- The Uphold XRP rewards debit card is now available throughout the United States.
- Cardholders can spend wherever Visa is accepted, online or in-store.
- Uphold offers up to 6% back in XRP on everyday purchases.
Uphold, a prominent digital asset platform, has officially relaunched its long-awaited debit card for customers in the United States, offering rewards paid exclusively in XRP.
Ripple’s XRP remains one of the market’s most recognized cryptocurrencies and continues to draw interest as the US regulatory environment becomes more accommodating to crypto services.
In recent months, a return of activity in the American market has seen several firms re-enter or expand their presence, including Robinhood and Bullish.
Major exchanges such as Crypto.com, Gemini, and Coinbase have already introduced crypto rewards credit cards in the US, underscoring growing competition in this space.
Uphold brings XRP rewards via debit card
Announced on Thursday, October 30, the relaunch restores a product Uphold discontinued in March 2023 after facing regulatory challenges.
The Uphold crypto rewards card is issued by Cross River Bank as a Visa debit card. It allows eligible US residents to spend fiat currencies, more than 300 cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, or precious metals wherever Visa is accepted, including support for Apple Pay and Google Pay.
The premium Uphold Elite Card offers up to 6% back in XRP on purchases, no ATM or foreign transaction fees, and a metal physical card. The no-fee Uphold Essential Card provides 4% XRP rewards and features modest fees for other services. Users who activate their cards before January 1, 2026, will lock in these promotional reward rates for three months.
Enrolling in direct deposit for paychecks unlocks an additional 4% in XRP rewards, which could bring total rewards to as much as 10% back and up to $800 per month, depending on spending and eligibility.
What does this mean for the XRP market?
The relaunch comes at a meaningful time for XRP and may help increase the token’s real-world utility by encouraging everyday spending and broader use. With Uphold’s global user base of more than 10 million, the card could channel meaningful transactional activity toward XRP.
The card’s reward structure incentivizes holding and accumulation of XRP, which could reduce sell pressure and contribute to higher on-ledger transaction volume. As another focused XRP rewards program, the offering strengthens the token’s presence among competing rewards products.
Uphold’s reentry places XRP in a competitive position relative to rival programs from Coinbase, Gemini, and Crypto.com. Coinbase’s Bitcoin rewards and Gemini’s Solana rewards have already gained traction; Uphold’s refreshed card underscores the wider trend of crypto rewards cards and highlights ongoing competition to capture consumer spending tied to digital assets.
Ripple’s growth
Broader adoption of XRP for cross-border payments remains one of Ripple’s stated objectives. After navigating legal challenges with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Ripple has continued to pursue product and market expansion.
In 2024 the company launched Ripple USD (RLUSD), its flagship stablecoin, and integrations across the market have continued to expand, including partnerships and support from platforms such as Uphold.
Ripple has also pursued growth through acquisitions and product development to extend payments, lending, and remittance capabilities. Notable moves include adding stablecoin infrastructure through acquisitions like Rail and completing its purchase of Hidden Road, making Ripple the first crypto company to own a global multi-asset prime brokerage business.