Coinbase Crypto Card: Your Ultimate Guide to Cryptocurrency

All major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple and Litecoin have long struggled with the fact that they cannot be used in the real world like traditional fiat money. Coinbase, the cryptocurrency exchange, has partnered with VISA and pioneered a solution for crypto payments named the Coinbase Card (also known as Coinbase Debit Card or Coinbase Credit Card) that makes it as easy to spend cryptocurrency as traditional money.

What is the Coinbase Card?

Coinbase Card (also known as Coinbase Debit Card or Coinbase Credit Card) is a classic Visa debit card associated with your Coinbase account. It allows you to make crypto payments using any cryptocurrency that is kept in your Coinbase account. You don't have to hold your balance in USD, GBP or EUR for this to work. Coinbase will automatically convert your preferred cryptocurrency if needed to cover your purchases.

You can currently buy things in stores and online using any cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Ripple (XRP), Basic Attention Token (BAT), Augur (REP), 0x (ZRX), Stellar (XLM) or Bitcoin Cash (BCH) that you have kept in your online wallet at Coinbase. However, the recipient does not receive any cryptocurrency, but the money is always paid in the respective national currency. This can be in US Dollars or Euros but also in other currencies.

This makes the Coinbase Card or Coinbase Credit Card significantly different from classic credit cards. On the one hand, the currency exchange takes place at the current rate. On the other hand, there are only a few credit cards that work in different currencies but also with crypto currencies for crypto payments.

The Coinbase Card or the Coinbase Credit Card or the Coinbase Debit Card can be used physically and virtually. It is managed via the Coinbase Card app. To apply for the Coinbase Card, a Coinbase account is required.

Here are some more features:

• Contactless payments.
• Can be added to Google Pay (but it's not currently supported on Apple Pay).
• Instant freezing of the card (via the app).
• Track your expenses (with summaries and receipts).
• Instantly pushes a notification when your card is in use.
• You can earn 1% cashback in Bitcoin (BTC) or 4% cashback in Stellar Lumens (XLM).
• No transaction fees when you spend USD Coin (USDC).
• Lower daily spending limits ($2500 only).

Getting Started: the Coinbase Card or the Coinbase Credit Card or the Coinbase Debit Card

Before you begin make sure:

• You should have passed Level 2 verification in your Coinbase account
• You should have at least £5 or equivalent in cryptocurrency in your Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) or other cryptocurrencies supported by Coinbase Card

Next, to get started, go to the Coinbase Card website

(https://www.coinbase.com/card) and download the app. Once you've installed the app, you'll need to verify your phone number and connect the app to your Coinbase account before you can order a Coinbase Card. Once you have ordered it, it should be with you in 5-7 business days. When it arrives, all you have to do is load the Coinbase Card app and select "Enable physical card!" at the top (see below).

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To change the cryptocurrency that will be converted when needed when you make a purchase with the Coinbase Card, simply click on the highlighted icon in the Coinbase Card app and select your preferred cryptocurrency wallet (see below).

Tap the card in the Coinbase Card app and you'll be taken to a settings screen. As you can see below, you can:

• Get your PIN code.
• View card details (requires fingerprint configuration on the phone).
• Freeze the card.
• Report card as lost or stolen.
• Get help (by phone and email).

When you make the purchase, you'll receive a push notification on your phone and display a summary of the purchase in the Coinbase Card app.

Fees: the Coinbase Card or the Coinbase Credit Card or the Coinbase Debit Card

The issuance of the Coinbase Card requires a fee of 4.95 euros. There is no monthly service. Up to 200 euros per month can be withdrawn free of charge with the Coinbase Card. If the withdrawal exceeds this amount, 1.00% fees are charged domestically and 2.00% in fees worldwide.

The Coinbase card can be topped up with credit free of charge. Coinbase does not charge a top-up fee. If funds are transferred to the European Economic Area, transaction fees of 0.20% will be incurred. For transactions worldwide, the fee is 3.00%. A currency exchange fee from crypto to fiat is 2.49%.

Dues	Amount
Card insurance fee	€4.95
ATM Withdrawal Fee (Domestic)	Free (up to €200/month) 1% (any amount over €200/month)
ATM Withdrawal Fee (International)	Free (up to €200/month) 2% (any amount over €200/month)
Transaction fee (domestic)	Free
Transaction fee (within the EU)	0,2%
Transaction Fee (International)	3%
Crypto Liquidation Fee	2,49%

Card Limits: the Coinbase Card or the Coinbase Credit Card or the Coinbase Debit Card

There are a few restrictions towards the use of the Coinbase Card. The maximum withdrawal per day is 500 euros. The maximum number of transactions is 10,000 euros per day and 20,000 euros per month. Transactions of 100,000 euros per year can be made on the Coinbase Card.

Limit	Amount
Daily spending limit	€10,000
Monthly purchase limit	€20.000
Annual limit on purchases	€100.000
Daily ATM Withdrawal limit	€500
Transaction fee (within the EU)	0,2%
Transaction Fee (International)	3%
Crypto Liquidation Fee	2,49%

Pros and Cons: the Coinbase Card or the Coinbase Credit Card or the Coinbase Debit Card

Pros	Cons
Makes it quick and easy to spend cryptocurrency anywhere.	Charges a fee for issuing a physical card (£4.95 or £4.95).
Seamlessly connects to your Coinbase crypto wallets.	High cryptocurrency exchange fees (2.49%).
Available in Europe	Transaction fees apply outside the country.
Market launch in the USA in 2021.	No PIN code required to access the Coinbase Card app on your phone.