April 3, 2025
Crypto

Gemini Credit Card Review 2025


The Gemini Credit Card will likely appeal to the cryptocurrency-curious who want a convenient way to explore the new(ish) financial frontier of meme coins and digital wealth.

This no-annual-fee card allows you to earn credit card rewards in the form of 50+ different cryptocurrencies. Because the value of any cryptocurrency depends on market conditions, this means your rewards will experience the same volatility — if that thought gives you pause, then you should consider a card that earns more traditional rewards.

CNBC Select breaks down the Gemini Credit Card to see if it makes sense as the next addition to your wallet.

Gemini Credit Card review

Welcome bonus

You can earn a $200 crypto rewards bonus when you get approved for the card by 6/30/2025 and spend $3,000 during the first 90 days after account opening.

Benefits and perks

The Gemini Credit Card doesn’t offer many benefits unique to the card — its main draw is the cryptocurrency rewards you can earn. As a World Mastercard, it does come with a handful of perks through the network, including credits for Instacart and Peacock Premium. Some other notable perks include:

  • HealthLock for Mastercard: Complimentary HealthLock Monitor membership that helps review your medical claims.
  • Mastercard ID Theft Protection: This service provides detection and protection against identity theft, including monitoring, alerts and expert resolution.
  • Price protection: For purchases made with the covered card, if you see the same product via a printed or non-auction internet ad at a lower price within 120 days of purchase, Mastercard will reimburse you the difference, up to $250 per claim, four times a year.

You get 24/7 live customer support and the ability to add up to five authorized users for no extra charge. For increased security, the card only features the cardholder’s name and not the card number. And if looks matter, this metal credit card is available in three different colors: black, silver, and rose gold.

How to earn and redeem Gemini card rewards

With the Gemini Credit Card, you can earn rewards with purchases in a variety of convenient spending categories, making it reasonably easy for you to make the most of the card.

Earning

Gemini Credit Card cardholders don’t earn traditional cash back, points or miles, but instead, receive rewards in the form of one of its available cryptocurrencies. Gemini offers rewards on the following transactions:

  • 4% back on gas and EV charging on up to $200 in spending a month, then 1%
  • 3% back on dining
  • 2% back on groceries
  • 1% back on all other qualifying purchases

Gemini supports over 50+ types of available cryptocurrencies, including popular ones like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and you can change which cryptocurrency is earned by your spending at any time. When signing up for the card, you set up a Gemini Exchange account, which holds the cryptocurrency you earn. Gemini pays out rewards to your account as soon as you make a purchase.

Redeeming

Once you earn rewards via your Gemini Credit Card, they will be held in your Gemini Exchange account. To redeem your rewards, you can sell the crypto in your Gemini Exchange account and transfer the funds to a verified bank account. Unlike the rewards earned with many other cards, the Gemini card’s rewards can’t be used to directly pay the card’s balance.

Rates and fees

The Gemini Credit Card does not charge an annual fee, a foreign exchange fee or any exchange fees from the cryptocurrency rewards you earn through spending. However, you’ll have to pay any fees associated with selling or converting your crypto rewards. The Gemini card has an APR of 17.24%–29.24% and charges a late payment fee of up to $8 and a returned payment fee of up to $35.

Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.

Card comparison

Gemini credit card vs. Venmo credit card

Venmo Credit Card

Information about the Venmo Credit Card has been collected independently by Select and has not been provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.

  • Rewards

    3% cash back on the eligible category in which you spend the most, 2% back on the second-highest eligible category and 1% back on all other purchases

  • Welcome bonus

  • Annual fee

  • Intro APR

  • Regular APR

    19.99%, 28.99%, 31.99% variable as of October 1, 2024

  • Balance transfer fee

  • Foreign transaction fee

  • Credit needed

Pros

  • No annual fee
  • Rewards program that adapts to your spending habits
  • No foreign transaction fees when traveling outside the U.S.

Cons

  • Currently available to a random percentage of Venmo customers who’ve had a Venmo account for at least 30 days and who’ve been active in the last 12 months
  • No welcome bonus
  • No introductory APR offer

The Venmo Credit Card is another no-annual-fee credit card that can help you turn your rewards into cryptocurrency, but it doesn’t have any fixed spending categories for earning rewards. Instead, you’ll earn 3% cash back on your top spending category for the billing cycle, 2% on your next top category, and 1% on all other eligible purchases. Venmo offers the following spending categories:

  • Transportation
  • Travel
  • Groceries
  • Entertainment
  • Dining & Nightlife
  • Bills & Utilities
  • Health & Beauty
  • Gas
  • Other

Venmo can add the cash back you earned to your Venmo balance, but if you want to earn your rewards in cryptocurrency, you can toggle a setting within the Venmo app. At the end of your next reward cycle, the cash rewards will be transferred to your Venmo account and automatically used to buy the cryptocurrency of your choosing. Venmo supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash. The Gemini card offers a much wider selection of currencies.

If you want a card that can earn both cash-back rewards and rewards in cryptocurrency, the Venmo card has an edge over the Gemini, which locks all of your rewards in crypto. However, the limited currency offerings from the Venmo card make it less ideal for someone who wants a more robust crypto experience.

Gemini credit card vs. Citi Double Cash Card

If you’ve decided the volatile nature of cryptocurrency isn’t for you, and you want a card that earns straightforward rewards, then consider the Citi Double Cash® Card.

This card has built a reputation as one of the best cash-back cards and for good reason — it offers 2% cash back on all purchases, 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your card, plus an elevated 5% total cash back on hotel, car rental and attractions booked via the Citi Travel site through 12/31/2025. There’s no cap or category restrictions on the rewards you earn, which come in the form of Citi ThankYou® Points. These highly flexible points can be redeemed in several different ways, including with Citi’s hotel and airline transfer partners if paired with an annual fee card, like the Citi Strata Premier Card (See rates and fees).

Is the Gemini credit card right for you?

The Gemini Credit Card could be a good option for those interested in exploring cryptocurrency as it offers competitive cash-back rates used to purchase over 50 different types of cryptocurrencies with no exchange fees. You have to make peace with the fact that your rewards could lose value based on the whims of the market, but those are the table stakes for any type of investment — crypto or otherwise.

Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!

Money matters —  so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here.

Why trust CNBC Select?

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.





Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. View more
Accept
Decline