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Lava Card vs Uphold Debit Card (US)

Lava Card

Crypto native

6.4
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Uphold Debit Card (US)

Crypto native

5.6
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Verdict

  • Lava Card scores higher overall (6.4 vs 5.6 out of 10).
  • Lava Card is clearly stronger on: FX & international.
  • Uphold Debit Card (US) is clearly stronger on: Cashback & rewards.
  • A full annual cost comparison is not possible yet because some fees are not disclosed or not yet researched.

Lava Card is a good fit for

  • Stablecoin holders
  • Frequent travellers

Stronger on: FX & international

Uphold Debit Card (US) is a good fit for

  • Stablecoin holders
  • Everyday spenders who want cashback

Stronger on: Cashback & rewards

★ Our pickEditorial choice · score unchanged · Affiliate link

Neither card is our pick. The card we recommend instead:

ether.fi Cash

Crypto native · ether.fi

8.1

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
Get the card
Review & sourcesLava Card vs ether.fi CashUphold Debit Card (US) vs ether.fi Cash

Conditions apply; the review lists them with sources.

Score by criterion

CriterionLava CardUphold Debit Card (US)
Fees10099
Cashback & rewards3350
Availability–3
FX & international10040
Product features–70
Custody & security––
Credit & financing–30
Limits & ATM–74
Transparency100100
Best for Cashback5.45.7
Best for Travel7.65.7
Best for DeFi Usersn/a5.8
Best for Stablecoins7.46.7
Best for High Spenders6.16.0
Best for Low Fees9.38.1
Best for Beginners6.86.8

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

Credit cardConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Secured: spends only the available dollar balance; no unsecured credit

Debit cardShow source

Network

VisaShow source
VisaShow source

Card issuer / program manager

Card program by Rain with a partner issuerShow source
No data yet

Tiers / plans

No data yet
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

No data yet
$4.99Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Essential

FX fee

0%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

No spread on Visa's exchange rate

1.5%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Essential; Elite has no foreign transaction fees

ATM fee

No data yet
$2.95Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Essential; Elite has no ATM fees

Cashback & rewards

Base cashback

1%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Users based outside the US; 3% for US users; 5% at Lava merchant partners

2%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Essential, paid in XRP

Max cashback

5%Conditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

At Lava merchant partners, worldwide

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

BTCShow source
XRP (or other crypto at Uphold's discretion)Show source

Cashback type

CryptoShow source
CryptoShow source

Interest on balance

No data yet
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

No data yet
$120/monthConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Essential; Elite $300/month

Cashback conditions

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
No data yet

Credit & financing

Credit line

No data yet
NoShow source

Spend own balance directly

YesShow source
No data yet

Availability

Available in

No data yet
United StatesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Not in Louisiana, New York or US territories

Account / spend currencies

USDConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Page says "Spend in Dollars"

No data yet

Features

Apple Pay

No data yet
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

When available

Google Pay

No data yet
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

When available

Physical card

No data yet
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Essential: plastic $4.99; Elite: metal $0

Virtual card

No data yet
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Essential and Elite: $0

ATM withdrawals

No data yet
YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Essential: $2.95 per withdrawal; Elite: $0

Spend stablecoins

YesConditions apply: tap or hover for detailsShow source

Stablecoin deposits are credited as dollars

YesShow source

Security & custody

Regulation / licences

No data yet
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

Lava Card

  • Annual & monthly fees+0 EUR
  • FX costs+0 EUR
  • Crypto conversion–
  • ATM costsunknown
  • Cashback+180 EUR
  • 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

More Lava Card comparisons

More Uphold Debit Card (US) comparisons