Gemini Credit Card vs Lava Card
Crypto native
Crypto native
Verdict
- Lava Card scores higher overall (6.4 vs 6.0 out of 10).
- A full annual cost comparison is not possible yet because some fees are not disclosed or not yet researched.
Gemini Credit Card is a good fit for
- Users who need credit rather than a debit/prepaid card
- Frequent travellers
Lava Card is a good fit for
- Stablecoin holders
- Frequent travellers
★ 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 | Gemini Credit Card | Lava Card |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | 100 | 100 |
| Cashback & rewards | 30 | 33 |
| Availability | 3 | – |
| FX & international | 100 | 100 |
| Product features | 70 | – |
| Custody & security | 75 | – |
| Credit & financing | 70 | – |
| Limits & ATM | 11 | – |
| Transparency | 100 | 100 |
| Best for Cashback | 4.8 | 5.4 |
| Best for Travel | 6.7 | 7.6 |
| Best for DeFi Users | 7.1 | n/a |
| Best for Stablecoins | n/a | 7.4 |
| Best for High Spenders | 5.9 | 6.1 |
| Best for Low Fees | 8.7 | 9.3 |
| Best for Beginners | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| Best Crypto Credit Card | 7.2 | n/a |
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
Credit cardShow source
Credit cardConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Secured: spends only the available dollar balance; no unsecured credit
Network
MastercardConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Mastercard World Elite
VisaShow source
Custody model
CustodialConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Crypto rewards are deposited into the Gemini account
Card issuer / program manager
WebBankShow source
Card program by Rain with a partner issuerShow source
Fees
Annual fee
FreeShow source
FreeShow source
FX fee
0%Show source
0%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
No spread on Visa's exchange rate
ATM fee
3% (min. $10)Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Cash advance: $10 or 3%, whichever is greater; cash advance APR 29.74% from the transaction date
Other fees & markups
Late payment up to $35 · Returned payment up to $35 · Penalty APR 33.74% variableShow source
Cashback & rewards
Base cashback
1%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Everything else; 2% groceries, 3% dining
1%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Users based outside the US; 3% for US users; 5% at Lava merchant partners
Max cashback
4%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Gas, EV charging and transit, on up to $300 spend a month (then 1%)
5%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
At Lava merchant partners, worldwide
Cashback paid in
Eligible digital asset selected by the cardholder; bitcoin by defaultConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Cardholder picks from Gemini's list of eligible digital assets and can change the election at any time
BTCShow source
Cashback type
CryptoShow source
CryptoShow source
Cashback-eligible spend cap
$300/monthConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Per month, applies to the 4% gas/EV/transit category only (then 1%); spend cycle refreshes on the 1st of each calendar month
Cashback conditions
4% only on the first $300 of gas/EV/transit spend each month, then 1% · 3% dining, 2% groceries, 1% everything else · Spend cycle refreshes on the 1st of each calendar month · Rewards are deposited when the transaction posts; some exclusions apply to instant rewards · 10% Vault Rewards at selected merchants on a limited monthly spend that varies by merchant offerShow source
3% back in bitcoin for US-based users, 1% outside the US · 5% at Lava merchant partners · Redeemable from 100,000 sats (0.001 BTC) · No rewards on fines, taxes, insurance, rentals and schoolsShow source
Reward exclusions
ATM transactions · Card account fees · Interest charges · Cash advances · Gift cards, prepaid debit cards, traveler's checks, precious metals, casino chips, cryptocurrency, lottery tickets and other cash equivalents · Balance transfers · Credit card convenience checks · Reloading prepaid cards · Gaming-related transactionsConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Full list in the Qualifying Purchase Transaction definition; Gemini Constellation may add exclusions at any time
Credit & financing
Credit line
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Subject to credit approval
Credit type
Revolving creditShow source
Interest (APR)
16.74%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
16.74% to 34.74% variable purchase APR based on creditworthiness (Prime Rate 7.00% on 25 Sep 2026)
Grace period
Payment due at least 25 days after each billing cycle closes; no interest on purchases when the full balance is paid by the due dateShow source
Spend own balance directly
YesShow source
Availability
Available in
United StatesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
US residents only, at application and while the account is open
Account / spend currencies
USDConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Page says "Spend in Dollars"
Features
Physical card
YesShow source
Virtual card
YesShow source
Spend stablecoins
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Stablecoin deposits are credited as dollars
Security & custody
Regulation / licences
Gemini Trust Company, LLC NMLS #1518126 · Gemini Moonbase, LLC NMLS #2403509Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source
Entities offering the rewards program; card issued by WebBank
Annual cost at 1,500 EUR/month
Gemini Credit Card
- Annual & monthly fees+0 EUR
- FX costs+0 EUR
- Crypto conversion–
- ATM costs−107 EUR
- Cashback+32 EUR
- Net annual value-75 EUR
Lava Card
- Annual & monthly fees+0 EUR
- FX costs+0 EUR
- Crypto conversion–
- ATM costsunknown
- Cashback+180 EUR
- Net annual valuenot enough data
Assumes 300 EUR foreign spend and 100 EUR ATM per month, base tier only. Use your own numbers