Uphold Card vs. Coinbase Card: Which Crypto Card is Right for You in 2025?

Crypto payment cards are powerful tools that transform how crypto enthusiasts manage and spend their digital assets. The Uphold Card and the Coinbase Card are two leading options, each offering unique benefits that make crypto spending straightforward and rewarding.

This article will guide you through a comprehensive comparison of the Uphold and Coinbase crypto cards to help you determine which card best suits your needs.

Uphold Card Overview

The Uphold Card is a Mastercard that allows users to spend over 200 currencies and cryptocurrencies worldwide while earning rewards. This can be ideal for users who hold a diverse range of assets in their Uphold wallet.

Thanks to its 0% foreign transaction fees, the Uphold crypto card can be an excellent choice when traveling abroad. However, there’s a daily limit. You can spend a maximum of £10,000 daily in one or multiple transactions.

While Uphold doesn’t charge monthly or annual fees for the card or for using the card for purchases, there are fees for ATM cash withdrawals. ATM withdrawals in the UK and the EU come with a £2.50 fee, while foreign ATM withdrawals cost £3.50. This makes it one of the most cost-effective cards you can get — even for cash withdrawals.

The Uphold app is user-friendly. It allows users to track their spending in real-time, even by category, including restaurants, groceries, health, and more. You can also add your card to your mobile wallet with Apple Pay or Google Pay.

All Uphold users in the UK are eligible for the card after they create a free account with Uphold. The card can be activated within the mobile wallet, and a virtual card will appear, ready for use. To get the physical card, there’s a one-time shipping fee of £9.95.

Occasionally, Uphold offers cashback rewards on select purchases made with the card, with a maximum cap of £100 worth of rewards each month. You’ll get your rewards up to the 15th of the following month. Currently, the reward promotion is 1% cash back on eligible purchases, paid out in GBP, making it one of the best cards for spending crypto.

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Coinbase Card Overview

Coinbase has partnered with Visa to bring a crypto card designed for crypto enthusiasts, particularly those already using the Coinbase platform. Funding the card is easy. Simply link your bank account or get part of your paycheck into Coinbase with zero fees and use these assets on your card.

There are no fees for spending GBP or trading fees for spending crypto with your card, including the USD stablecoin USDC. Moreover, there are no charges or fees for ATM cash withdrawals, but the ATM may charge its own fee, depending on the bank.

Unlike Uphold, where you know you earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases, the Coinbase Card offers customizable rewards that allow users to choose their preferred cryptocurrency rewards.

To select your rewards, log in to your Coinbase account or access the Coinbase app. Select the card and select the “Choose new reward” option. You must select “Start earning” to confirm your reward. The rewards vary and can include 4% cash back if you use a specific cryptocurrency for your card spending, such as XRP.

If the reward expires and you don’t select a new one, Coinbase will automatically pick a reward option for you.

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Uphold Crypto Card vs Coinbase Card: Comparing Features, Fees, and Rewards

Our Uphold Card vs Coinbase Card comparison found that these two cards are relatively similar.

1. Pricing and Fee Comparison

Both the Uphold crypto card and the Coinbase Visa debit card have no monthly or annual fees for their holders, making both cards equal.

Moreover, both cards charge no transaction fees whenever you make a purchase, even when traveling abroad.

On the other hand, the Coinbase card charges no fees when you make ATM cash withdrawals, while the Uphold debit card charges a £2.50 fee when withdrawing cash in the UK or the EU and £3.50 when withdrawing cash in other countries. Keep in mind that ATMs may charge additional fees unrelated to the card issuer.

2. Crypto and Fiat Choices for Spending

Coinbase supports more than 240 cryptocurrencies, and clients can hold more than 400 coins and tokens from 38 different chains in their Coinbase wallet. However, depending on their country restrictions, Coinbase clients may have different asset availability.

On the other hand, Uphold supports over 250 cryptocurrencies and many fiat currencies. As a result, our crypto rewards cards comparison found that both cards are relatively equal in terms of supported assets for card spending.

3. Cashback and Reward Opportunities

The Uphold card offers a cashback rewards program. You earn 1% cash back, paid out in GBP, on eligible card purchases. For example, if you spend £10,000 in one year with the card, you’ll get £100 back. This is an excellent option for those who hold various assets in their crypto wallet and don’t want to micromanage their rewards.

Coinbase offers a customizable rewards program, allowing users to select the cryptocurrency rewards they wish to earn. This choice adds flexibility, and users can switch their reward type depending on their preference, giving them control over how rewards are earned. For example, one option rewards 4% cashback for spending select cryptocurrencies.

4. Accessibility and User Experience

Uphold’s platform provides an intuitive interface, allowing users to seamlessly convert assets and track spending through the Uphold mobile app. This makes it accessible to users of all experience levels.

Coinbase is equally user-friendly as its platform offers simplicity for existing Coinbase users, as transactions, asset management, and reward selection can all be managed in one place.

5. Privacy and Security Features

As far as security is concerned, both Uphold and Coinbase score highly on all metrics.

In addition to the standard two-factor authentication and email alerts, Uphold Crypto Card also includes instant spending alerts, which help determine whether someone used your card without your authorization. An instant freeze/unfreeze feature is also available within the Uphold app. If you suspect someone has accessed your card, simply freeze it with a tap of a button.

Uphold also undertakes independent security audits and conducts Penetration testing several times a year as a safety measure for its platform.

With a strong focus on security, Coinbase provides two-factor authentication and account notifications to enhance user safety. Like the Uphold crypto card, the Coinbase card has a locking feature within the mobile app, where you can instantly lock your card to prevent further use in case someone has stolen it.

Moreover, Coinbase boasts 24/7 phone and email support, which is incredibly helpful if you need assistance. Coinbase’s established reputation for secure crypto transactions also adds peace of mind for card users.

6. Customer Care

Uphold provides responsive customer support via email, and user feedback suggests a positive overall experience. However, some users have complained of a slower response time.

Coinbase offers a robust support system, which includes online resources, FAQs, and 24/7 phone customer service for card-related queries. User experiences are generally favorable, particularly among those familiar with Coinbase’s ecosystem.

Determining the Right Card for Your Needs

The Uphold Card may appeal more to travelers due to its broad asset support and no foreign transaction fees. It also offers cashback incentives, with 1% back on eligible purchases, making it ideal for users who don’t want to micromanage their spending.

Coinbase’s customizable rewards program could be a better option for those trying to maximize their rewards. Moreover, Coinbase doesn’t charge ATM cash withdrawal fees, making it a slightly better choice for those seeking cash for their crypto assets.

Summary and Takeaways

Our Uphold card vs. Coinbase card has shown that both crypto cards offer unique advantages, catering to different types of users based on their spending preferences, reward priorities, and crypto management needs.

The Uphold card shines in its extensive multi-asset support and flat-rate cashback options, making it one of the best crypto debit cards for 2025, while the Coinbase card stands out with its fee-free cash withdrawals and customizable rewards.

Whether you’re a frequent traveler, rewards-focused user, or dedicated crypto enthusiast, getting a crypto card could help you make the most of crypto.

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FAQs

What purchases are ineligible for earning cashback rewards with the Uphold card?

Multiple purchases, including tax payments, fines, alimony, child support or court costs, bail and bond payments, government services, and gambling and betting, aren’t eligible for the cashback rewards.

Can I freeze my Uphold card?

Yes. Freeze or unfreeze your card using the Uphold mobile app.

Can I lock my Coinbase card?

Yes, the Coinbase card offers a lock/unlock feature in your account settings.

References

1. Visa, Coinbase Offer Real-Time Crypto Purchases Via Debit Cards (Bloomberg)