Ether.fi Cash Card vs Coinbase, Gemini, and Others | Crypto Card Showdown

By Pratik Bhuyan Updated August 25, 2025

Summary

Crypto payment cards are becoming mainstream by blending everyday spending with crypto rewards and perks.
Gemini, Coinbase, ether.fi, Crypto.com & KuCoin each target different user types with varying cashback, fees and accessibility.
The ether.fi Cash Card stands out for being non-custodial, offering yield integration, collateralized credit and strong cashback.

Introduction

Crypto payment cards have taken off in recent years, drawing interest from both crypto enthusiasts and everyday spenders. They offer a way to earn rewards, mostly in crypto itself, while simplifying spending habits and earning returns at the same time. As more people embrace digital assets, crypto cards are becoming increasingly mainstream thanks to their appealing perks.

Comparison of Crypto’s Most Popular Cards

Let’s walk through some well-known options: Gemini Credit Card, Coinbase Card, Crypto.com Card, KuCoin Card, Gnosis Card and the latest ether.fi Card.

Gemini Credit Card

Gemini’s Mastercard offers up to 4% back in crypto on select categories (gas, EV charging, rideshares, transit), then 3% on dining, 2% on groceries, and 1% on everything else. There are no annual or foreign transaction fees, and rewards are instantly deposited in your Gemini account; plus you can pick from over 50 cryptocurrencies. A solid choice for U.S. cardholders who want frequent crypto rewards without complications.

You can learn more in our detailed Gemini Card Review covering its features, benefits, and fees.

Coinbase Cards

The Coinbase Card (debit-style Visa card) lets USA users spend directly from their Coinbase balance and get rewards in BTC or ETH. It’s straightforward and convenient for existing Coinbase customers, though rewards are relatively modest at around 0.5%. Each time you make a purchase does create a taxable event, but Coinbase does send you a detailed report on this.

Coinbase recently also launched the Coinbase One Card, a sleek American Express-backed credit card available exclusively to Coinbase One members in the U.S. Starting this fall, it offers up to 4 % back in Bitcoin on everyday purchases, with the specific rate tier tied to the amount of assets you hold on Coinbase.

Read our full Coinbase One Card Review for a complete breakdown.

Crypto.com Card

Crypto.com offers a tiered structure: earn 1.5% CRO (their native token) with no stake, rising to as much as 5% if you stake large amounts of CRO (up to $500,000). Higher tiers unlock more perks, but also demand substantial commitment. This card is also available throughout Europe, Asia and the USA.

KuCoin and Similar Cards

The KuCoin Card (KuCard) is a Visa debit card designed for KuCoin exchange users. Cardholders can earn up to 3% cashback during promotional periods or depending on their VIP level. It’s still limited in reach compared to bigger players like Coinbase or Crypto.com, but provides another option for those who already use KuCoin for trading and want a straightforward way to spend their balances.

ether.fi Card (ether.fi Cash)

Now, if you’re into DeFi, the ether.fi Cash Card deserves a closer look. It’s a non-custodial Visa card that works in two ways:

As a high-reward debit account: earn 3% cashback (2% base for standard users, 3% for Luxe/Pinnacle tiers) while collecting 8%+ APY on USDC and yields on BTC and ETH.
As a credit account: borrow against your crypto collateral (think Aave in your pocket) and spend without selling your assets.

That “never sell” approach is key. Instead of off-ramping and triggering taxable events, you can live off your stack while it compounds with yield and cashback. Your crypto stays in your wallet, continues to earn, and you spend only against it.

Other features worth noting:

Global availability (Many countries globally, excluding OFAC countries).
Apple Pay and Google Pay ready, with no application fees.
Always net-positive cashback: with only a 1% max FX fee, even base-level users make at least 2% back.
Integration with ether.fi Liquid Vaults: seamless access to high-yield vaults without moving funds.
Cashback in $SCR token: rewards in Scroll’s native token, but you can easily trade them into USDC if that’s what you prefer.

Adoption is already picking up: as of June 2025, ether.fi Cash surpassed $10M in daily volume, processed over 80,000 transactions, and issued more than 2,500 cards. Each swipe also drives ETHFI token demand, linking user growth directly to protocol revenue.

Check out our ether.fi cash card review for more details.

Compared to others, ether.fi’s mix of DeFi-native design, self-custody, real yield, and collateralized credit gives it an edge, especially for power users who want to keep their assets working while gaining everyday convenience.

Comparison Table

Card Name	Card Type	Rewards Rate	Reward Currency Options	Key Perks	Annual Fee	Custody Type
Gemini Credit Card	Credit (Mastercard)	4% on gas/EV/transport (up to $300/month, then 1%), 3% dining, 2% groceries, 1% others	Various cryptos via Gemini	Instant crypto rewards, no foreign transaction or annual fees	$0	Custodial
Coinbase Card	Debit (Visa)	~0.5% back in crypto	BTC, ETH	Spend directly from Coinbase, simple UX	$0	Custodial
Coinbase One Card	Credit (AMEX)	Up to 4% BTC back (tiered)	BTC	Exclusive to Coinbase One members, AMEX perks	$50 for Coinbase One Membership	Custodial
Crypto.com Card	Prepaid/Possible Credit (Visa)	Up to ~5% back in CRO for everyday spending at top tier (locks or stakes CRO)	CRO	Tiered rewards, subscription rebates (e.g., Spotify, Netflix)	$0	Custodial
KuCoin Card	Debit (Visa)	Up to 3% cashback (promo / VIP), typically lower standard rate	BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, XRP, KCS	Integrated with its exchange, crypto conversion at POS	€10 annual, €9.99 issuance	Custodial
ether.fi Cash Card	Credit/Debit (Visa)	Up to 3% cashback on all purchases (promotions up to 5% with ETHFI tokens)	SCR + ETHFI token in promos	Dual debit/credit mode, global availability, yield integration, “never sell” borrowing	$0	Non-custodial

Final Thoughts

All of these crypto cards offer unique value:

Gemini: Strong everyday returns, no fees, seamless U.S. coverage.
Coinbase: Great for existing users, simple crypto capture.
Crypto.com: High upside if you don’t mind staking.
Kucoin: Great for self-custody and niche crypto power users.
ether.fi: Non-custodial, collateralized spending, solid cash-back, and tax-efficient spending.

Picking the best crypto card ultimately hinges on your spending style, preferred rewards, and how deeply you're invested in the ecosystem. If a DeFi-native option with strong cashback and innovative integrations sounds right for you, the ether.fi Card is worth exploring further.

Want to explore it yourself? Sign up for the ether.fi Cash card here.