Compare crypto debit cards

How to choose a crypto debit card so you can shop with your cryptocurrency.

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Crypto debit cards are helping to bridge the gap between cryptocurrency and the real world. Crypto cards look and work the same as any other Visa or Mastercard, but they link back to your cryptocurrency balance. Their aim is to make it quick and easy to spend your crypto coins out and about. But they also offer the opportunity to earn yourself some rewards with your spending.

With an increasing number of cards now available in the UK, this guide takes a closer look at how cryptocurrency debit cards work – and how you can compare the options to find the card that’s right for you.

Crypto is unregulated in the UK; there's no consumer protection; value can rise or fall; tax on profits may apply*.

Compare Bitcoin debit cards at a glance

1 - 6 of 6
Name Product GXFCY Card cost Supported fiat currencies Loading methods
Uphold debit card
£9.95
GBP,AUD,EUR,CAD,CZK,DKK,USD,HKD,HUF,JPY,CHF,NOK,PLN,RON,SEK
Bank transfer, Debit card, Credit card
Midnight Blue Crypto.com Visa Card
Free
GBP,AUD,EUR,BRL,CAD,USD,HKD,JPY,SGD
Debit card, Credit card, Fiat wallet, Crypto wallet
Top up your card with GBP or crypto, then spend up to £1,800 per month with no exchange rate penalty (0.5% exchange rate fee thereafter). Earn 1% CRO rewards on all eligible spending.
More Info
Ruby Steel Crypto.com Visa Card
Free: Stake £300 of CRO for 180 days
GBP,AUD,EUR,BRL,CAD,USD,SGD
Debit card, Credit card, Fiat wallet, Crypto wallet
Top up your card with GBP or crypto, then spend up to £3,600 per month with no exchange rate penalty (0.5% exchange rate fee thereafter). Earn 2% CRO rewards on all eligible spending.
More Info
Jade Green/Royal Indigo Crypto.com Visa Card
Free: Stake £3,000 of CRO for 180 days
GBP,AUD,EUR,BRL,CAD,USD,SGD
Debit card, Credit card, Fiat wallet, Crypto wallet
Top up your card with GBP or crypto, then spend up to £9,000 per month with no exchange rate penalty (0.5% exchange rate fee thereafter). Earn 3% CRO rewards on all eligible spending.
More Info
Frosted Rose Gold/Icy White Crypto.com Visa Card
Free: Stake £30,000 of CRO for 180 days
GBP,AUD,EUR,BRL,CAD,USD,SGD
Debit card, Credit card, Fiat wallet, Crypto wallet
Top up your card with GBP or crypto, then spend up to £14,000 per month with no exchange rate penalty (0.5% exchange rate fee thereafter). Earn 5% CRO rewards on all eligible spending.
More Info
Obsidian Crypto.com Visa Card
Free: Stake £300,000 of CRO for 180 days
GBP,AUD,EUR,BRL,CAD,USD,SGD
Debit card, Credit card, Fiat wallet, Crypto wallet
Top up your card with GBP or crypto, then enjoy unlimited spending with no exchange rate penalty. Earn 8% CRO rewards on all eligible spending.
More Info
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Looking to load your crypto card? Check out our guide to crypto exchanges.

How do Bitcoin debit and credit cards work?

A crypto debit card or Bitcoin debit card is a debit card linked to our cryptocurrency balance. These cards aim to make it quick and easy to spend your crypto coins in the real world, allowing you to pay with digital currency anywhere that regular debit and credit cards are accepted and to use your crypto balance to withdraw cash at an ATM.

Crypto debit cards usually run on existing card networks like Visa or Mastercard, and can be used anywhere where those cards are accepted. Bitcoin is far and away the most widely supported cryptocurrency across debit card providers, but some providers also allow you to load your card with other currencies, such as Ethereum and Litecoin.

How they work is actually quite simple:

  • Prepaid cards. These allow you to load your card with coins from your crypto wallet, which are automatically converted to your fiat currency of choice (British pound) so that you have a GBP balance on your card ready to spend.
  • Non-prepaid cards. This type of crypto card is linked to your crypto wallet. This means whenever you swipe them at a payment terminal or enter your card details to make an online payment, the card provider converts your digital coins into fiat currency at the current exchange rate to complete the transaction.

The big difference between prepaid and non-prepaid crypto cards is what point your fiat is converted to crypto coins. As the crypto market can be quite volatile, it’s important to understand at what point in the transaction process will your currency be converted – and at what exchange rate.

Crypto cards can also come in two forms. Physical cards that you can carry around in your wallet, swipe at payment terminals and use at ATMs. Or virtual cards that allow you to enter your card details for online purchases.

How much do they cost?

It’s important to understand the costs when it comes to crypto debit cards, as there are several different fees involved.

CostWhat is it?
Card issuance costMost crypto card providers charge a card issuance fee for ordering, delivering and activating your card. Prices can vary, so it’s worth comparing costs.
Loading feesYou’ll find that many providers charge a fee when you load your card with crypto coins or tokens. This can either be a flat fee or a percentage of your transaction amount.
Monthly service feeSome providers charge a monthly service fee for use of the card. This fee is generally minimal (around £1-2) but make sure you include it in your calculations.
Annual feeRather than a monthly fee, you may find that your provider charges an annual fee to all cardholders.
Exchange feeThe exchange fee – or currency conversion fee – is how much you are charged for converting crypto into fiat currency or converting one fiat currency into another or converting one cryptocurrency to another. You could be charged a flat amount or a fee calculated as a percentage of the transaction.
ATM withdrawal feeThis is how much it will cost you to make an ATM withdrawal with your card. The fee may vary if you are using your card abroad.
International transaction feeCheck what fee the provider will charge you for international transactions on your card. Fees of 3% are not uncommon.
Inactivity feeYou may find that some providers will charge a fee if your card is inactive for a specified period of time.
Third-party feesAdditional fees may also be charged at the point of sale, usually by whichever merchant is accepting the card. Depending on your country and the type of purchase, this will often be around 1.5% to 3% to cover the portion of profits taken by Visa, Mastercard or other payment networks.

Can I earn rewards with my crypto debit card?

Lots of crypto cards or Bitcoin debit cards give you the opportunity to earn rewards on your card spending. These rewards come in many different forms:

  • Cashback. Some crypto cards will allow you to earn cashback in the form of regular money or cryptocurrencies.
  • Redemptions. This type of reward means that you can earn yourself a redemption towards things like TV subscription services, hotel bookings or air miles.
  • Travel benefits. Much like reward credit cards, you will find that some crypto debit cards open the door to travel benefits like airport lounge access.

Can I use my crypto debit card abroad?

Many crypto debit cards support multiple currencies, so they are handy if you travel a lot and want to use your card abroad. There are just a few things to keep in mind.

  • Supported currencies. Check which fiat currencies the card supports, as this will impact where you can use the card.
  • Geographical restrictions. Some cards will have geographical restrictions, such as they can only be used in Europe.
  • Fees. Make sure you understand the costs involved in using your card abroad. You will typically find that you are charged an international transaction fee, as well as an international ATM withdrawal fee.

What are the benefits and risks of having a crypto debit card?

If you’re considering getting a cryptocurrency debit card, make sure you consider the pros and cons first.

Benefits of Bitcoin debit cards

  • Convenience. They provide access to your crypto coins and allow you to spend your cryptocurrency in the real world.
  • Conversion. Crypto cards are a quick and easy way to convert your crypto into fiat currency.
  • Rewards. Depending on the card you choose, you stand to receive rewards on your spending. You may be able to earn crypto cashback or have exclusive member benefits like airport lounge access – much like reward credit cards.
  • Exchange rates. If you opt for a prepaid crypto card, then you can convert your crypto into fiat straight away. The advantage to this comes if you monitor exchange rates and make the conversion when the rate is more favourable.

Risks of Bitcoin debit cards

  • Rates & fees. These vary between cards but can significantly increase costs when spending Bitcoin or other crypto coins.
  • Limited options. There aren’t that many cards available in the UK just yet, so there are limited options.
  • Regulatory uncertainty. Some banks and payment networks have imposed restrictions on these types of cards, so you may find that the card is not accepted by some retailers.
  • Centralisation. You need to entrust control of your digital currency to a third party.
  • Tax liability. As each time you use your crypto debit card you are selling your crypto, you could be liable for capital gains tax.
  • Volatility. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, so make sure you understand the risks before committing your money to crypto.

If you’d like to sign up for a Bitcoin debit card and spend your crypto on everyday purchases, compare the available cards in the comparison table above to get started.

Compare crypto debit cards

Frequently asked questions

*Cryptocurrencies aren't regulated in the UK and there's no protection from the Financial Ombudsman or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Your capital is at risk. Capital gains tax on profits may apply.

Cryptocurrencies are speculative and investing in them involves significant risks - they're highly volatile, vulnerable to hacking and sensitive to secondary activity. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This content shouldn't be interpreted as a recommendation to invest. Before you invest, you should get advice and decide whether the potential return outweighs the risks. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.

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Written by

Writer

Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio

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