What to Know Before Using Crypto Cards in United States
Every Spend Is a Tax Event
The IRS treats crypto as property, meaning every time you buy a coffee or pay a bill with crypto, you are technically 'selling' that asset and may owe capital gains tax.
New 1099-DA Reporting Forms
Starting with 2025 transactions, crypto platforms must send official tax forms to the IRS and users, making your spending activity much more visible to tax authorities.
No Small Purchase Tax Exemption
Unlike some other countries, the US has no 'de minimis' rule; you must track and report gains even on tiny transactions like a $5 snack.
Holding Period Dictates Tax Rate
Spending crypto you have held for over a year qualifies for lower long-term capital gains rates (0-20%), while short-term holdings are taxed at your higher standard income rate.
Frequent Card Purchase Declines
Many US banks still automatically block debit or credit card transactions used to fund crypto accounts due to high fraud risk, often forcing users to use slower ACH transfers instead.
The $3,000 Travel Rule Trigger
Moving more than $3,000 in crypto typically triggers mandatory information sharing between institutions, which can lead to manual reviews or delays in your funds appearing.
Common Questions About Crypto Cards in United States
1 Do I really have to report a $5 coffee purchase on my taxes?
2 Why does my US bank keep blocking my crypto card top-ups?
3 Is spending a stablecoin like USDC tax-free?
4 What is this 1099-DA form I keep hearing about?
5 Can I use my crypto card to withdraw cash at an ATM?
Country-specific information last researched on . Regulations and policies can change — always verify with your card provider and local tax authority.
Top-Rated Cards in United States
Top-Rated Card Details
Ether.Fi Cash Card
4.6⭐Ether.fi Cash is a non-custodial Visa credit card for DeFi users seeking spending power without selling crypto.
PAYY Card
4⭐PAYY Card is a crypto-enabled Visa credit card that lets users spend stablecoins (USDC) directly at merchants while maintaining privacy through zero-knowledge proofs on the Payy Network blockchain. The self-custodial model gives users full control of their funds via the PAYY Wallet app.
Crypto.com Card
3.8⭐The Crypto.com Visa Card is a prepaid debit card that connects cryptocurrency assets to everyday purchases.
Gemini Credit Card
3.8⭐The Gemini Mastercard is a credit card that earns cryptocurrency rewards on eligible purchases, automatically depositing them into your Gemini exchange account (custodial). The card works as a standard Mastercard credit card but connects everyday spending to passive accumulation of digital assets.
Rizon Card
3.8⭐Rizon Card is a non-custodial, stablecoin-backed Visa debit card for spending USDC or USDT directly from your own wallet. It converts stablecoins to local currency at purchase, with no custodial deposits or manual off-ramping.
Avici Card
3.6⭐Avici Card is a self-custodial Visa secured credit card for crypto users. It lets you spend USDC worldwide while keeping full control of your assets.
All 42 Cards Available in United States
Complete list including the top-rated cards above