Revolut Card

Revolut launched in 2015 as a travel-focused prepaid card, and I actually signed up pretty early because I was tired of getting ripped off by my bank on foreign exchange fees. Fast forward to 2026, and the company has transformed into something much bigger. They now serve over 35 million customers across the UK, Europe, the US, Australia, Singapore, and Japan. The app has a banking license in the UK and Lithuania, which means your deposits are protected up to certain limits. What started as a simple currency swap tool now handles everything from bill splitting to stock trading to crypto purchases. I still use it primarily when traveling, but it has become my go-to app for buying small amounts of Bitcoin and Ethereum too.

The crypto section lives right inside the main Revolut app - no separate download needed. When I first tried it, I was surprised how easy it was to buy Bitcoin. Three taps and done. You can trade over 100 different cryptocurrencies including the big names like BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, and DOGE, plus a bunch of smaller altcoins. The interface shows you simple price charts and lets you set up recurring buys if you want to dollar-cost average into a position. Here is what caught me off guard though: the spread on trades is not great. During my testing, I noticed anywhere from 1.5% to 2.5% markup compared to market prices on Coinbase or Binance. That adds up if you are trading frequently. For someone buying and holding long-term, it is less of an issue. The app also sends you price alerts and news about your holdings, which is actually pretty useful.

This is where Revolut shows its fintech roots rather than being a true crypto platform. On the free Standard plan, you cannot withdraw your crypto to an external wallet at all. Your Bitcoin stays in Revolut. Period. If you upgrade to a paid plan like Plus, Premium, or Metal, you unlock external transfers - but only for certain coins and with monthly limits. During my time with the Metal plan, I was able to send BTC and ETH to my Ledger wallet, but smaller altcoins were stuck in the app. This matters if you care about the crypto principle of not your keys, not your coins. For beginners who just want exposure to crypto prices without worrying about wallet security, Revolut works fine. For anyone planning to participate in DeFi, stake on-chain, or move coins between platforms, you will hit these walls pretty quickly.

In my experience, Revolut hits a specific sweet spot. It works best for people who already use the app for banking or travel and want to add some crypto to their portfolio without downloading Coinbase or setting up a Kraken account. I have recommended it to friends who were curious about Bitcoin but intimidated by proper exchanges. They loved how familiar everything felt. The global availability is a huge plus - Revolut operates in over 150 countries, which is more than most dedicated crypto cards can claim. If you are a digital nomad or frequently move between countries, having one app that handles your GBP, EUR, USD, and crypto in one place is genuinely convenient. Just know what you are getting: a banking app that happens to do crypto, not a crypto platform that happens to have banking features.

The fee structure confused me at first, so let me break it down. The card itself is free on the Standard plan - no annual fee, no monthly fee, no issuance cost. You get free ATM withdrawals up to 200 GBP per month, and after that it is 2% per withdrawal. Foreign exchange happens at the interbank rate during weekdays, which is basically as good as it gets. On weekends, there is a small markup because forex markets are closed. Now for crypto: there are no explicit trading fees, but Revolut makes money through the spread - the difference between what you pay and the actual market price. Based on my trades, this spread typically runs 1.5% to 2.5%, which is higher than what dedicated exchanges charge. Paid plans reduce this spread somewhat. For the Metal plan at 13.99 GBP per month, you also get unlimited currency exchange and higher ATM limits.

The rewards program is typically the biggest selling point for any crypto card, so I want to break down exactly what Revolut Card offers and whether the numbers actually make sense in practice.

Revolut Card offers a base cashback rate of 0.1%, which can go up to 1% depending on your card tier. Rewards are paid in crypto, which means your rewards can appreciate in value over time - or depreciate, depending on market conditions. On a monthly spending of about 2,000 dollars, you would earn roughly 2 dollars in rewards at the base rate. Not life-changing, but it adds up over a year.

Practical reward tips I have learned:

1. Check which merchant categories qualify for rewards (some cards exclude certain types)
2. Recurring bills like subscriptions are easy reward generators
3. Consider the tax implications of receiving crypto rewards in your jurisdiction
4. Compare the net reward after accounting for any annual or monthly fees
5. ATM withdrawals usually do not earn cashback

Comparing Revolut Card's reward structure to traditional credit cards: most premium credit cards offer 1-2% cashback, so crypto cards need to match or beat that to be competitive. Factor in that crypto rewards have price volatility - a 3% reward in tokens could be worth 6% or 1.5% a month later. This volatility is both the appeal and the risk of crypto card rewards.

Reward optimization strategies I have found useful:

1. Use the card for recurring bills (subscriptions, utilities, insurance) to passively accumulate rewards
2. Check if there are bonus reward categories that offer higher rates on specific spending
3. Time larger purchases to coincide with promotional reward boosts
4. Convert rewards to stablecoins if you want to lock in value without crypto volatility
5. Stack the card rewards with any platform-specific promotions or referral bonuses

One thing that catches new users off guard: reward calculations are based on the fiat value at the time of the transaction, not the crypto amount loaded. So if you load 500 dollars worth of ETH and the price drops before you spend, your reward is calculated on the actual purchase amount, not the original load. This also works in your favor if the price goes up. Understanding this timing aspect helps you plan your card loading strategy.

Fees can make or break a crypto card's value proposition, and Revolut Card has a specific fee structure you should understand before applying. I have gone through every charge so you know exactly what you are paying.

No annual or monthly fees is a strong starting point. It means the card does not cost you anything just to have in your wallet. Compare this to many premium credit cards that charge 100-500 dollars per year - with Revolut Card, you start at zero and only pay fees when you actually use specific features.

ATM withdrawals deserve special attention because the fees can add up quickly. With a fee of Free up to £200/month per withdrawal, plus any fees the ATM operator charges, cash access is not cheap. My advice: use the card for direct purchases whenever possible and minimize ATM usage. If you need cash regularly, look for ATMs that do not charge additional fees.

Foreign transaction fees of 0% apply when you spend in a currency different from your card's base currency. For travelers, this is an important consideration. Some crypto cards have zero foreign transaction fees, making them excellent travel companions. With Revolut Card, factor this into your travel budget.

Costs most people overlook:

1. Currency conversion happens when you load crypto and spend fiat - check the spread
2. Inactivity fees may apply if you do not use the card for extended periods
3. Replacement card fees if you lose or damage your card
4. Expedited shipping fees if you want faster card delivery
5. Some merchants may code transactions differently, triggering unexpected fees

The conversion spread is the sneakiest cost. When you load crypto and spend in fiat, the exchange rate applied often includes a 0.5-2% markup over the market rate. This is not listed as a fee anywhere, but it effectively reduces the value of every dollar you spend. Over a year of regular use, this spread can add up to more than all the explicit fees combined. Check your transaction history to see what rate was applied versus the market rate at the time.

My fee minimization strategy with crypto cards:

1. Load with stablecoins to avoid crypto-to-fiat conversion volatility
2. Use the card primarily for larger purchases where the convenience justifies any fees
3. Avoid ATM withdrawals unless absolutely necessary
4. Monitor the conversion spread and load when rates are favorable
5. Compare the total cost (fees + spread) against your regular bank card to ensure the crypto card actually saves you money or earns enough rewards to offset the costs

Using Revolut Card for everyday purchases is the real test of any crypto card. Marketing specs are one thing, but how it actually works at the checkout counter is what matters. I have been using it for regular spending and here is my experience.

Revolut Card supports Apple Pay, Google Pay and contactless tap-to-pay, which covers pretty much every modern payment scenario. I use mobile payments for about 80% of my in-store purchases now, and the card works exactly like any traditional bank card in these wallets. Tap your phone, transaction approved, done. No one at the register knows or cares that you are spending crypto.

You get both a virtual card (available immediately after approval) and a physical card shipped to your address. The virtual card is great for online shopping while you wait for the physical card to arrive. I started using the virtual card for subscriptions and online orders within minutes of signing up.

Where it works well:

1. Grocery stores and supermarkets - works just like any other card
2. Online shopping - enter your card details as you would any Visa or Mastercard
3. Restaurants and cafes - contactless payments are quick and easy
4. Subscriptions - Netflix, Spotify, and similar services accept it without issues
5. Gas stations - though some may place a temporary hold on your balance

Where I have run into issues:

1. Some merchants treat prepaid cards differently and may decline them
2. Car rental companies and hotels sometimes require a credit card, not prepaid
3. Automatic payments that exceed your loaded balance will fail
4. Some online merchants flag crypto card BIN numbers for additional verification

For international use, Revolut Card works across borders, but keep the foreign transaction fee in mind. I have used it in multiple countries and it has been accepted everywhere that takes the card network (Visa/Mastercard). ATM access abroad works too, though the combined fees of ATM withdrawal plus currency conversion can be steep.

Loading your card is something you will do regularly, and the process matters. Some cards require you to manually convert crypto to fiat before spending, while others handle the conversion automatically at the point of sale. Auto-conversion is more convenient but you have less control over the exchange rate. Manual conversion lets you choose when to sell your crypto but requires more active management. Check which model Revolut Card uses and whether it fits your preferences.

The day-to-day experience is honestly unremarkable - and I mean that as a compliment. A crypto card should feel invisible. You load it up, you spend, and you do not think about the blockchain technology underneath. Revolut Card achieves this for most common purchase scenarios. The transaction notifications show up on your phone like any other banking app, and the balance updates in real time.

Many crypto cards offer tiered benefits based on how much you stake or your account status. Here is how Revolut Card's tier system works and which level makes the most sense for different spending patterns.

Card tiers overview:

The entry-level tier is the obvious starting point if you want to test the card without committing significant capital. The mid-tier usually offers the best value-for-money ratio - you get meaningfully better rewards without the massive stake requirement of the top tiers.

Top-tier cards often come with premium perks like airport lounge access, higher ATM limits, and exclusive benefits. But the staking requirement can be substantial. Before committing, calculate whether the extra rewards you would earn justify locking up that much capital. In many cases, the mid-tier is the sweet spot.

The metal card option is available for higher tiers. Aesthetics aside, metal cards are more durable than plastic and feel premium when you hand them over. Whether the visual flex is worth the extra staking requirement is a personal call. Functionally, metal and plastic cards work identically.

My tier selection advice:

1. Start with the lowest tier to test the card with minimal commitment
2. Calculate your monthly spending to see which tier's rewards cover the staking cost
3. Consider token price risk - staked tokens can lose value
4. Higher tiers only make sense if you would hold the tokens anyway
5. Do not overextend into a tier just for the perks

The tier system rewards loyalty and bigger spenders, but it is not a requirement to get value from Revolut Card. Even at the base level, you get a functional crypto-to-fiat spending card, which is the core utility. Perks and rewards are a bonus on top.

Should you upgrade tiers? I run a simple calculation: multiply the additional cashback percentage by your estimated monthly spending, then multiply by 12 to get annual rewards. Compare that to the value of the tokens you need to stake (and the opportunity cost of locking them up). If the rewards exceed 5-10% of the staking amount annually, the upgrade makes financial sense. Below that threshold, your money might earn better returns elsewhere.

Getting your hands on the Revolut Card involves an application process that varies in complexity depending on your location and the card tier you choose. Here is what to expect from application to first purchase.

Step 1: Sign up on the platform. If you do not already have an account with the issuer, you will need to create one. This is standard - email, password, basic personal information.

Step 2: Complete identity verification (KYC). You will need to provide a government-issued ID and possibly a selfie or proof of address. KYC verification typically takes 1-3 business days, though I have seen it happen in under an hour during off-peak times.

Step 3: Apply for the card. Select your preferred card tier and submit the application. If staking is required, you will need to acquire and stake the necessary tokens before your card is issued.

Step 4: Wait for delivery. Physical card delivery usually takes 1-3 weeks depending on your location. Some issuers offer virtual cards that you can start using immediately while waiting for the physical card.

Step 5: Activate and load. Once you receive your card, activate it through the app, load some funds, and you are ready to spend.

Revolut Card is currently available in UK, EU, USA, Australia and Singaporeand other regions. Availability can change, so check the official website for the most current list. If your country is not supported, you might be able to join a waitlist.

The whole process from application to first purchase took me about 10 days, with most of that time being card shipping. The KYC was approved in about 24 hours. If you go with a virtual card first, you could be spending crypto as fiat within a day of applying.

Common application issues and how to avoid them:

1. Blurry ID photos are the top reason for KYC rejection - use good lighting and hold steady
2. Make sure the name on your ID matches the name on your account exactly
3. Proof of address must be recent (usually within 3 months)
4. VPN usage during application can trigger additional verification
5. If your country is restricted, using a VPN will not help and may get your account banned

After activation there are a few settings worth configuring immediately. Enable transaction notifications so you see every charge in real time - this helps you catch unauthorized use quickly. Set up spending limits if the option is available. And link the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay right away so you can start using it contactlessly without waiting for the physical card.

Security features on a crypto card deserve serious attention because you are essentially carrying a gateway to your crypto holdings in your pocket. Here is what Revolut Card offers to keep your money safe.

Available security features:

1. Chip and PIN protection for in-store purchases
2. Instant card freeze/unfreeze from the app
3. Two-factor authentication for account access
4. Biometric authentication (fingerprint/face) for the app

The instant card freeze feature is one I actually use regularly. Whenever I am not actively planning to spend, I keep the card frozen. This means that even if someone steals the card number, they cannot make purchases. It takes about two seconds to unfreeze when I need it. This habit has given me peace of mind, especially when using the card online where data breaches are a real risk.

Transaction alerts should be enabled immediately after activation. Getting a push notification for every charge lets you spot unauthorized transactions within seconds rather than discovering them on your next statement review. The faster you catch fraud, the easier it is to resolve.

Online shopping security is an area where crypto cards sometimes have an advantage. Since most crypto cards are prepaid, your liability is limited to whatever balance is loaded on the card. Unlike a credit card connected to a credit line, a compromised prepaid card can only lose what is currently loaded. I keep a low balance for everyday use and only load more when making planned purchases.

One concern specific to crypto cards: if your account on the issuing platform is compromised, an attacker could potentially load your crypto onto the card and spend it. This is why platform-level security (strong password, 2FA, withdrawal whitelists) is just as important as card-level security.