Kast Card: Core Features & Cashback Structure
Kast positions itself as a straightforward crypto card for everyday spending. The card pairs crypto holdings with point-of-sale access, meaning you can spend digital assets directly or convert on-demand at checkout. Kast’s cashback structure tiers by holding amount, so larger holders unlock higher rewards rates.
Key facts to verify: Visit Kast’s official help center for current cashback percentages, which vary by geographic region and tier level. FX conversion fees (if any) and annual costs should be confirmed directly, as these change seasonally. Custody model: Kast typically holds your assets in a company-managed wallet during active spending, so this is custodial—not self-custody.
Signal: Kast appeals to users comfortable with custodial wallets who want straightforward earn rates without platform friction. If you prioritize non-custodial self-custody, this card won’t meet that bar.
Uphold Card: What You Actually Get
Uphold’s card offering integrates tightly with Uphold’s broader fintech platform, which includes trading, sending, and earning services. The Uphold card lets you spend from any balance in your Uphold account—crypto or fiat—making it a versatile multi-asset vehicle.
The earning structure on Uphold cards varies by membership tier and holding duration. Uphold has historically offered rewards on spending and passive balances, though rates and availability shift with market conditions and regulatory changes.
Key facts to verify: Check Uphold’s current card terms for cashback rates, FX spreads, and which countries they support. Uphold’s team publishes updates on their blog and help center. Custody: Uphold is a custodial platform, so assets are held by the company.
Why it matters: Uphold’s strength is ecosystem integration—if you’re already using Uphold for trading, the card becomes frictionless. The trade-off is that you’re trusting Uphold with asset custody.
Gemini Card: Exchange-Integrated Earning
Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, launched its card to let users spend directly from their Gemini exchange balances. This card is tightly coupled to the Gemini ecosystem—you earn rewards on Gemini through card spending and vice versa.
Gemini’s card cashback and earn rates are pegged to Gemini’s broader rewards program, which adjusts based on market activity and Gemini’s business strategy. The card is available in select countries where Gemini holds regulatory approval.
Key facts to verify: Go to Gemini.com for current card terms, cashback rates, and country eligibility. Gemini publishes product updates in their newsroom. Custody: Gemini is a custodial exchange, so this is a custodial card.
Risk: Gemini card availability is constrained by Gemini’s regulatory footprint. If Gemini loses a license in your jurisdiction, card services may pause or close. Always verify active support in your country.
Kast vs Uphold vs Gemini: Head-to-Head Comparison
Each card serves a different user archetype. Here’s how they compare across the factors that drive your decision:
Cashback & Earn Rates
- Kast: Tiered by holdings; generally 1–2 % range on qualified spend (verify current rates)
- Uphold: Varies by tier; historical range 1–4 % but subject to change
- Gemini: Pegged to Gemini’s rewards schedule; typically 1–3 % depending on tier
Foreign Exchange (FX) Fees
- Kast: Check issuer for multi-currency spreads; typically 1–3 % on non-native currencies
- Uphold: Uphold is known for transparent, low FX rates (competitive vs. cards)
- Gemini: Variable by asset pair; check live rates before spending abroad
Custody & Self-Custody
- Kast: Company-managed wallet (custodial)
- Uphold: Company-managed wallet (custodial)
- Gemini: Company-managed wallet (custodial)
None of these three offer true non-custodial spending—you’re entrusting the issuer with your assets while the card is active.
Country Availability
- Kast: Available in a growing list of countries; check their site for your region
- Uphold: Broader geographic reach; available in 180+ countries (with exclusions)
- Gemini: More restricted; available where Gemini holds regulatory approval
Watch: All three cards operate under evolving crypto regulations. FX access, cashback rates, and country availability can shift monthly. Bookmark their official support pages and sign up for email alerts.
Which Card Should You Choose? (And Why ether.fi Cash Wins on Yield)
If you’re choosing between Kast, Uphold, and Gemini, the answer depends on your priorities:
- Choose Kast if you want a simple, holdings-based tier system and you’re already outside major crypto hubs. Kast’s strength is simplicity.
- Choose Uphold if you’re already trading on Uphold and want seamless card integration. Uphold’s ecosystem is cohesive.
- Choose Gemini if you’re a Gemini exchange user and value the exchange-to-card pipeline. Gemini’s rewards sync with their trading program.
But here’s the catch: all three are custodial. Your assets sit in the card issuer’s wallet while you spend, which means counterparty risk and less control.
That’s why [ether.fi Cash](https://www.ether.fi/@defycard) changes the game. ether.fi Cash is non-custodial—your ETH stays staked and self-custodied while you get up to 3 % cashback in real time. You don’t sacrifice custody for yield. You get both.
Key metric: ether.fi Cash delivers 0 % FX on USD and EUR, making it the cheapest card for spending in major currencies. Kast, Uphold, and Gemini all charge FX spreads on non-native currencies.
Signal: If you care about self-custody and yield simultaneously, ether.fi Cash is the only card in this comparison that delivers both. Kast, Uphold, and Gemini are fine for convenience-first users, but they require custody trade-offs.
How Each Card Stacks Against ether.fi Cash
ether.fi Cash is built for users who don’t want to sacrifice self-custody to get rewards. Here’s the competitive posture:
- vs. Kast: ether.fi Cash offers the same tiered earn structure but with non-custodial holding. Kast is simpler if you like company management; ether.fi Cash is stronger if you want control.
- vs. Uphold: Uphold’s ecosystem is powerful for traders. ether.fi Cash is stronger for non-custodial yield. Different user types.
- vs. Gemini: Gemini is exchange-native; ether.fi Cash is standalone and works with any wallet. ether.fi Cash wins if you want multi-platform flexibility.
ether.fi Cash available in 76 countries, with refundable $40 deposit to unlock the physical card. Core tier caps at $2,000/month spend, but Luxe ($10k) and Pinnacle ($50k) tiers exist for bigger spenders.
Why it matters: The crypto-card market is consolidating around two archetypes: custodial convenience (Kast, Uphold, Gemini) and non-custodial yield (ether.fi Cash). Your choice defines your entire earning potential and risk posture.