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4 top crypto rewards credit cards for traders and investors

Thomas Sweeney

Jan 27, 20265 min read

While cryptocurrencies are gaining mainstream traction, they’re still not a common medium for day-to-day exchange. However, there are a few creative ways to stay engaged in the crypto economy during your non-Web3 activities.

For example, crypto rewards credit cards work like standard credit, but offer kickbacks in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC). Some reward crypto directly, while others convert fiat rewards into digital assets. Let’s talk about the best crypto credit cards and explore their benefits and risks.

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Crypto rewards credit cards: 4 options for 2026

Financial services company BlockFi issued the first Bitcoin rewards credit card in 2021. Unfortunately, BlockFi’s subsequent bankruptcy made many Web3 participants understandably skeptical about this development.

But the Web3 world moves fast, and other reputable companies now offer crypto cards along with higher standards for transparency and security. Here are four of the most popular options.

1. Gemini Mastercard

United States-based centralized exchange (CEX) Gemini launched its Mastercard crypto rewards credit card in 2022, in partnership with WebBank. Users get instant crypto rewards in their Gemini trading accounts, and there are over 50 eligible coins, including Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL).

Reward rate:

  • 4% on gas, transit, and EV charging (max $300 spend per month)
  • 3% on dining
  • 2% on groceries
  • 1% on everything else

Fees: No annual or foreign transaction fees, and no transaction fees to receive rewards

Availability: U.S. residents in all 50 states

Card acceptance: Accepted globally at Mastercard-friendly merchants

Ideal for: Users of all skill levels looking for a fee-free and simple-to-use credit card from a highly regulated exchange

2. Coinbase One American Express

Issued by First Electronic Bank, the Coinbase One card is an American Express credit card that’s only available on premium Coinbase One subscriptions. This credit card for crypto lets you shop at any location that accepts AMEX transactions, and it provides small BTC rewards.​

Reward rate:

  • 2% on all purchases if your total assets on Coinbase (AOC) is below $10,000
  • 2.5% for AOC between $10,000 and $49,999.99
  • 3% for AOC between $50,000 and $199,999.99
  • 4% for AOC above $200,000

Fees: Subscription fees to Coinbase One, which range from $49 to $2,999.99 per year 

Availability: U.S. Coinbase One members in all 50 states

Card acceptance: Any merchant that welcomes AMEX cards

Ideal for: More advanced crypto users who want to build their BTC positions while enjoying the premium benefits of a Coinbase One account

3. Crypto.com Visa Signature

Crypto.com is known for its debit crypto Visa cards, with tiered rewards depending on how many Cronos (CRO) coins investors stake. In 2025, this Singapore-based exchange introduced a new line of Visa Signature credit cards via Comenity Capital Bank. These cards offer CRO rewards in a similarly tiered structure, some coming with extra perks like free Netflix accounts.

Reward rates:

  • 1.5% on all purchases (no minimum)
  • 3.5% on all purchases ($500 in 12-month staked CRO or $4.99 fee per month)
  • 4.5% on all purchases ($5,000 in 12-month staked CRO or $29.99 fee per month)
  • 5% on all purchases ($50,000 in 12-month staked CRO)
  • 6% on all purchases ($500,000 in 12-month staked CRO)

Fees: Optional fees to level up accounts

Availability: 49 U.S. states (excludes New York) and select U.S. territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa

Card acceptance: Any retailer that welcomes Visa cards

Ideal for: Crypto investors or traders who don’t mind getting paid in the CRO altcoin in exchange for greater access to perks and VIP offerings

4. Venmo Visa

Fintech app Venmo’s offering is technically a cashback Visa card, but it also lets users automatically spend their earnings each month on BTC, ETH, Litecoin (LTC), or Bitcoin Cash (BCH) with no transaction fees. This Synchrony Bank-issued card is notable for the way it tailors rewards to your habits by tracking your most common spending categories.

Reward rates:

  • 1%, 2%, or 3%, with higher rates for top-spend categories

Fees: No annual, foreign transaction, or gas fees

Availability: Eligible users in the U.S.

Card acceptance: All merchants that accept Visa cards

Ideal for: Casual crypto users who only want access to a few major coins and the option to switch back to cashback easily

How crypto rewards credit cards work

With a crypto rewards card, you’ll spend fiat currency to make purchases on a line of credit. Merchants receive this fiat in their accounts, and just as with a traditional credit card, you’ll need to make a minimum monthly payment.​

During the rewards phase, the card issuer converts a percentage of each transaction’s value into digital assets. Some of these products offer direct crypto rewards, which means you’ll instantly earn crypto with each purchase or at set time intervals. Other cards offer a cashback percentage in fiat, which can be converted into crypto rewards at your discretion.

Benefits of crypto rewards credit cards

Using a credit card for crypto rewards is a relatively low-risk, low-effort way to start building up digital assets, and it can also provide:​

  • Flat crypto cashback rates: Card issuers often quote rates at flat percentages, providing transparency and predictability in volatile markets.
  • Category-based rewards: Some credit cards offer higher rewards for specific kinds of purchases (e.g., dining out or travel).
  • Staking-based boosters: With staking portals, you can earn double the rewards from staked digital assets. Plus, many of these programs offer additional perks or higher crypto rewards tiers.
  • Flexible redemption options: With cashback-to-crypto credit cards, you can purchase your preferred crypto whenever you want. Even with direct crypto rewards, you can usually choose from multiple digital assets.

Risks and limitations of crypto rewards credit cards

Although many crypto cards meet high security standards, they still come with potential drawbacks, such as:​

  • Crypto price volatility: Unlike more common cashback options, such as fiat or miles, crypto values rise and fall often.
  • Limited consumer protections: As non-sovereign assets, cryptocurrencies don’t come with standard protections. If a crypto platform goes bankrupt or freezes user funds, there are usually no safeguards to recover these rewards.
  • Hacks and fraud: Crypto wallets are frequent targets for hackers and phishing scams, and if you lose crypto rewards to theft, you’ll likely have few recovery options.
  • Unclear legal regulations: Crypto laws often change and vary across territories. New regulations can impact how you earn crypto rewards and whether a card issuer can legally operate.
  • Tax implications: Crypto rewards from credit cards may be considered a form of taxable income, and disposals typically count as capital gains.

Record your crypto rewards with CoinTracker

Small crypto transactions like credit card rewards can be easy to overlook, but the IRS requires detailed information on cost basis for all crypto disposals. This means you need details about all token rewards, such as their fair market values.

To make sure you never miss or miscalculate these tokens, you can link your crypto wallets and exchange APIs to CoinTracker's Portfolio Tracker. This lets you record and label every transaction to categorize your tax obligations and create compliant IRS forms.

Want a clear view of your assets at all times? With CoinTracker, link your wallets and exchanges to monitor your portfolio’s performance in real time. Create a free account and see why crypto investors trust us.

Disclaimer: This post is informational only and is not intended as tax advice. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.

FAQ

What’s the difference between cashback and crypto rewards?

Cashback credit cards offer rewards in fiat currency, while crypto credit cards offer rewards in digital assets like BTC and ETH.

Which crypto credit cards are safest to use?

Crypto credit cards associated with highly regulated exchanges, like Coinbase and Gemini, tend to be the most reliable and secure.

How do I choose the best crypto rewards credit card?

To pick a good crypto rewards credit card, review each card issuer’s reputation and track record for security. Then look into the card’s features, including average earning percentages and types of digital assets offered.

Can I buy crypto with a credit card?

Many exchanges and digital wallets let you use credit cards to buy digital assets, but you may face higher fees and more stipulations than when purchasing with fiat.

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