ether.fi Cash vs Uphold Debit Card (US)
Crypto native
Crypto native
Verdict
- ether.fi Cash scores higher overall (5.8 vs 5.3 out of 10).
- ether.fi Cash is clearly stronger on: Cashback & rewards, Availability, Credit & financing.
- Uphold Debit Card (US) is clearly stronger on: Limits & ATM.
- A full annual cost comparison is not possible yet because some fees are not disclosed or not yet researched.
ether.fi Cash is a good fit for
- People who want to keep control of their keys
- Users who need credit rather than a debit/prepaid card
- Everyday spenders who want cashback
Stronger on: Cashback & rewards, Availability, Credit & financing
Uphold Debit Card (US) is a good fit for
- Everyday spenders who want cashback
Stronger on: Limits & ATM
Score by criterion
| Criterion | ether.fi Cash | Uphold Debit Card (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | – | 99 |
| Cashback & rewards | 59 | 47 |
| Availability | 20 | 3 |
| FX & international | 40 | 40 |
| Product features | 100 | – |
| Custody & security | 80 | – |
| Credit & financing | 75 | 30 |
| Limits & ATM | 60 | 74 |
| Transparency | 79 | 86 |
| Best for Cashback | 5.7 | 5.4 |
| Best for Travel | 5.2 | 5.4 |
| Best for Self-Custody | 7.0 | n/a |
| Best for DeFi Users | 7.1 | 5.5 |
| Best for High Spenders | 6.0 | 5.7 |
| Best for Low Fees | 5.3 | 7.8 |
| Best for Beginners | 6.8 | 6.0 |
| Best Crypto Credit Card | 7.0 | n/a |
Product
Product status
ActiveShow source
Product status: Active
Source states (paraphrased): Help center describes current personal and corporate Cash cards.
Source: What are the benefits of a personal Cash credit card?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
ActiveShow source
Product status: Active
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Card type
Crypto-backed credit*Show source
Card type: Crypto-backed credit
Marketed as a credit card; Direct Pay mode spends your own balance
Source states (paraphrased): Help center: Borrow Mode borrows against your assets, Direct Pay Mode spends them.
Source: Understanding your Cash card: Borrow Mode vs Direct Pay Mode
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Marketed as a credit card; Direct Pay mode spends your own balance
Debit cardShow source
Card type: Debit card
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Custody model
Self-custody*Show source
Custody model: Self-custody
Account is non-custodial; the card itself is issued by a third-party issuer under separate terms
Source states (paraphrased): Personal account page: fully non-custodial, you retain full ownership and control of your funds; card issued subject to separate issuer terms.
Source: Personal Account
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Account is non-custodial; the card itself is issued by a third-party issuer under separate terms
Tiers / plans
Core · Luxe · Pinnacle · VIPShow source
Tiers / plans: Core · Luxe · Pinnacle · VIP
Source states (paraphrased): Membership level benefits table lists Core, Luxe, Pinnacle and VIP.
Source: Membership level benefits
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Essential (no annual fee) · Elite ($99.99/year)Show source
Tiers / plans: Essential (no annual fee) · Elite ($99.99/year)
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Fees
Annual fee
Free*Show source
Annual fee: Free
Essential; Elite $99.99/year
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Essential; Elite $99.99/year
Physical card fee
$50*Show source
Physical card fee: $50
Core tier, after the tier's free-card allowance; $100 Luxe/Pinnacle, $0 VIP; may vary by region
Source states (paraphrased): Physical card fees: $50 Core, $100 Luxe and Pinnacle, $0 VIP, after free allowance.
Source: What are the benefits of a personal Cash credit card?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Core tier, after the tier's free-card allowance; $100 Luxe/Pinnacle, $0 VIP; may vary by region
$4.99*Show source
Physical card fee: $4.99
Essential
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Essential
Virtual card fee
$10*Show source
Virtual card fee: $10
After the tier's free-card allowance; $0 for VIP
Source states (paraphrased): Virtual card fees: $10 Core, Luxe and Pinnacle; $0 VIP.
Source: What are the benefits of a personal Cash credit card?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
After the tier's free-card allowance; $0 for VIP
FX fee
1.5%*Show source
FX fee: 1.5%
Up to; Core tier: ~1% base rate + up to 0.5% membership margin (Luxe up to 0.25%, none for Pinnacle/VIP). EUR purchases 0% (beta)
Source states (paraphrased): Cardholder agreement: 1% base plus up to 50 bps for Core and up to 25 bps for Luxe.
Source: ether.fi Cash Cardholder Agreement – Ltd. (International)
Official terms & conditions (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 65%
Up to; Core tier: ~1% base rate + up to 0.5% membership margin (Luxe up to 0.25%, none for Pinnacle/VIP). EUR purchases 0% (beta)
1.5%*Show source
FX fee: 1.5%
Essential; Elite has no foreign transaction fees
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Essential; Elite has no foreign transaction fees
ATM fee
2%Show source
ATM fee: 2%
Source states (paraphrased): Campaign page lists a 2% ATM fee for all tiers.
Source: The DeFi-Native Crypto Credit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 50%
$2.95*Show source
ATM fee: $2.95
Essential; Elite has no ATM fees
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Essential; Elite has no ATM fees
Cashback & rewards
Base cashback
3%*Show source
Base cashback: 3%
Core membership, on the first $2,000 of card spend per month
Source states (paraphrased): Core: 3% on the first $2,000 of monthly card spend.
Source: Membership level benefits
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Core membership, on the first $2,000 of card spend per month
2%*Show source
Base cashback: 2%
Essential, paid in XRP
Source: Uphold Card Rewards Terms and Conditions
Official terms & conditions (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Essential, paid in XRP
Max cashback
4%*Show source
Max cashback: 4%
VIP membership, on the first $50,000 of card spend per month
Source states (paraphrased): VIP: 4% on the first $50,000 of monthly card spend.
Source: Membership level benefits
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
VIP membership, on the first $50,000 of card spend per month
4%*Show source
Max cashback: 4%
Elite ($99.99/yr) on crypto- or metal-funded purchases; 3% when funded by fiat or stablecoins
Source: Uphold Card Rewards Terms and Conditions
Official terms & conditions (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Elite ($99.99/yr) on crypto- or metal-funded purchases; 3% when funded by fiat or stablecoins
Cashback paid in
ETHFIShow source
Cashback paid in: ETHFI
Source states (paraphrased): Cashback is converted to ETHFI at the current price.
Source: How does cashback work?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
XRP (or other crypto at Uphold's discretion)Show source
Cashback paid in: XRP (or other crypto at Uphold's discretion)
Source: Uphold Card Rewards Terms and Conditions
Official terms & conditions (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Cashback type
Platform tokenShow source
Cashback type: Platform token
Source: How does cashback work?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
CryptoShow source
Cashback type: Crypto
Source: Uphold Card Rewards Terms and Conditions
Official terms & conditions (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Cashback-eligible spend cap
$2,000/month*Show source
Cashback-eligible spend cap: $2,000/month
Core; Luxe $10,000, Pinnacle/VIP $50,000 per month
Source states (paraphrased): Monthly spend caps per tier: $2,000 / $10,000 / $50,000 / $50,000.
Source: Membership level benefits
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Core; Luxe $10,000, Pinnacle/VIP $50,000 per month
Max cashback per month
$120/month*Show source
Max cashback per month: $120/month
Essential; Elite $300/month
Source: Uphold Card Rewards Terms and Conditions
Official terms & conditions (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Essential; Elite $300/month
Cashback conditions
Minimum $5 of cashback required to claim · Spend tiers reset at the start of every monthShow source
Cashback conditions: Minimum $5 of cashback required to claim · Spend tiers reset at the start of every month
Source states (paraphrased): Cashback article: $5 minimum to claim; spend tiers reset monthly.
Source: How does cashback work?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Reward expiry / vesting
Converted to ETHFI at settlement, locked for 7 days, then must be claimedShow source
Reward expiry / vesting: Converted to ETHFI at settlement, locked for 7 days, then must be claimed
Source states (paraphrased): Cashback enters a 7-day lock period and must be claimed to reach your balance.
Source: How does cashback work?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Credit & financing
Credit line
Yes*Show source
Credit line: Yes
Borrow Mode
Source states (paraphrased): Borrow Mode purchases borrow against your assets instead of selling them.
Source: Understanding your Cash card: Borrow Mode vs Direct Pay Mode
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Borrow Mode
NoShow source
Credit line: No
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Credit type
Crypto-backed creditShow source
Credit type: Crypto-backed credit
Source states (paraphrased): Spending in Borrow Mode is capped at the available LTV of deposited collateral.
Source: How does Collateral and Borrowing work?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Interest notes
Variable rate set by the underlying lending market for each asset; ether.fi does not set the rate.Show source
Interest notes: Variable rate set by the underlying lending market for each asset; ether.fi does not set the rate.
Source states (paraphrased): Terms of use: ether.fi does not set your interest rate; help center: variable APY from the lending market.
Source: Terms of Use
Official terms & conditions (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Liquidation risk
YesShow source
Liquidation risk: Yes
Source states (paraphrased): Help center lists per-asset liquidation thresholds.
Source: How does Collateral and Borrowing work?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Spend own balance directly
YesShow source
Spend own balance directly: Yes
Source states (paraphrased): Direct Pay Mode spends your balance.
Source: Understanding your Cash card: Borrow Mode vs Direct Pay Mode
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Spend by borrowing against collateral
YesShow source
Spend by borrowing against collateral: Yes
Source states (paraphrased): Borrow Mode borrows against your collateral.
Source: Understanding your Cash card: Borrow Mode vs Direct Pay Mode
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Availability
Available in
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United States*Show source
Available in: United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United States
Plus most EU countries; US only in selected states; physical cards not shipped to every eligible region
Source states (paraphrased): Country list covers the UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore, UAE, most of the EU and 30+ US states.
Source: In which countries is the Cash card available?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 50%
Plus most EU countries; US only in selected states; physical cards not shipped to every eligible region
United States*Show source
Available in: United States
Not in Louisiana, New York or US territories
Source: Introducing the Uphold Debit Card
Official product page (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Not in Louisiana, New York or US territories
Features
Apple Pay
Yes*Show source
Apple Pay: Yes
Only where Apple Pay is supported
Source states (paraphrased): Help article explains adding the card to Apple Wallet and Google Pay.
Source: How do I add my card to Apple Wallet or Google Pay?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Only where Apple Pay is supported
Google Pay
YesShow source
Google Pay: Yes
Source states (paraphrased): Help article explains adding the card to Google Pay.
Source: How do I add my card to Apple Wallet or Google Pay?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Physical card
Yes*Show source
Physical card: Yes
Not shipped to every eligible region
Source states (paraphrased): Available as both a virtual and physical card.
Source: What is ether.fi Cash?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Not shipped to every eligible region
Virtual card
YesShow source
Virtual card: Yes
Source states (paraphrased): Available as both a virtual and physical card.
Source: What is ether.fi Cash?
Official help center / FAQ (tier 1)
Initial research (official source, awaiting agent verification) · retrieved 22 October 2026 · confidence 60%
Annual cost at 1,500 EUR/month
ether.fi Cash
- Annual & monthly feesunknown
- FX costs−54 EUR
- Crypto conversion–
- ATM costs−24 EUR
- Cashback+540 EUR
- Net annual valuenot enough data
Uphold Debit Card (US)
- Annual & monthly fees+0 EUR
- FX costs−54 EUR
- Crypto conversion–
- ATM costs−31 EUR
- Cashback+360 EUR
- Net annual value275 EUR
Assumes 300 EUR foreign spend and 100 EUR ATM per month, base tier only. Use your own numbers