Coinbase Card vs Bybit Card
A direct comparison of two representative exchange-issued cards. Coinbase Card is the US compliance benchmark but paused for new users from 2024; Bybit Card is the mainstream APAC / MENA choice. They target completely different markets.
12-dimension comparison
| Dimension | Coinbase Card | Bybit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Coinbase, Inc. (NASDAQ: COIN) | Bybit (BVI / Dubai VARA) |
| Card network | Visa | Mastercard |
| Current application status | ⚠ Paused for US new users since 2024 | ✓ Open (not for US) |
| Primary market | US (existing users retained) | APAC + Middle East + Europe (no US) |
| Default settlement coin | USDC | USDT |
| Topup fee | 0% (from Coinbase account) | 0.65% |
| Per-tx fee | ~2.49% (BTC sell-conversion) | 0.65% |
| KYC | Full KYC (US compliance) | Basic-Full |
| Cashback / rewards | Historical 1-4% BTC (not restored after pause) | None (low-fee priority) |
| Subscription compat | ChatGPT Plus / Netflix US / Spotify US etc. (US-region) | ChatGPT Plus / Anthropic / Spotify / Apple etc. (global) |
| Editorial score | 5.8/10 (downweighted for pause) | 8.1/10 |
| Editor advice | Not recommended for new users (applications closed) | Recommended for existing Bybit users |
FAQ
Can I apply for a Coinbase Card today?
US new users are paused since 2024. Coinbase has not announced a restart timeline. If you got one pre-2024, you can still use it. New users — try Bybit Card (APAC / MENA / EU) or BitPay Card (US 49 states MTL-licensed).
Does Bybit Card serve US users?
No. Bybit has explicitly barred US residents since 2022, so Bybit Card is unavailable. US options: 1) Existing Coinbase Card (old users); 2) BitPay Card; 3) Crypto.com Visa (US 49 states MTL-licensed).
Why does Coinbase Card default to USDC and Bybit Card to USDT?
Reflects each company's strategy. Coinbase is a USDC co-issuer; defaults to its own stablecoin + US compliance. Bybit is a USDT liquidity hub; defaults to USDT + global non-US markets. From a USDT-card user perspective: Bybit Card has a shorter path (USDT direct) than Coinbase Card (USDT → USDC → card).
Why can't APAC users get Coinbase Card?
Coinbase Card is only issued to Coinbase-licensed-region users. Coinbase has limited APAC service (except Japan), so Coinbase Card doesn't cover most of APAC. Sensible APAC alternatives: Bybit Card / MPCard / OKX Card / Crypto.com Visa.
If Coinbase Card reopens, what changes?
Uncertain. The root cause of the 2024 pause was never disclosed officially (likely compliance + Visa network policy shift on crypto cashback cards). When it reopens, likely: 1) Drop cashback (compliance-friendly); 2) Stronger KYC (Plaid verification); 3) Restrict to Coinbase One subscribers only. Industry consensus: 12-18 months before opening to new users.