-border payments, was recently recognized as a neobank back in July.
Its $181 billion valuation today shows the scale of institutional interest in this space.
But for most people, the proof isn't in market caps.
It's in whether you can actually use crypto to buy groceries or fill up your gas tank.
That's where crypto cards come in.
Crypto cards bridge the gap between your digital assets and everyday spending.
Using familiar Visa or Mastercard networks, these improved cards let you …
- Spend your crypto holdings,
- Earn cryptocurrency as rewards on purchases,
- And even generate yields on crypto you already own, similar to earning interest in a savings account.
These aren’t futuristic goals. There are several cards already available that work with Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments.
Some also provide physical cards.
The key difference between cards comes down to custody.
Some let you maintain full control of your crypto until the moment you spend it. Others are custodial and require you to deposit funds with the provider.
Here's a breakdown of some of the best options.
Crypto Cards for U.S. Residents
1. Gemini Credit Card (Mastercard)
This is a traditional USD credit card that gives rewards when you spend money.
The crypto twist? Rewards are paid in cryptocurrency instead of cash back or points.
That said, this card rewards responsible spenders, not borrowers.
With this option, you’d want to pay your borrowed balance in full each month. This will let you avoid interest charges that could wipe out your rewards.
Rewards:
- 4% back on gas, EV charging and transit (for up to $300 per month, then 1%)
- 3% on dining, 2% on groceries, 1% on everything else
- Welcome bonus: $200 in crypto after $3,000 spend in the first 90 days
Cost: $0 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Availability: All 50 U.S. states + Puerto Rico
Simple explanation: This is a regular credit card that pays rewards out in Bitcoin (BTC, “A-”), Ethereum (ETH, “A-”), or 50+ other cryptos.
You can change which crypto you earn as rewards at any time — no staking and no hidden crypto management needed.
Best for:
- Everyday spending.
- Those who want to passively build a crypto portfolio without actively buying it.
2. Coinbase Card (Visa Debit)
This is a debit card that lets you spend USD or crypto from your Coinbase account anywhere Visa is accepted.
When spending crypto, it automatically converts to USD at the moment of purchase.
There’s also no credit check required. And setup can be done instantly if you already have a Coinbase account. Plus, you have the option of both virtual and physical cards.
Rewards:
- ~0.5% back in select cryptocurrencies
Cost: No annual fee; no spending fees
Availability: All U.S. states except Hawaii
Note: Each purchase using crypto (like BTC or ETH) is a taxable event that must be reported as it involves sale of these cryptocurrencies.
But spending USD or stablecoins results in no tax implications if the stablecoin maintains its $1 peg.
Best for:
- Existing Coinbase users who want the simplest way to spend crypto when needed.
- Users looking to earn modest rewards without managing a credit line or worrying about interest charges.
3. Tria Card (Visa – Credit Against Crypto Collateral)
Imagine being able to put your crypto up as collateral to gain spending money.
That’s exactly what Tria Card does.
It allows you to borrow against your crypto rather than sell it when you need liquidity. And, you maintain custody of your assets all the while.
There’s no interest. But you must maintain your collateral to avoid liquidation.
Collateral rules: You must provide eligible crypto as collateral. Tria may liquidate collateral if payments are missed for 21 days or if your crypto's value falls below thresholds. Credit limits adjust based on collateral value.
Rewards:
- Yield in native assets or stablecoins
- Up to 6% cashback
- Promotional rewards via campaigns, lounge pass access
Costs & Fees:
- Virtual card: $25/year, plastic card: $109/year, metal card: $250/year (that's steep)
- Foreign transaction fee: 1% (that's steep)
- No late, over-limit, or returned-payment fees
- Document statement fee: $10.
- Small-transaction fee: up to $0.50 for purchases under $50.
- APR: 0% — no interest on purchases, balance transfers, or cash advances
Availability: Active in the U.S. under Puerto Rican jurisdiction.
Best for:
- Holders who want to spend against their crypto without selling it.
- Those who value non-custodial control and don't mind posting collateral.
4. Ether.fi Cash Card (Visa)
Like Tria, Ether.fi is a non-custodial credit card that allows you to borrow against your crypto.
But with Ether.fi, your crypto continues to earn yield even as you spend.
It works with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Rewards:
- 2–3% cashback on spendings (paid in SCR tokens).
- Separately, your collateral can earn 8%+ APY on stablecoins, while remaining liquid, plus yield on BTC and ETH.
Cost: No annual fee.
Availability: Live in more than half of U.S. states, including Florida, with further expansion underway.
Best for:
- DeFi users comfortable managing collateral who want to spend without selling their crypto.
International Cards & Upcoming U.S. Launches
Beyond the U.S. boarders, even more crypto credit cards are available. And there are two you should know about that are seeking an American debut.
MetaMask Card (Mastercard)
Powered by the Linea network for fast, low-cost transactions, this is a self-custodial debit card linked to your MetaMask wallet.
In plain English, this card lets you spend crypto directly from your existing MetaMask wallet via Apple/Google Pay. You keep custody of your assets until payment.
Rewards:
- Virtual card: 1% cashback in USDC on eligible purchases
- Metal card: 3% cashback on first $10,000/year, then 1%
Costs / Fees:
- Virtual card: no annual or maintenance fee;
- Metal card: $199/year for metal version (not out yet) with premium rewards and perks
- Swap fee (for non-stablecoin tokens): 0.875% of the transaction value
- Gas / network fee: a small Linea gas fee (~$0.02) per transaction for stablecoins; additional gas + swap cost if using non-stablecoin tokens
Availability: On waitlist for U.S. launch. The card is live in Canada, EU, UK, Mexico, and LATAM.
Best for:
- Users who want to maintain full control of their crypto while spending via Apple/Google Pay.
Plasma One (Visa)
Another non-custodial digital wallet and debit card. This one lets you spend stablecoins and earn yield while holding them.
Think of it as a crypto savings account that earns yield until the moment you spend.
Rewards: Up to 10% APY on your USDT balance and up to 4% cashback on spending (in XPL) with extra boost at partners
Cost and Fees: No fees for USDT transfers, zero FX fees, free ATM up to $200/month (2% after)
Availability: Waitlist Open (launch expected in 2025)
Simple explanation: Think of it as a crypto savings account that earns yield until the moment you spend. Your stablecoins should work until the moment you use them.
Best for:
- Stablecoin users who want high interest + cashback in one product.
Which Card Is Right for You?
If you're just getting started, Coinbase Card is probably the obvious entry point.
No fees, no staking requirements, and it plugs straight into an exchange most Americans already use.
It's crypto spending without the complexity.
For serious rewards, you may consider the Gemini Card. It delivers 3%-4% back on everyday purchases with no complicated staking. All you need to do is spend and stack crypto.
For those who refuse to give up custody — which is many crypto enthusiasts — the landscape gets more interesting.
Plasma One is expected to launch in 2025. And not only does it let you keep control of your crypto. It also lets you earn up to 10% APY on stablecoins.
In short, it puts your money to work until the moment you tap to pay.
Ether.fi and Tria go further to let you borrow against your crypto. All the while, your collateral continues to earn yield and give you liquidity without selling your position.
I hope you’ll take the time to review the options to find the one that’s right for you.
Because these aren't just payment tools. They're infrastructure.
The rails are being rebuilt for programmable money, and the timing isn't coincidental.
Trillions of dollars prove it.
While most people still see this as futuristic, the rails are live. And the cards work at any checkout counter.
The future isn't on the horizon. It’s here.
Best,
Marija Matić
P.S. With crypto infrastructure in place, full-scale mainstream adoption is not far away. Once that happens, the outsized returns crypto enthusiasts hunt for each bull market could become a thing of the past.
To stay ahead of the curve, you’ll want to join cycles expert Juan Villaverde for his urgent crypto briefing tomorrow at 2 p.m. Eastern.
That’s where he’ll break down where in this bull cycle we are …
What he expects will come next …
And the cryptos he believes will outperform.
To save your spot, just click here.
