Will Crypto Cards Take Over Conventional Credit & Debit Cards?

When cryptocurrency first entered the public eye, it was heavily used for trading. It continues to have the potential to generate massive gains, thanks to volatile market conditions, but many people are increasingly embracing the utility of cryptocurrencies as a payment method. 

Several prominent exchanges have already started offering crypto credit and debit cards to facilitate this function. These crypto cards, from exchanges like Bybit and others, are supported by Visa and Mastercard. Because of this, crypto credit and debit cards can be used worldwide in the same way that traditional credit and debit cards are used. For example, with the Bybit Card, a user can spend crypto on everyday purchases anywhere Mastercard is accepted. Will crypto cards soon become the preferred payment method for people worldwide?

What Is a Crypto Card?

If you’re like many other consumers, your primary payment method is a traditional credit or debit card. Because of your familiarity with these methods, you may understand that a conventional debit card charge results in an immediate debit against your bank account. Likewise, a traditional credit card purchase is usually charged immediately or within a day or two, and your credit card statement balance is adjusted accordingly. 

At one time, the primary method for accessing your cryptocurrencies and using them for everyday purchases was to convert them to fiat and deposit them into your bank account. Unfortunately, this process can take several days to complete, making it inconvenient and impractical. 

A crypto card offers an innovative way for anyone to spend their cryptocurrency without exchanging it into traditional fiat currency. There are two types of crypto cards; a crypto credit card, and a crypto debit card.

How Does a Crypto Card Work?

Crypto cards make shopping with cryptocurrency as easy and convenient as regular credit or debit cards. You can use them to pay for almost anything — from everyday items at the grocery store to online purchases, even at retailers that don't accept crypto. Further, you don't have to worry about conversions, as the cards automatically convert your cryptocurrency into the traditional currency the stores accept. Plus, some of these cards come with special rewards in cryptocurrency, so you get the most out of every purchase.

Transactions are completed through one of the major payment processors, such as Visa or Mastercard, so they’re secure. They also have the same protections and benefits these payment processing companies provide for standard credit and debit cards.

Crypto Credit Cards vs. Crypto Debit Cards

Both crypto credit cards and crypto debit cards empower users to quickly and effortlessly make purchases with crypto assets, so it may be easy to view these payment options as similar. However, there are actually significant differences between crypto credit cards and crypto debit cards. Before you set up your new crypto account, it’s crucial to understand how these options differ. 

Crypto Credit Cards

A crypto credit card is also referred to as a crypto rewards card. Like traditional credit cards, a crypto rewards card offers the user a financial incentive for using this payment method. For every qualifying purchase made with the credit card, you may receive a reward. Typically, crypto rewards are paid in cryptocurrencies. This is opposed to standard credit cards, where perks may be in the form of cashback, account credit, airline miles and various other benefits. 

Interest charges may apply if the account balance isn’t paid in full each month. In addition, there may be annual, maintenance, transaction and late fees. And just like regular credit cards, the payment history and account balance information for crypto credit cards are reported to credit bureaus. So if you have any late or missed payments, it can impact your credit rating. 

Crypto Debit Cards

While a crypto credit card purchase increases debt, a crypto debit card purchase results in a decrease in assets as it uses the current crypto funds you possess to make transactions. However, while traditional debit cards are linked to your bank account, a crypto debit card is linked to your cryptocurrency wallet. This means your crypto debit card is a prepaid card that needs to be topped up periodically, should your assets run low in your crypto wallet.

Besides making payments with supported merchants, you can also use a crypto debit card to make withdrawals at any supported ATM. Whether the crypto card is used for ATM transactions or purchases, the conversion from cryptocurrencies to fiat occurs immediately and automatically. 

Unlike crypto credit cards, crypto debit cards typically do not have rewards. However, some debit cards, such as the Bybit Card, include rewards. This means that a user could tap into a cryptocurrency wallet for daily purchases and earn bonuses without going into debt with a credit card. 

Sign up for Bybit Card to unlock rewards

Unlike credit cards that require your credit score to be taken into account to qualify, anyone can apply for a crypto debit card, so long as you top up your balance when necessary. However, some platforms may require you to stake or lock up some cryptocurrencies with them in order to apply for the debit card.

Why Do You Need a Crypto Card?

Most people are already familiar with using a credit or debit card for their purchases, so what’s the benefit of transitioning to a crypto credit or debit card? Making purchases with cryptocurrencies has historically been a tedious, lengthy process. This has resulted in cryptocurrencies primarily being used for trading. However, crypto cards are quickly becoming mainstream, presenting you with several exciting opportunities. What are some of the top reasons to start using a crypto credit or debit card?

Easy Way to Get Into Crypto

Crypto credit and debit cards are an excellent way for beginners to get into using crypto. They make it easy for you to use cryptocurrencies, without having to worry about understanding all the convoluted terms associated with blockchain and crypto. You can easily buy, store and spend crypto with these cards. All you have to do is get your hands on a crypto card, and use it as you would any other credit or debit card.

Convenient Way to Spend Crypto

Before the rise of crypto credit and debit cards, a user generally had to exchange cryptocurrencies for fiat and then transfer that to a traditional bank account before using the assets to make a purchase. This may have meant delaying a purchase for up to a week to complete the transfer. When you open a crypto credit or debit card account, converting crypto to fiat is automatic. 

A limited number of stores and other businesses have started accepting direct cryptocurrency payments with popular cryptos, such as Bitcoin. With a crypto card, however, you no longer need to identify those few businesses that accept cryptocurrencies in order to use your crypto assets to make a purchase. As long as the merchant accepts Visa or Mastercard, you can make a purchase with your cryptocurrency. 

Chance to Earn Crypto Rewards

Crypto cards not only give you a convenient way to use your crypto for everyday purchases. On top of the regular perks that range from airline miles to cashback, every time you make a purchase you can also get an opportunity to earn rewards in the form of cryptocurrencies. You can then use these accumulated crypto rewards for other immediate purchases, or for short-term or long-term investments. 

Barriers to Adoption

Before you sign up for a crypto rewards credit or debit card, however, it’s essential to understand some of the challenges and downsides associated with their use. While these barriers may make using a crypto card far less attractive to some people, others may still find that the benefits outweigh the challenges. What are some primary barriers to adopting crypto credit and debit cards?

Crypto Price Volatility

One of the primary reasons why cryptocurrencies became so popular with traders is their price volatility. Many cryptocurrencies have seen their values skyrocket in a short period, which has created incredible opportunities for profound financial gain. However, this price volatility also deters many from adopting cryptocurrencies for daily purchases. 

That said, there is a way for you to reduce your exposure to the risk related to price volatility. You can simply choose to spend with stablecoins instead of regular crypto. The value of a stablecoin is pegged to another asset that is far more stable, such as a commodity or fiat. 

Tax Implications

Cryptocurrency transactions are subject to taxation. Specifically, each time a cryptocurrency conversion occurs, it’s a taxable event. If you purchase a package of gum using your crypto credit card, capital gains tax will apply. The tax implication of buying one pack of gum may seem inconsequential, but the impact on your taxes can be much more significant with purchases made over an entire year. In addition to the financial ramifications of each taxable event, filing your taxes at the end of the year can be more burdensome and time-consuming if you make many purchases with a crypto credit or debit card.

Fewer and Less Attractive Credit Card Rewards

There are numerous reward credit cards to choose from based on your interests. For example, frequent travelers may prefer to earn airline miles as a reward. Likewise, there are credit cards that pay extra points for dining out, groceries, gas and other specific purchases. Others give you points to redeem for a wide range of products and services. They may also offer cashback, account credit and other rewards. 

With crypto credit and debit cards, however, the rewards are generally limited to cryptocurrencies. Often, the net value of crypto rewards is less than the net value of other credit cards' rewards. But with crypto cards becoming more commonplace, there are increasingly more cards that offer you a diverse range of perks. Hence, it’s imperative to compare your options thoroughly. 

Closing Thoughts

The rise of crypto cards is taking the utility of cryptocurrencies to a new level. As the currency of the future, cryptocurrencies are being increasingly adopted by traders and everyday consumers. As the crypto sphere continues to evolve, you may expect to see additional features and rewards offered. There may even come a time when crypto credit and debit cards grow more popular than traditional payment methods.

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