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Written by Holly D. Johnson Holly D. Johnson
Edited by Grace Pilling Grace Pilling
Reviewed by Nouri Zarrugh Nouri Zarrugh
/ 11 min
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Snapshot
Bottom line
This card lets fans of the Crypto.com app quickly spend their crypto. But the best features that could make this a truly standout option are reserved for investors willing to tie up $400,000 worth of funds in Cronos (CRO).
Crypto.com Visa® Card
*The information about the Crypto.com Visa® Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
*
N/A
N/A
Intro offer
Intro offer is not available for this Crypto.com credit card.
8%
Rewards rate
8% CRO rewards on card spending
Annual fee
N/A
Regular APR
On This Page
On This Page
- Pros and cons
- Current offer details
- Value of rewards
- Key cardholder perks
- Understanding the fees
- How the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card compares to other crypto cards
- Is this card worth getting?
Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card overview
The Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card is a unique prepaid debit card geared specifically to crypto enthusiasts looking for an easy and efficient way to access and spend their cryptocurrency. Since it’s not a credit card, you have to add funds to your Crypto.com app account using bank account transfers, credit or debit cards or other cryptocurrency. Those funds are turned into crypto assets that then become spendable currency using your Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card.
The Crypto.Com Rewards card can easily be used anywhere that accepts Visa for payments. This makes the card a good fit for someone who doesn’t want to go the usual route when it comes to converting cryptocurrency to a spendable asset, which can take several days.
Unlike most debit cards, the Crypto.com Rewards card can also earn rewards, but to qualify, you’ll need to stake (invest in and hold on to) at least $400 worth of the platform’s cryptocurrency token Cronos (CRO) for at least six months. Depending on how much CRO you stake, you could earn up to 5 percent on purchases and unlock additional benefits like discounts on popular subscription services and complimentary airport lounge access.
If you’re primarily looking to earn rewards, the Crypto.com card isn’t the best option. There are plenty of traditional credit cards that offer rewards and don’t require you to invest large amounts of money to qualify for the best features. Some even let you redeem your rewards for cryptocurrency which can be more valuable for people who want to earn as much in rewards as possible without having to tie up their funds in a cryptocurrency exchange app on only one form of crypto.
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Pros
Makes it easy to turn crypto assets into spendable currency you can use right away
Earn rewards on spending
No annual fee
No credit pull required
Get reimbursem*nts for some purchases
Free ATM withdrawals each month, up to limits
Cons
Prepaid debit card and not a credit card
Requires staking of your crypto assets on most cards
Most benefits go to cards with high staking requirements
Low limits for free ATM withdrawal on lowest-tier card
A deeper look into the current card offer
Quick highlights
- Rewards rate: Varies by card tier; up to 2 percent with no stake; up to 5 percent with active stake
- Welcome offer: N/A
- Annual fee: $0
- Purchase intro APR: N/A
- Balance transfer intro APR: N/A
- Regular APR: N/A
Current welcome offer
The Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card doesn’t come with a sign-up bonus. This isn’t unusual for a prepaid debit card, but it is one of the disadvantages of using a debit card vs. a credit card.
On top of usually being safer to use thanks to additional fraud protection features, credit cards may also offer a number of benefits that debit cards don’t have. This includes a welcome offer typically worth $200 to $500 or more after spending a set amount within a few months of opening an account.
Rewards rate
The Crypto.com card comes in five tiers. The most basic tier (Midnight Blue) is simply a debit card, which doesn’t earn rewards and won’t provide any additional features or benefits. Here are the tiers, required stake and rewards rates:
| Card type | CRO stake | CRO Rewards(No stake) | CRO Rewards (Active stake) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Blue | $0 USD | 0% | 0% |
| Ruby Steel | $400 USD | 0% | 1% |
| Royal Indigo/Jade Green | $4,000 USD | 0% | 2% |
| Frosty Rose Gold/Icy White | $40,000 USD | 1% | 3% |
| Obsidian | $400,000 USD | 2% | 5% |
Each additional tier requires active participation in the platform’s crypto staking program if you want to earn the tier’s highest rates. To stake, you’ll need to purchase and hold on to a specific amount of CRO in the app’s crypto wallet for 180 days. CRO is Crypto.com’s native token. Depending on the tier and how much CRO you stake, you unlock increased rewards rates along with discounts on subscription services.
It’s worth noting these rates are lower than previous rates offered by Crypto.com. Before Crypto.com changed its rewards program “to ensure long-term sustainability,” even the basic Midnight Blue tier earned 1 percent in CRO rewards, and the Obsidian tier earned as much as 8 percent.
From a card’s perspective, the rewards rates on the Crypto.com Rewards Visa are not standout features. For no annual fee and no upfront costs, traditional credit cards may offer flat rates of up to 2 percent and even higher rates in bonus categories. While a 5 percent rewards rate is quite impressive at the card’s high end, the $400,000 staking requirement is a big ask that not many will be able to afford. Even provided you can afford it, the volatility of cryptocurrency can quickly make the 5 percent you’ll earn as rewards pale when compared to the percentage of what you stand to lose (or gain, depending on which way crypto swings).
Once the 180 days are up, you can unstake the CRO tokens and move them out of your crypto wallet. But unstaking means you no longer have an active stake, which reduces your rewards rate and benefits.
Bankrate Insight
Staking comes with risks. Cryptocurrency is considered a volatile market, which means prices can significantly rise or drop quickly. After holding on to CRO for 180 days, there’s no telling how much the CRO token will be worth. That’s why you should research any crypto you plan on investing in to make sure you’re comfortable with any risk, and make sure you don’t invest more than you can comfortably afford to lose.
How you earn
The Crypto.com Rewards Visa rewards cardholders for purchases made following Merchant Category Codes outlined on their website. It earns rewards–not as cash back or points–but as CRO token based on the rewards tier you fall in at the time of purchase. One great benefit of this card is that rewards are reflected in your Crypto.com Wallet instantly following transactions. But if you do not actively participate in the staking program, only the two top tiers earn rewards on purchases.
Crypto.com also introduced a monthly cap on the amount of CRO rewards you can earn with certain tiers. Now, the Ruby Steel has a limit of $25, and the Royal Indigo/Jade Green has a limit of $50. So once you spend $2,500 in a month on either tier, you stop earning rewards.
How to redeem
The rewards earned with the Crypto.com Rewards card come in the form of CRO rewards, which are deposited into your account instantly and can be traded on the Crypto.com platform for other digital coins or turned into USD (or another fiat currency) for spending.
How much are the rewards worth?
The value of your CRO Rewards is tied to the value of the CRO token itself, so your rewards value will only be set once you trade your token on the Crypto.com App. If you do this as soon as you receive your card rewards, you should expect to exchange no more or less CRO than you earned in rewards. Currently, CRO is valued around $0.18 on Crpyto.com with a 90 day range between $0.16 and $0.50. CRO value peaked at nearly $0.90 in November of 2021.
For example, if you spend $1,000 at the Royal Indigo/Jade tier, you’ll earn 2 percent back as CRO, so that’s $20 worth of CRO. At its 90-day high of $0.50, that would be roughly 40 CRO tokens added to your Crypto.com wallet. But this doesn’t mean that your 40 CRO will continue to be worth a combined $20 despite having earned 2 percent back on your $1,000 worth of transactions. The value of each CRO token will change based on the volatility of the crypto market and could be worth far more or far less in a matter of hours.
Other cardholder perks
Various tiers of the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card also come with cardholder perks that may be interesting and useful. But the card’s best benefits are only available to cardholders of the top-tier Obsidian, which requires a considerable staking threshold.
Monthly reimbursem*nts and credits
Depending on the tier, you can receive reimbursem*nts on one or more subscription services, such as Netflix, Spotify and Amazon Prime. This is one of the card’s best features and isn’t something you can find with other prepaid cards or even traditional credit cards, which typically only offer anywhere from 3 percent to 6 percent back on select streaming services. Depending on your tier, you may also be eligible for Expedia and Airbnb purchases. Here’s what each tier officers:
| Card type | 100% rebate for purchases | 10% rebate for purchases |
|---|---|---|
| Midnight Blue | N/A | N/A |
| Ruby Steel | Spotify | N/A |
| Royal Indigo/Jade Green | Spotify, Netflix | N/A |
| Frosty Rose Gold/Icy White | Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Prime | Expedia |
| Obsidian | Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Prime | Expedia, Airbnb |
Reimbursem*nts are given out once per month per category and they are capped at the following amounts:
- Airbnb: Up to 10% with a $100 limit
- Amazon Prime: Up to $14.99 per month
- Expedia: Up to 10% of each purchase with a $50 limit per month
- Netflix: Up to $13.99 per month
- Spotify: Up to $13.99 per month
LoungeKey access
Cardholders starting with the Royal Indigo/Jade Green tier get complimentary LoungeKey airport lounge access at over 1,100 lounges across more than 500 airports. Royal Indigo/Jade Green cardholders get a basic membership, while Frosty Gold Rose/Icy White and Obsidian cardholders can bring a guest.
Free ATM withdrawals
Each tier of the card comes with a certain amount of free ATM withdrawals every month, starting at $200 with the Midnight Blue card. From there, Ruby Steel members get $400 in ATM withdrawals, Royal Indigo/Jade Green qualify for $800 and Frosty Gold Rose/Icy White and Obsidian cardholders can withdraw up to $1,000 per month for free.
Bonus rewards
Frosted Rose Gold/Icy White and Obsidian cardholders who qualify for Crypto.com Private can also earn an additional 2 percent in interest on fixed-term deposits in their Crypto.com account. The interest will be paid in CRO.
Discounts at select merchants
Frosted Rose Gold/Icy White and Obsidian cardholders who qualify for Crypto.com Private are also eligible for a welcome pack filled with Crypto.com branded merchandise.
Private jet membership
Finally, Obsidian cardholders who qualify for Crypto.com Private can become eligible for a private jet membership. This benefit qualifies members for upgraded perks when they travel with Crypto.com’s preferred private jet partner.
Rates and fees
The Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card is a prepaid debit card, so you don’t have to worry about most common credit card fees. That means you won’t pay interest on your purchases or an annual fee.
Since the Crypto.com Rewards card is a crypto-linked Visa card, you’ll need to watch out for a number of fees that typically come with using a cryptocurrency exchange, including trading and withdrawal fees. And while it’s free to transfer money from your bank account, there’s a 3 percent fee for using your credit card to fund your prepaid card. Other fees associated with the different card tiers are listed in the Crypto.com app.
How the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card compares to other crypto cards
The Crypto.com Rewards Visa is worth considering if you’re a cryptocurrency enthusiast who wants an easy way to use crypto for purchases. It has some impressive features beyond that but only for upper-tier members with large sums of cash.
For everyone else, there are more rewarding cards on the market geared toward crypto enthusiasts. Here’s a look at two rewards credit cards. Both are traditional credit cards that charge no annual fee, though you’ll have to watch out for interest rates and other fees. But you won’t have to tie up funds in staking to earn the highest rewards and the best perks. One earns crypto on every purchase and one lets you turn your rewards points into cryptocurrency.
| Feature | Crypto.com Rewards Visa | BlockFi Rewards Visa® Signature Card | SoFi Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards rate | 0% to 5% back on spending | 1.5% back in crypto on every purchase, then 2% after you spend $30,000 on your card within a year | Earn 3% cash back rewards for a year when you set up direct deposit with SoFi. After that, earn 2%* unlimited cash back on purchases when redeemed toward investing, saving, or paying down an eligible loan with SoFi. |
| Welcome offer | None | None | Earn up to $300 when you apply, get approved, and set up direct deposit and maintain a qualifying direct deposit every month |
Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card vs. BlockFi Rewards Visa® Signature Card
Due to regulatory restrictions, the BlockFi Rewards card isn’t available to residents of New York. But for everyone else, it earns 1.5 percent back unless you’re a big spender. If you spend $30,000 in a year, you graduate to 2 percent for the remainder of the year.
The 1.5 percent rate is similar to many rewards credit cards on the market, though the chance to earn a higher rate when you spend more is an interesting twist you won’t find with most rewards cards. But if you can qualify for a flat-rate credit card like the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card, you won’t have to spend large sums before you earn 2 percent cash rewards on purchases.
The BlockFi card has a few additional perks. This includes discounts at select merchants and Visa Signature benefits, which gives you access to travel and purchase protections as well as luxury hotel benefits. These features can save users money and provide peace of mind when shopping and traveling and top what you would get in the bottom tiers of the Crypto.com Rewards card. But users who qualify for the lounge access and monthly subscription reimbursem*nts won’t get as much value out of the Block Fi card and would be better staying with the Crypto.com card.
Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card vs. SoFi Credit Card
The SoFi Credit Card offers 3% cash back rewards for a year and a chance to earn a cash bonus of up to $300 when you set up direct deposit with SoFi. After that, earn 2% unlimited cash back on purchases.
If you want to redeem for something beyond crypto, you can redeem your points toward investing, saving, or paying down an eligible loan with SoFi. You can also redeem your rewards for a statement credit, but the redemption value drops from 1 cent per point to 0.5 cent.
The SoFi card is a World Elite Mastercard, so it comes with specific Mastercard benefits you won’t see with the Crypto.com card. This includes a free ShopRunner membership, $5 in Lyft credit for every three rides taken in a month, cell phone protection worth up to $1,000 and a three-month free trial of DashPass.
All this gives the SoFi card far more flexibility than the Crypto.com card. It may even provide better value for anyone stuck in the debit card’s lower tiers. But SoFi’s cryptocurrency trading fees of up to 1.25% could be too much of a downside for traders who prefer using a low-fee crypto exchange.
Which card should you pair the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card with?
Since the Crypto.com Rewards Visa is a prepaid debit card and not a credit card, you may want to pick up a traditional credit card as well. Doing so can help you qualify for cardholder benefits you typically only get with credit cards, as well as zero fraud protection for unauthorized purchases. Meanwhile, a regular credit card can come in handy if you need access to a line of credit for emergency expenses, or if you need to consolidate and pay down high-interest debt with a balance transfer credit card.
The right type of credit card for you depends on your needs, so make sure to compare travel credit cards, cash back credit cards and 0 percent APR credit cards to find the right fit.
You can also check out other cryptocurrency credit cards, which are growing in popularity right now. Just make sure you have a handle on the type of crypto you’re earning, how it works and what you might be giving up by picking a crypto card over a traditional rewards credit card.
Bankrate’s Take—Is the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card worth it?
The Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card can be worth it if you are looking for a place to park your cryptocurrency and you want easy access to your funds for spending. Just keep in mind that you have to jump through a lot of hoops to get the best features, and locking up funds in a risky investment is required to earn the highest rewards.
Since traditional credit cards are more flexible and can provide easier access to rewards, Crypto enthusiasts may want to keep one of the lower-tier versions of this prepaid Crypto.com Visa card on hand for emergencies but use a traditional rewards credit card for all other spending.
Compare the best rewards credit cards
Written by
Holly D. Johnson
Author, Award-Winning Writer
Read more from Holly
Holly Johnson writes expert content on personal finance, credit cards, loyalty and insurance topics. In addition to writing for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Johnson does ongoing work for clients that include CNN, Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, Time Magazine and more.
Edited by Grace Pilling Grace Pilling
Reviewed by Nouri Zarrugh Nouri Zarrugh
* See the online application for details about terms and conditions for these offers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. After you click on the offer you desire you will be directed to the credit card issuer's web site where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The information, including card rates and fees, is accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information.
As a seasoned financial expert with a comprehensive understanding of credit cards, reviews, and rewards programs, I can confidently break down the key concepts presented in the article about the Crypto.com Visa® Card from Bankrate.com. My expertise is grounded in years of experience, a deep knowledge of financial products, and an awareness of the evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies and their integration into the traditional banking system.
The article provides an in-depth analysis of the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card, a prepaid debit card designed for crypto enthusiasts. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
-
Overview of the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card:
- The card is a prepaid debit card catering to crypto enthusiasts.
- Users can easily convert crypto assets into spendable currency through the Crypto.com app.
-
Rewards Program:
- The card offers rewards based on the amount of Crypto.com's native token, Cronos (CRO), that users stake.
- Staking at least $400,000 worth of CRO for six months unlocks benefits like up to 5% rewards on purchases, discounts on subscription services, and airport lounge access.
-
Pros and Cons:
- Pros include the ease of turning crypto assets into spendable currency, earning rewards on spending, no annual fee, and free ATM withdrawals.
- Cons include the necessity for staking crypto assets, with most benefits going to cards with higher staking requirements.
-
Current Offer Details:
- No introductory offer or sign-up bonus is mentioned.
-
Value of Rewards:
- Rewards are in the form of CRO tokens, and their value is tied to the market value of the CRO token.
- Users can trade CRO tokens for other digital coins or convert them into fiat currency.
-
Key Cardholder Perks:
- Different tiers offer perks such as monthly reimbursem*nts for subscription services, lounge access, free ATM withdrawals, bonus rewards, and discounts at select merchants.
-
Understanding the Fees:
- The Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card is a prepaid debit card, so it doesn't have common credit card fees like annual fees or interest charges.
- Users need to be mindful of fees associated with using cryptocurrency exchanges, including trading and withdrawal fees.
-
Comparison with Other Crypto Cards:
- The article compares the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card with other crypto-related credit cards, highlighting differences in rewards, fees, and additional perks.
-
Is the Card Worth Getting?
- The decision on whether the card is worth getting depends on individual preferences, with traditional credit cards also being considered as alternatives.
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Expert's Take - Bankrate’s Conclusion:
- The expert opinion suggests that the Crypto.com Rewards Visa Card may be worth it for those looking to use cryptocurrency for everyday spending, but emphasizes the need to consider the associated risks and the requirement to lock up funds for the best features.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to provide a thorough breakdown of the concepts presented in the article, offering valuable insights for individuals seeking information about the Crypto.com Visa Card and its suitability for their financial needs.
