Visa, the global payments giant, has teamed up with bitcoin financial services company Fold and Stripe to launch the Fold Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card—a groundbreaking Visa-issued card that lets users earn bitcoin on everyday spending. Unveiled on September 23, 2025, the card offers an unlimited 2% bitcoin back on all purchases, with potential boosts up to 3.5% through Fold’s checking account and merchant partnerships, all without staking requirements or exchange hassles. For crypto enthusiasts, rewards hunters, and fintech watchers searching Visa Bitcoin credit card, Fold Stripe Visa launch 2025, or bitcoin rewards card, this product bridges traditional credit with digital assets, building on Fold’s existing debit and gift card ecosystem that has distributed over $83 million in BTC rewards.
Powered by Stripe Issuing for seamless backend operations and Visa’s global network for acceptance anywhere, the card aims to make bitcoin accumulation as straightforward as swiping for coffee. As Fold processes $3.1 billion in transactions, this launch signals Wall Street’s deepening crypto embrace. Let’s break down the features, mechanics, and broader impact.
Card Features: Simple Earning, No Strings Attached
The Fold Bitcoin Credit Card is designed for everyday users, eliminating barriers like crypto wallets or trading accounts. Rewards are auto-deposited in bitcoin, managed via the Fold app for easy custody and spending.
Key highlights:
- Base Rewards: Unlimited 2% bitcoin back on every purchase, paid instantly—no caps or categories.
- Boost Options: Up to 1.5% extra when paying off balances via Fold Checking (with qualified activity); additional 10% at partners like Amazon, Target, Starbucks, and Uber.
- No Requirements: No staking, deposits, or exchange links needed; just spend and earn.
- Global Acceptance: Works wherever Visa is—over 100 million merchants worldwide.
Fold CEO Will Reeves called it a “direct path to bitcoin ownership,” while Visa’s crypto head Cuy Sheffield praised the “safe, simple way to earn bitcoin as you shop.”
| Reward Tier | Bitcoin Back | Conditions | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | 2% Unlimited | All Purchases | Groceries, Gas |
| Boost | +1.5% (Up to 3.5%) | Fold Checking Payoff | Qualified Activity |
| Partner Perks | Up to 10% | Select Merchants | Amazon, Uber |
Launch Mechanics: Stripe and Visa’s Backend Magic
Stripe powers the issuing and transaction processing, enabling rapid onboarding and fraud protection, while Visa ensures network reliability. The card builds on Fold’s February 2025 Bitcoin Rewards Credit Card (also Visa-issued), expanding to a “bitcoin-only” model for purists.
- Onboarding: Waitlist open; full launch H2 2025.
- Management: Fold app handles rewards, spending limits, and BTC custody—users can hold, spend, or convert.
- Security: Visa’s tokenization and Stripe’s AI fraud detection; compliant with US regulations.
This follows Stripe’s recent Tempo blockchain for stablecoins and Visa’s crypto toolkit expansions.
Market Context: Crypto Rewards Go Mainstream
The launch taps a booming rewards market: Crypto credit cards processed $10 billion in 2024, up 50% YoY, per Visa data. Fold’s card differentiates with pure BTC focus, contrasting Gemini Credit Card’s multi-asset rewards.
- Adoption Boost: Amid BTC’s $112K rally, cards like this could onboard millions, echoing Coinbase’s 2023 card’s 1M users.
- Competitive Edge: Outshines traditional cashback (e.g., Chase Sapphire’s 1.5%) with BTC’s upside potential.
- Broader Trends: Aligns with Trump’s pro-crypto policies and central bank BTC forecasts by 2030.
Stripe’s involvement signals fiat-crypto convergence, with execs calling it a “milestone for consumer issuing.”
Challenges: Volatility and Regulatory Hurdles
While innovative, risks include BTC price swings eroding rewards value and potential IRS scrutiny on crypto income. Fold mitigates with app-based holding options.
Conclusion: Visa’s Swipe to Bitcoin Bliss
Visa’s Fold Bitcoin Credit Card launch with Stripe is more than rewards—it’s a gateway for everyday spenders to stack sats seamlessly, anywhere Visa flows. With up to 3.5% BTC back, it could accelerate mainstream adoption in a $4T crypto world. For those eyeing bitcoin credit cards 2025, join the waitlist: Will it dethrone miles as the ultimate perk? Early swipes suggest yes. PYMNTS
