Coinbase Introduces Bitcoin-Back Rewards Card for U.S. Users

Coinbase has launched the Coinbase One Card in the United States, allowing users to earn Bitcoin (BTC) rewards on everyday spending. The card is available exclusively to members of the Coinbase One subscription service, which starts at $49.99 per year.

The company confirmed that users can earn up to 4% back in Bitcoin on all purchases, with the exact rate depending on the amount of crypto assets held on Coinbase. The Coinbase One Card is created in partnership with American Express and Cardless.

Who Can Access the Coinbase One Card

Coinbase said the One Card is available only to users in the United States, excluding U.S. territories. To qualify, customers must subscribe to Coinbase One, the exchange’s membership plan that includes benefits such as zero trading fees, priority support, and account protection.

The card is available across three membership tiers:

• Basic Plan – $49.99 per year
• Preferred Plan – Includes all Basic features plus added benefits
• Premium Plan – Higher-tier features for frequent traders and businesses

The firm clarified that there is no extra charge for the card itself once a user subscribes to any Coinbase One tier.

How Bitcoin Rewards Work

Cardholders earn variable BTC rewards on every purchase, regardless of the spending category. For instance, users earning 2% back receive Bitcoin when paying for groceries, gas, or dining. The higher the balance a user maintains on Coinbase, the higher the reward rate they can unlock.

Users can:

• Hold assets in USD, USDC, or any supported crypto to qualify for rewards.
• Spend anywhere Visa is accepted, with BTC rewards automatically credited to their Coinbase account.

Coinbase has confirmed that Bitcoin earned from card rewards will not appear on IRS Form 1099s generated by the platform. However, if users sell those rewards later, capital gains taxes may apply.

Early Adoption and Usage Trends

Coinbase said early adopters have added over $200 million in funds to the platform to maximize reward potential. Users have spent more than $100 million through the One Card, averaging around $3,000 per month in transactions.

Ben Shen, Coinbase’s Senior Director of Product, told Decrypt that the company is encouraged by these results. 

“We are seeing encouraging signs based on early spending behavior, indicating that the card is being used in a ‘top-of-wallet’ fashion for a number of early adopters.” Shen said.

He also compared usage rates to traditional credit cards.

“When you look at third party data like NerdWallet’s, you’ll see holders of general purpose cards are spending an average of almost $9,000 per year on each card,” he added.

A Shift Toward Subscription Revenue

Coinbase’s move into card-based payments supports its broader strategy to grow recurring subscription and services revenue. In the second quarter of 2025, the firm reported $655 million in subscription income — up nearly 9.5% year-over-year.

The company’s focus on subscription products such as Coinbase One aims to stabilize revenue amid volatile trading conditions. By integrating the One Card, Coinbase extends its ecosystem into consumer spending while deepening customer loyalty.

Technical Delay and Availability

Coinbase announced that the card rollout was briefly delayed due to a technical issue but confirmed that general availability will resume shortly. Once active, all Coinbase One members in the U.S. will be able to order their cards directly through the platform’s interface.

Customers can manage card settings, spending limits, and reward tracking through the Coinbase mobile app and desktop dashboard.

Key Features of the Coinbase One Card

The Coinbase One Card is established as a Bitcoin rewards debit card, offering direct integration with a user’s existing Coinbase balance.

Some notable features include:

• Up to 4% BTC rewards on eligible purchases
• No category restrictions — rewards apply across all merchants
• No foreign transaction fees within the U.S.
• Direct integration with Coinbase One membership
• Digital and physical card versions available

Coinbase Expands Developer Tools with Payments MCP

Alongside the card launch, Coinbase also introduced Payments MCP, a developer-focused product that lets AI models interact directly with crypto wallets and payment systems.

Built by the Coinbase Developer Platform, Payments MCP allows large language models (LLMs) such as Claude, Gemini, and Codex to perform real-world transactions using stablecoins — all through natural language commands.

According to Coinbase, the system enables:

• Wallet creation and sign-in via email, without API keys
• Spending limit control for safety and compliance
• Stablecoin payments for AI-driven applications
• Integration with x402 Bazaar Explorer to discover payment APIs

Payments MCP operates through a framework called the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which allows AI agents to safely access external tools and financial services. The company says this technology is part of its effort to build a foundation for agentic commerce, where AI systems can act autonomously in the digital economy.

Conclusion

The Coinbase One Card marks a new chapter for the exchange’s consumer services in the United States. By offering Bitcoin rewards on everyday spending, Coinbase is connecting traditional financial behavior with the crypto economy in a practical way.

With its structured membership tiers, transparent tax guidance, and integration with Coinbase’s existing app ecosystem, the One Card offers users a simple route to earning BTC without trading.

Resources:

Coinbase X platform: https://www.coinbase.com/en-au/developer-platform/discover/launches/payments-mcp

Announcement - Payments MCP: Bringing Wallets, Onramps, and Payments to Every Agent: https://www.coinbase.com/en-au/developer-platform/discover/launches/payments-mcp

Coinbase One Card Opens Up to American Users With Bitcoin Rewards - report by Decrypt: https://decrypt.co/344888/coinbase-one-card-opens-all-users-bitcoin-rewards