Crypto credit cards have exploded in popularity over the last few years. As cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum gain more mainstream traction, people are looking for easy ways to earn crypto rewards.
Credit cards that offer cryptocurrency rewards programs allow you to earn crypto simply through your everyday spending.
In this blog post, we will explore the best crypto credit cards available in 2024. We will look at how they work, the rewards they offer, fees, and more. Read on to find the perfect card to start earning crypto today.
How Do Crypto Credit Cards Work?
Crypto credit cards work similarly to traditional cash-back or travel rewards cards. When you make a purchase with your crypto card, you earn a percentage back in cryptocurrency rewards rather than just getting cash back or miles.
Most crypto cards allow you to earn popular coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin. Some will let you choose from a selection of altcoins. The crypto rewards are generally deposited into a cryptocurrency wallet or account each month.
You can then hold the crypto you earn or sell it for cash. If you believe cryptocurrency prices will rise over time, holding the rewards is a great way to accumulate crypto.
Top Crypto Credit Cards for 2024
Here are the best crypto credit cards available now and coming soon in 2024:
Brex Card
The Brex Card offers generous rewards rates for business spending:
- 7x points on rideshares and taxis
- 4x points on Brex travel portal bookings
- 3x points on restaurants
- 3x points on Apple products
- 2x points on recurring software expenses
- 1x point per dollar on other purchases
New cardmembers can earn 10,000 bonus points by spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards like cash back, gift cards, travel, and cryptocurrency. Brex launched crypto rewards redemptions for Bitcoin and Ethereum in May 2021.
BlockFi Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card
The BlockFi Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card makes earning Bitcoin very straightforward. Cardholders earn 1.5% back on every purchase in Bitcoin. The rewards are deposited into your BlockFi account each month to compound.
There is also a sign-up bonus of $200 in Bitcoin after spending $3,000 on the card in the first 3 months. If you want a simple card that earns pure Bitcoin rewards, this is the top choice.
Gemini Credit Card
Slated to launch in 2022, the upcoming Gemini Credit Card will allow users to earn up to 3% back on purchases in crypto rewards. You’ll earn:
- 3% crypto rewards on dining
- 2% crypto rewards on groceries
- 1% crypto rewards on other purchases
Rewards will be earned in the form of crypto and deposited into your Gemini exchange account. Over 50 cryptocurrencies will be available for rewards redemption.
Crypto.com Visa Cards
Crypto.com offers several Visa card tiers tied to staking the Crypto.com Coin (CRO) cryptocurrency. The higher tiers offer excellent rewards of up to 8% back on spending.
- Obsidian Black Card – 8% back on spending
- Icy White Card – 5% rewards
- Royal Indigo & Jade Green – 3% rewards
- Ruby Steel – 2% rewards
These cards carry hefty requirements like high CRO stakes or minimum spending requirements. But if you’re willing to commit to Crypto.com’s ecosystem, the rewards are very lucrative.
Venmo Credit Card
The Venmo Credit Card is a popular new offering that allows you to automatically turn cash back rewards into cryptocurrency. You’ll earn:
- 3% cash back in your top spending category each month (eight categories to choose from)
- 2% cash back in your second-highest spending category
- 1% cash back on other purchases
There’s no signup bonus or annual fee.
Cash Back to Crypto Feature
What makes the Venmo Credit Card unique is the Cash Back to Crypto feature. You can set up automatic purchases of cryptocurrency using the cash back earned from your Venmo card spending each statement period.
What to Look for in a Crypto Credit Card
When researching crypto credit cards, keep these key factors in mind:
Rewards Rates – The rewards rate determines how much crypto you’ll earn per dollar spent. Look for cards offering 2% back or more to maximize rewards.
Cryptocurrencies Available – Some cards offer rewards in Bitcoin only while others give you a choice of several popular cryptocurrencies. Select coins you want to hold long-term.
Card Perks – Many crypto cards also come with cardholder perks like airport lounge access, travel insurance, or cash back offers. These can add significant value.
Fees – Pay attention to a crypto card’s annual fee, foreign transaction fee, balance transfer fee, and other charges that can eat into your rewards.
Ease of Use – The process for earning and redeeming crypto rewards can differ quite a bit across cards. Opt for one with a seamless user experience.
By evaluating crypto cards across these criteria, you can pinpoint the best option for your needs and crypto earning strategy.
Pros and Cons of Crypto Credit Cards
Let’s explore some of the key advantages and disadvantages of crypto rewards credit cards:
Pros
- Earn crypto simply through everyday spending
- Potential to earn higher rewards than traditional cards
- Grow your crypto holdings without additional investment
- Useful for dollar-cost averaging into crypto
- Spend fiat currency while accumulating crypto
Cons
- Crypto prices are highly volatile
- Rewards subject to changes in coin value
- Most cards lack sign-up bonuses
- A limited selection of cards currently available
- Generally more suited to higher spenders
For investors bullish on crypto prices over the long term, the pros often outweigh the cons. Just keep volatility and changing reward structures in mind.
Who Should Get a Crypto Credit Card?
Crypto credit cards can be useful for several types of consumers:
Cryptocurrency Investors – For long-term crypto believers who want to accumulate tokens while spending fiat currency from their budget.
Frequent Spenders – Big spenders can maximize high rewards rates to earn a significant amount of crypto from daily transactions.
Business Owners – The Brex Card is explicitly designed for startups and small businesses looking to earn crypto on business expenses.
Travel Rewards Seekers – Some crypto cards like those from Crypto.com carry travel perks that cryptocurrency enthusiasts can benefit from.
In most cases, consumers need at least a basic understanding of cryptocurrency before applying. But crypto credit cards are continuing to expand into the mainstream.
Tips for Getting Started with Crypto Credit Cards
Here are some tips worth considering if you want to earn cryptocurrency rewards with a new credit card:
- Check card eligibility requirements – Income, credit score, and location restrictions can apply.
- Compare crypto cards side-by-side – Create a comparison chart to evaluate rewards rates, supported coins, fees, etc.
- Evaluate your budget – Ensure your spending capacity is high enough to maximize rewards.
- Understand the crypto taxes – Rewards may be taxed. Consult an accountant knowledgeable in crypto.
- Choose coins strategically – Opt for established coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum or niche coins you think could rise in value.
- Set up crypto storage – Withdraw rewards to a secure wallet instead of letting them pool in your exchange account.
Putting a crypto rewards game plan in place from the start will let you hit the ground running with card signup bonuses and spending offers.
The Future of Crypto Credit Cards
While the crypto credit card space has seen some turnover recently, the future continues to look very bright. Issuers like Brex and BlockFi show that crypto rewards resonate strongly with consumers.
We can expect more competition and new product offerings as cryptocurrency adoption rises globally. There is still lots of room for innovation in areas like altcoin support, NFT rewards programs, crypto-backed cards, lending features, and sign-up bonuses.
Greater crypto merchant acceptance could also allow card networks to offer targeted crypto rewards bonuses at retailers that accept cryptocurrency payments.
Finally, debit card options could bring fee-free crypto rewards programs to users who prefer not to participate in the credit system.
As global tokens like Bitcoin and Ethereum join the mainstream alongside crypto-first financial apps and services, crypto credit cards are poised to capture a significant share of the broader credit card rewards market in the years ahead.
Conclusion
Crypto credit cards make it easier than ever to earn rewards in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies. By understanding how these cards work and comparing the top contenders, you can start accumulating crypto cash back or travel rewards from daily spending.
