Best Crypto Cards in United States (2026)

Crypto cards in the US operate under a patchwork of federal and state regulations. Card issuers typically partner with US-licensed banks (e.g., MetaBank, Sutton Bank) and must comply with FinCEN money transmission rules.

The SEC and CFTC continue to debate jurisdiction over digital assets, but card-based spending of crypto (converting to USD at point of sale) is generally treated as a taxable disposition. Some states like New York require a BitLicense for crypto businesses, which limits card availability there. Hawaii's money transmitter rules and other state-level regulations further restrict certain products.

Coinbase has the broadest coverage, but even they are not available in every state for every feature. Cards like Tria and ether.fi are expanding but may have limited state coverage. Verify your state eligibility before applying.

Every crypto card transaction in the US is a taxable event. The IRS treats spending crypto as selling the asset at fair market value. You owe capital gains tax on any appreciation since you acquired the crypto.

The IRS Disposition Trap

Buy a $5 coffee with BTC you acquired at $30,000 when it is worth $90,000, and you owe capital gains on the proportional appreciation. Across hundreds of small transactions per year, the record-keeping burden is brutal. Stablecoin funding eliminates this entirely - USDC in at $1, out at $1, near-zero gain per transaction.

Double Taxation on Volatile Cashback

When you receive $100 in BTC cashback, that is $100 of ordinary income (taxable when received). If BTC then appreciates to $150 before you spend or sell it, you owe capital gains on the $50 appreciation when disposed. Two tax events on one cashback reward.

If this complexity bothers you, choose a card that pays cashback in stablecoins or points instead of volatile crypto.

US crypto card applications require full KYC: government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport), Social Security Number, and proof of address. Some issuers also require a selfie for biometric verification.

Approval is typically instant for Coinbase and BitPay if you already have a verified account. New users should expect 1-3 business days for verification. Physical cards ship to US addresses only - APO/FPO military addresses may not be supported by all issuers.

The Tax-First Strategy

Tax efficiency should drive every decision. Fund with USDC or USDT to minimize taxable events - spending stablecoins pegged to USD generates near-zero capital gains per transaction. If you hold appreciated BTC or ETH, consider whether the tax hit from spending it is worth the convenience.

Card Selection by Use Case

• Widest availability, simplest setup: Coinbase Card (4%, free) - integrates with Koinly, CoinTracker, TurboTax
• Highest cashback in the US: Tria Premium (6%, $250/yr) - worthwhile above ~$700/month spend
• Premium perks + travel: Crypto.com Obsidian (5% + lounges + rebates) - requires CRO staking
• Amex purchase protection: Coinbase One (4%, $49/yr) - the only crypto credit card with Amex benefits

Tria Premium Break-Even Math

The break-even point is approximately $1,050/month. Below that, Coinbase at 4% free beats Tria Premium. Above it, the extra 2% cashback covers the annual fee and then some.

Spending Scenario: $2,500/month

At $2,500/month through Coinbase Card at 4%, you earn $100/month in crypto rewards - $1,200/year.

That cashback is taxable as ordinary income, so at a 24% marginal tax rate the after-tax value is roughly $912/year. Fund with USDC and each of those 100+ monthly transactions generates near-zero capital gains, keeping your tax filing simple.

Coinbase is the dominant US-licensed exchange with a card product, operating under state money transmitter licenses and registered with FinCEN. BitPay is the other major US card issuer, serving as a veteran in the space with gift card and direct spending options. Both are available in most US states, though New York's BitLicense requirement may restrict some products.

Most European-first card issuers - including Binance, Bybit, Crypto.com, and OKX - have not launched card products in the US due to the complex state-by-state licensing requirements. Crypto.com has a US presence but card availability has varied. MetaMask, Gnosis Pay, Ledger, and other self-custody options are primarily European.

For US residents, the practical choices are limited to Coinbase Card and BitPay for exchange-linked options, plus any globally available cards like Kast or xPlace that explicitly support the US market. Always verify current US eligibility before applying.