Cryptocurrency debit cards have transformed the way digital asset holders make everyday purchases. Among the leading options in this space is the Uphold Card, a Mastercard-powered solution that enables seamless spending of crypto, fiat, and even precious metals. With competitive cashback rewards, low fees, and an intuitive mobile app, the Uphold Card stands out as a compelling choice for both crypto enthusiasts and mainstream users.
This comprehensive review dives deep into the Uphold Card’s features, including fees, transaction limits, supported cryptocurrencies, cashback program, country availability, and how it compares to alternatives. Whether you're new to crypto finance or a seasoned trader, you’ll gain all the insights needed to determine if the Uphold Card aligns with your financial goals.
👉 Discover how the Uphold Card can simplify your crypto spending today.
What Is Uphold?
Uphold is a multi-asset financial platform founded in 2014, originally launched as Bitreserve. Headquartered in San Francisco and now led by CEO J.P. Thieriot, Uphold has evolved into one of the most versatile trading ecosystems in the fintech space.
The platform’s standout feature is its "Anything-to-Anything" trading engine, allowing users to convert directly between asset classes—such as Bitcoin to Tesla stock or gold to euros—without intermediate conversions into USD. This eliminates unnecessary steps and reduces costs compared to traditional exchanges that require bridging through fiat.
Uphold supports trading across:
- Cryptocurrencies
- Fiat currencies
- Precious metals (gold, silver)
- US equities and ETFs
All transactions occur within a single account interface, making it ideal for users who want consolidated access to diverse investment types. The platform also emphasizes transparency and cost efficiency, with no hidden fees and real-time pricing displayed to the fifth decimal.
Uphold Card Overview
The Uphold Card is a physical and virtual Mastercard linked directly to your Uphold wallet. It allows you to spend crypto assets instantly at any merchant that accepts Mastercard—online, in-store, or at ATMs.
Key Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card Network | Mastercard |
| Supported Currency | USD (primary spending currency) |
| Available Regions | United States and select international markets |
| Card Delivery Time | 7–10 business days |
| Issuing Bank | Metropolitan Commercial Bank |
| Mobile Wallet Support | Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Top-Up Methods | Crypto deposits, ACH transfers, direct deposit |
| Supported Assets | Over 50 cryptocurrencies and multiple fiat currencies |
Fees & Transaction Limits
One of Uphold’s biggest advantages is its transparent and competitive fee structure.
Deposit Fees
- ACH (U.S. Bank Transfer): Free
- SEPA (Euro Zone): Free
- FPS (UK Faster Payments): Free
- SWIFT: Free
- **Wire Transfer (< $5,000):** $30
- Wire Transfer (≥ $5,000): Free
- Debit Card Deposit: 3.99%
Withdrawal Fees
- Bank Transfers (ACH, SEPA, FPS, SWIFT): Free
- Crypto Withdrawals: $2.99 flat fee + dynamic network fee
Card Usage Fees
- Domestic ATM Withdrawal: $2.50
- International ATM Withdrawal: $3.50
- Foreign Exchange Fee: 0%
- In-Store & Online Purchases: Free
Transaction Limits
- Daily Spending Limit: $10,000
- Daily Cash Withdrawal Limit: $1,500
- Per-Transaction ATM Limit: $500
- Monthly/Yearly Spending: Unlimited
👉 Maximize your spending power with zero foreign transaction fees.
Cashback Rewards & Benefits
The Uphold Card offers one of the most accessible cashback programs in the crypto card market.
Cashback Structure
- 1% cashback on all purchases made using fiat funds (USD)
- 2% cashback when using any cryptocurrency for payment
Unlike competitors such as Binance or Crypto.com, which require staking native tokens (like BNB or CRO) to unlock higher rewards, Uphold delivers cashback automatically—no token holdings required.
Rewards are credited back to your Uphold account in the form of the asset used for the purchase (e.g., spend BTC → earn 2% BTC back).
Additional Platform Benefits
- Zero trading commissions on most assets
- Low spreads (~80–120 bps) compared to industry averages (160–250 bps)
- No account minimums or dormancy fees
- Instant peer-to-peer transfers with no fees
- Fractional stock trading available globally
Supported Cryptocurrencies
Uphold supports a broad range of digital assets, though availability varies by region.
United States
Over 60 cryptocurrencies supported, including:
BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, DOGE, ADA, SOL, DOT, MATIC, LINK, AAVE, UNI, SUSHI, WBTC, DASH, BAT, and more.
Europe & UK
Available coins include:
BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, ADA, DOGE, DOT, LINK, UNI, VET, XLM, USDC, DAI, and others.
Stablecoins like USDC, DAI, and TUSD are also supported for top-ups.
Supported Fiat Currencies
Uphold supports over 20 fiat currencies for holding and trading:
AED, ARS, AUD, BRL, CAD, CHF, CNY, DKK, EUR, HKD, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, MXN, NOK, NZD, PHP, SEK, SGD, USD.
However:
- USD, EUR, and GBP are the only fiat currencies available for card spending in Europe and the UK.
- U.S. users primarily transact in USD via the card.
Supported Countries
The Uphold Card is available to users in over 200 countries, but funding and withdrawals are limited to specific jurisdictions:
Eligible Countries for Bank Transactions:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.
Residents outside these countries can still use the card if they have a verified account and sufficient balance.
How to Get the Uphold Card
Obtaining the card is straightforward:
- Sign up on Uphold.com or via the mobile app.
- Complete identity verification (KYC required).
- Link your phone number and enable 2FA.
- Confirm personal details and accept terms.
- Pay the $9.95 issuance fee.
- Wait 7–10 business days for delivery.
Once received:
- Activate via the mobile app or by calling customer service.
- Add to Apple Pay or Google Pay for contactless use.
Note: While the physical card doesn’t currently support contactless NFC payments at terminals (as of latest update), digital wallet integration allows tap-to-pay functionality.
Mobile App Experience
The Uphold mobile app (available on iOS and Android) mirrors the desktop experience with a clean, intuitive design focused on speed and accessibility.
Key App Features
- Two-click trading: Execute asset swaps in under 30 seconds.
- Real-time market data: Prices updated to five decimal places for precision.
- Portfolio tracking: Monitor all assets—crypto, stocks, metals—in one place.
- "From & To" interface: Easily fund accounts and initiate cross-asset trades.
- Direct transfers: Send money globally with no extra fees.
Users consistently praise the app for its ease of use—especially beginners navigating multi-asset portfolios.
How to Use the Uphold Card
Using the card is similar to any standard debit card:
- Ensure your Uphold wallet has sufficient balance in any supported asset.
- At checkout (online or in-store), select your preferred funding source (crypto or fiat).
- Uphold automatically converts the amount to local currency via Mastercard’s network.
- The merchant receives payment in their local currency; you’re charged in your chosen asset.
All conversions happen instantly behind the scenes—no manual trading needed.
Is the Uphold Card Legit?
Yes. Uphold is a regulated financial entity with strong security protocols:
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- End-to-end encryption
- Mandatory KYC verification
- FDIC-insured USD balances (up to $250k via partner bank)
- Physical reserves backing precious metal holdings
Additionally:
- U.S. customers receive IRS Form 1099 for tax reporting.
- Uphold complies with U.S. tax regulations and reports eligible transactions to the IRS.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Uphold Card available in the United States?
Yes—it's fully available to U.S. residents with no restrictions beyond standard KYC checks.
Are there monthly fees for the Uphold Card?
No. There are no monthly fees. Only a one-time $9.95 issuance fee applies.
Why does Uphold ask for my SSN?
For U.S. users: SSN is required for identity verification and IRS tax reporting (Form 1099).
Can I use the Uphold Card at ATMs?
Yes. You can withdraw cash at any Mastercard-affiliated ATM worldwide.
Does Uphold report to the IRS?
Yes. U.S.-based users’ transaction data may be reported for tax compliance purposes.
Can I spend crypto directly with the card?
Absolutely. You can choose any supported cryptocurrency as your funding source during checkout.
Final Verdict: Is the Uphold Card Worth It?
The Uphold Card delivers a powerful blend of flexibility, low costs, and real-world utility.
✅ Best For:
- Users who want to spend multiple asset types seamlessly
- Investors seeking direct crypto-to-stock conversions
- Frequent travelers needing zero FX fees
- Those who value transparency and no hidden charges
❌ Consider Alternatives If:
- You demand contactless physical card payments (not yet supported)
- You prefer higher cashback tiers tied to token staking
- You need extensive educational resources or 24/7 customer support
👉 See how Uphold stacks up against top crypto wallets and cards today.
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