Kite Card vs Uphold Debit Card (US)
Crypto native
Crypto native
Verdict
- Kite Card scores higher overall (5.8 vs 5.6 out of 10).
- Kite Card is clearly stronger on: Availability.
- Uphold Debit Card (US) is clearly stronger on: FX & international, Product features.
- A full annual cost comparison is not possible yet because some fees are not disclosed or not yet researched.
Kite Card is a good fit for
- People who want to keep control of their keys
Stronger on: Availability
Uphold Debit Card (US) is a good fit for
- Stablecoin holders
- Everyday spenders who want cashback
Stronger on: FX & international, Product features
★ Our pickEditorial choice · score unchanged · Affiliate link
Neither card is our pick. The card we recommend instead:
Crypto native · ether.fi
Why we recommend it
- 3% cashback in ETHFI on up to $2,000 of spend a monthConditions apply
- 5.35% variable interest on your balanceConditions apply
- No annual or monthly fee on the base tierConditions apply
- Extras on the base tier: airport lounge access, travel / rental car insurance, purchase protectionConditions apply
- Self-custody: funds stay in your own walletConditions apply
Conditions apply; the review lists them with sources.
Score by criterion
| Criterion | Kite Card | Uphold Debit Card (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | 100 | 99 |
| Cashback & rewards | – | 50 |
| Availability | 20 | 3 |
| FX & international | 28 | 40 |
| Product features | 47 | 70 |
| Custody & security | 80 | – |
| Credit & financing | – | 30 |
| Limits & ATM | – | 74 |
| Transparency | 100 | 100 |
| Best for Cashback | n/a | 5.7 |
| Best for Travel | 4.9 | 5.7 |
| Best for Self-Custody | 7.1 | n/a |
| Best for DeFi Users | 6.8 | 5.8 |
| Best for Stablecoins | n/a | 6.7 |
| Best for High Spenders | n/a | 6.0 |
| Best for Low Fees | 7.5 | 8.1 |
| Best for Beginners | 6.8 | 6.8 |
Conditions apply, e.g. only for the base tier, up to a monthly cap or in some countries. Tap a value with * (or hover over it) to see them.
Product
Product status
ActiveShow source
ActiveShow source
Card type
Debit cardShow source
Network
VisaShow source
VisaShow source
Custody model
Self-custodyShow source
Tiers / plans
Essential (no annual fee) · Elite ($99.99/year)Show source
Fees
Annual fee
FreeShow source
FreeConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential; Elite $99.99/year
Physical card fee
$4.99Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential
Virtual card fee
FreeShow source
Replacement fee
FreeShow source
FX fee
1.8%Show source
1.5%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential; Elite has no foreign transaction fees
Crypto conversion fee
0%Show source
ATM fee
$2.95Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential; Elite has no ATM fees
Cashback & rewards
Base cashback
2%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential, paid in XRP
Max cashback
4%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Elite ($99.99/yr) on crypto- or metal-funded purchases; 3% when funded by fiat or stablecoins
Cashback paid in
XRP (or other crypto at Uphold's discretion)Show source
Cashback type
CryptoShow source
Interest on balance
3%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Up to 3% APY on stablecoin balances; variable; no paid plan stated on page
Max cashback per month
$120/monthConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential; Elite $300/month
Credit & financing
Credit line
NoShow source
Availability
Available in
Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South KoreaShow source
United StatesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Not in Louisiana, New York or US territories
Account / spend currencies
USDC · USDTShow source
Features
Apple Pay
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
When available
Google Pay
YesShow source
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
When available
Physical card
NoConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Coming soon
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential: plastic $4.99; Elite: metal $0
Virtual card
YesShow source
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential and Elite: $0
ATM withdrawals
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Essential: $2.95 per withdrawal; Elite: $0
Spend stablecoins
YesShow source
Security & custody
Regulation / licences
USD balances held at Cross River Bank, Member FDIC (pass-through insurance up to $250,000 if conditions are met) · Uphold is not a bankShow source
Annual cost at 1,500 EUR/month
Kite Card
- Annual & monthly fees+0 EUR
- FX costs−65 EUR
- Crypto conversion–
- ATM costsunknown
- Cashbackunknown
- Net annual valuenot enough data
Uphold Debit Card (US)
- Annual & monthly fees+0 EUR
- FX costs−54 EUR
- Crypto conversion–
- ATM costs−32 EUR
- Cashback+360 EUR
- Net annual value274 EUR
Assumes 300 EUR foreign spend and 100 EUR ATM per month, base tier only. Use your own numbers