U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase announced that it has tied up with Apple and Google allowing its card users to use the payment apps of the two tech giants. Users of the Coinbase Card can now use crypto for payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Coinbase noted that mobile phone payments have grown 29 percent in the U.S. last year. With the tie-up, Coinbase Card uses can now join the millions of people around the world that use Google Pay and Apple Pay for their online purchases. The exchange said that crypto is automatically converted to US Dollars for use ATM withdrawals and purchases.
With its rewards program, there are perks when using crypto for payments. For instance, users can earn back 4 percent in Stellar Lumens or 1 percent in Bitcoin.
Those who want to get the card can just join the Coinbase Card waitlist and wait for an email notification to complete the application process. There are no application fees and owning one won’t have any impact on one’s credit score since it’s a debit card.
Card owners do not need to wait for the physical card to arrive as they can already use their debit card number with Apple Pay and Google Pay once they get the approval. Google Play users just need to access the app to add their Coinbase Card. Meanwhile, Apple Pay users can add the card from the Apple Wallet app or from the Coinbase app.
The Coinbase Card is available across the U.S. except for Hawaii, according to Coindesk. A similar card was already launched in Europe in 2019.
However, competition within the crypto payment niche is about to heat up. Payments giant Mastercard and crypto exchange Gemini are also preparing to launch their crypto credit cards that will give back 3 percent in Bitcoin as part of their reward programs.
Comment 6