Crypto Life (CL) Card vs Crypto.com Visa Card
How does Crypto Life (CL) Card compare to Crypto.com Visa Card? A side-by-side look at fees, rewards, custody and availability.
Higher score: Crypto Life (CL) Card · provisional, see how we rate
Quick answer. Crypto Life (CL) Card and Crypto.com Visa Card are both crypto cards — here's how they differ. Key differences: network (Crypto Life (CL) Card: Mastercard, Visa vs Crypto.com Visa Card: Visa); custody model (Crypto Life (CL) Card: Self-custodial vs Crypto.com Visa Card: Custodial). Our provisional scoring rates Crypto Life (CL) Card higher (7.7/10 vs 7.3/10), but the best pick depends on your country and how you spend.
| Feature | Crypto Life (CL) Card | Crypto.com Visa Card |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.7/10 | 7.3/10 |
| Type | Debit | Prepaid |
| Networks | Mastercard, Visa | Visa |
| Rewards | 1% reward on total card transactions (in BTC or USDT), or 2% if reward is taken in BXX | Up to 4.5% back in CRO on spending, tiered: Ruby Steel 1.5% (up to $750/mo), Royal Indigo 2.5% (up to $1,500/mo), Rose Gold 3.5% (up to $3,000/mo then 0.5%), Obsidian 4.5% (up to $5,000/mo then 1%); Midnight Blue 0% |
| Annual fee | None (free card, no subscription fee) | Midnight Blue free; Ruby $4.99/mo or $49.90/yr (or $500 CRO stake); Royal Indigo $29.99/mo or $299.90/yr (or $5,000 CRO stake); higher tiers require CRO stake |
| FX fee | — | 3% on non-USD purchases and ATM withdrawals (Midnight/Ruby/Jade/Indigo); no FX fee (Rose/Icy/Obsidian) |
| ATM fee | — | 2% on amounts above the monthly free ATM limit; free limit $200-$1,000/mo depending on tier |
| KYC | Full | Full |
| Custody | Self-custodial | Custodial |
| Supported coins | BTC, LTC, XRP, ETH, SOL (receive only), USDC, USDT, EURT, BXX | Rewards paid in CRO |
| Availability | — | — |
| Apple / Google Pay | Yes | — |
How These Cards Differ
The Crypto Life (CL) Card and the Crypto.com Visa Card are two distinct offerings in the crypto card space, each with unique features and benefits. The CL Card is a debit card that offers straightforward rewards and self-custody, while the Crypto.com Visa Card is a prepaid card with tiered rewards based on CRO staking and has a more complex fee structure. Your choice between these cards will depend on your preferences for rewards, fees, and custody options.
Choose the Crypto Life (CL) Card if…
- You prefer a straightforward rewards system: The CL Card offers a flat 1% reward on all transactions, which can be received in BTC, USDT, or BXX. This simplicity might appeal to users who want to avoid the complexity of tiered rewards.
- You want to earn higher rewards in BXX: By opting to receive rewards in BXX, you can earn 2% back on your spending, which is a higher rate compared to the base 1% in BTC or USDT.
- You are interested in staking BXX: The CL Card offers staking options for BXX tokens, with APRs ranging from 5% to 25% depending on the staking duration. This could be attractive if you are looking to earn passive income on your crypto holdings.
- You prefer a self-custodial wallet: The CL Card allows you to maintain control over your funds, which is a key feature for those who prioritize security and self-custody.
- You want a free card with no annual fee: The CL Card does not charge an annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for users who want to avoid recurring charges.
Choose the Crypto.com Visa Card if…
- You are willing to stake CRO for higher rewards: The Crypto.com card offers up to 4.5% back in CRO on spending, but this requires staking CRO tokens. The higher the stake, the better the rewards and additional benefits.
- You want tiered rewards based on your spending: The card offers different reward percentages and limits depending on the tier, which can be advantageous if you spend significant amounts on your card each month.
- You are comfortable with a custodial wallet: The Crypto.com card uses a custodial wallet, which means the company manages your funds. This might be preferable for users who prefer not to manage their own private keys.
- You are looking for additional benefits with higher tiers: Higher tiers of the Crypto.com card come with benefits such as no foreign exchange fees and higher free ATM withdrawal limits, which can be valuable for frequent travelers.
- You are interested in a prepaid card option: The Crypto.com card is a prepaid card, which might be more suitable for users who prefer to manage their spending with a prepaid balance.
Bottom line
When deciding between the Crypto Life (CL) Card and the Crypto.com Visa Card, consider your priorities for rewards, fees, and custody. If you value a simple, self-custodial card with straightforward rewards and staking options, the CL Card might be the better choice. However, if you are willing to stake CRO for higher rewards and additional benefits, and prefer a prepaid card with tiered rewards, the Crypto.com Visa Card could be more suitable. For more detailed comparisons, visit our ratings page.