Uphold Card Review (2026)

The Uphold Card earns 1-4% XRP/GBP cashback on a Visa/Mastercard debit card with a $0-$99.99/yr fee, available in UK + US.

Reviewed by Card Pilled Editorial · Last verified 2026-08-07

Key Facts

Cashback
1-4% XRP/GBP
Annual Fee
$0-$99.99/yr
Region
UK + US
Type
Debit
Network
Visa/Mastercard
KYC
standard
Mobile Pay
Apple Pay, Google Pay

Overview

Uphold is a US-based multi-asset trading platform founded in 2013 by Halsey Minor (originally as Bitreserve, renamed in 2015) that lets users trade and hold cryptocurrencies alongside fiat currencies, precious metals, and equities. The platform serves customers across the US, UK, and other regions through regulated subsidiaries, including Uphold Europe Limited, which is registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

The Uphold Card is a crypto debit card offered by Uphold, available in UK + US. It offers 1-4% XRP/GBP cashback across 4 reward tiers, giving users the ability to earn higher rates as they increase their commitment. The annual fee starts at $0-$99.99/yr. It runs on the Visa/Mastercard network and requires standard identity verification.

Cashback Tiers

Uphold Card cashback tiers and requirements
TierRateRequirement
Essential2%Free tier, 2% XRP on all purchases, $120/mo cashback cap
Elite (Fiat/Stablecoin)3%$99.99/yr, XRP cashback + no ATM/FX fees, metal card, $300/mo cashback cap
Elite (Crypto/Metals)4%$99.99/yr, XRP cashback on crypto/metals-funded purchases, $300/mo cashback cap
UK Standard1%Free, 1% GBP cashback on GBP-funded purchases only, capped at £100/mo

Pros

Cons

Fees & Costs

Conversion Fee
~1.5%

Limits & Top-Up

Daily Spending Limit
GBP 10,000 (per transaction and per day)
Daily ATM Limit
GBP 1,000 (max 2 withdrawals/day, GBP 500/transaction)

Who's behind this card

Issuing bank
Optimus Cards UK Limited
Fiat custody
E-money account funds are held in a designated safekeeping account with a regulated financial institution; not covered by the FSCS.
Licence
EMI (Financial Conduct Authority, UK)

Banking features

Personal IBAN
Not confirmed
Receives third-party transfers
Not confirmed
Sends third-party transfers
Not confirmed

Some users are assigned a virtual IBAN on the Uphold e-money account; others deposit to a pooled account with a reference code. Whether the vIBAN is in the user's own name is not disclosed. Card is for UK residents only.

Compare IBAN and transfer capability across cards in our crypto cards with IBAN guide.

Cost & Returns

On $500/mo spend, the estimated monthly cost breakdown for Uphold Card is: gas $0.00, conversion spread $7.50, flat/FX fees $0.00, and amortised card/tier fee $0.00, for a total drag of 1.5% of spend. After $10.00/mo cashback that nets a gain of about $2.50/mo ($30.00/yr). Uphold Card tops up from a centralized balance, so there is no on-chain gas cost regardless of how often you reload. Figures are conservative estimates and vary with conditions.

Note: Relaunched Oct 2025 after SEC/Ripple settlement. Two tiers: Essential (free, 2% XRP, $120/mo cap) and Elite ($99.99/yr, 3-4% XRP, metal card, no ATM/FX fees, $300/mo cap). Elite: 4% on crypto/metals, 3% on fiat/stablecoins. Essential was 3-4% at launch but dropped to 2% flat for signups after Jan 1, 2026. UK: Mastercard, 1% GBP cashback on GBP-funded purchases only (non-GBP-funded spend earns 0%), capped at £100/mo. US virtual card only (physical coming). Direct Deposit promo (additional 4% XRP) expired March 31, 2026.

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FAQ

What is the Uphold Card?

The Uphold Card is a crypto debit card offered by Uphold. It is available in UK + US and allows users to spend cryptocurrency at merchants worldwide.

How much cashback does the Uphold Card offer?

The Uphold Card offers 1-4% XRP/GBP cashback. There are 4 tiers: Essential (2%), Elite (Fiat/Stablecoin) (3%), Elite (Crypto/Metals) (4%), UK Standard (1%).

What are the fees for the Uphold Card?

The Uphold Card has an annual fee of $0-$99.99/yr. Additional fees: Conversion fee: ~1.5%.

What are the spending limits on the Uphold Card?

The Uphold Card has the following limits: daily spending limit: GBP 10,000 (per transaction and per day); daily ATM withdrawal limit: GBP 1,000 (max 2 withdrawals/day, GBP 500/transaction). Limits can vary by account tier and verification level.

Does the Uphold Card require KYC?

Yes. Uphold requires standard identity verification (KYC), typically a government-issued ID, during signup.

Which countries is the Uphold Card available in?

The Uphold Card is available in UK + US.

Is the Uphold Card a credit or debit card?

The Uphold Card is a debit card. You need to load cryptocurrency onto the card before making purchases.

Does the Uphold Card support Apple Pay or Google Pay?

Yes, the Uphold Card supports Apple Pay and Google Pay for contactless payments.

Who issues the Uphold Card?

The Uphold Card is issued by Optimus Cards UK Limited. Licences: EMI (Financial Conduct Authority, UK).

Where are Uphold Card fiat funds held?

E-money account funds are held in a designated safekeeping account with a regulated financial institution; not covered by the FSCS.

Visit Uphold

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