Uphold’s XRP Rewards Program: How It Works
Uphold offers a debit card rewards program that allows users to earn crypto on eligible purchases. During a promotional period, users who signed up for a card before January 1, 2026 were eligible for enhanced rewards during their first 90 days.
During this introductory period, rewards were structured as follows:
Uphold Elite Card 6% back in XRP on eligible purchases
Uphold Essential Card (free option) 4% back in XRP on eligible purchases
Rewards were capped monthly, and in my case, the Essential Card allowed earnings of up to $120 per month in XRP.
In addition to card spending, Uphold also promoted 4% back in XRP on qualifying direct deposits, paid each payday. I enabled direct deposit from my employer to test this feature alongside card usage.
Why I Chose the Uphold Essential Card
I opted for the Uphold Essential Card, which has no subscription fee. My goal was to see whether the platform could realistically fit into daily financial habits without added costs.
After two months of use, the system worked as advertised. Rewards were credited within seven business days after the end of each month, and transaction tracking was clear inside the app.
Beyond rewards, Uphold functions as a multi-asset platform, allowing users to:
Add and withdraw funds Buy, sell, and swap cryptocurrencies Hold fiat and digital assets in one place
Uphold is partnered with Cross River Bank (a Member FDIC bank), which provides banking infrastructure for its card services. The platform also offers a USD interest account, currently advertising up to 3.75% APY, depending on market conditions.
Why I Selected XRP as My Rewards Asset
I specifically chose to receive rewards in XRP due to my long-term interest in the Ripple ecosystem. Ripple, the company closely associated with XRP, has focused on improving global payments infrastructure, particularly cross-border transfers.
After years of regulatory uncertainty in the United States, Ripple achieved a major legal milestone in its dispute with the SEC, allowing the company to resume broader domestic operations. Its leadership, including CEO Brad Garlinghouse, has remained publicly engaged and consistent throughout that period.
From an investment perspective, I believe leadership and long-term vision matter. Ripple’s continued focus on payment efficiency, institutional adoption, and regulatory clarity played a role in my decision to accumulate XRP gradually rather than actively trade it.
XRP and Ripple’s Broader Mission
At the time of writing, XRP is trading around $2.09, though prices fluctuate constantly.
Ripple’s broader objective is to enable faster and more efficient global value transfers. By using the XRP Ledger (XRPL) and XRP as a bridge asset, Ripple aims to reduce settlement times and costs for international payments. This approach seeks to modernize legacy systems by minimizing intermediaries and enabling near-instant settlement for financial institutions.
Regulatory Developments and the Crypto Landscape
The crypto industry is also seeing increased attention from U.S. lawmakers. Several proposed bills aim to bring clearer definitions and regulatory structure to digital assets. Ongoing discussions include:
Clarifying regulatory authority between the SEC and CFTC Establishing stablecoin oversight frameworks Improving investor protections Updating tax reporting rules for digital assets
Legislative efforts such as the House’s CLARITY Act (H.R. 3633) and broader Senate discussions around market structure could significantly shape the future of crypto adoption in the U.S. While outcomes remain uncertain, the direction suggests increasing institutional and regulatory engagement rather than outright opposition.
What Happens After the Promotional Period
For users who did not sign up before January 1, 2026—or after the introductory period ends—Uphold continues to offer ongoing rewards, though at lower rates:
Uphold Elite Card
4% back in XRP when funded with crypto or metals 3% back in XRP when funded with fiat or stablecoins
Uphold Essential Card
2% back in XRP on eligible purchases
While these rates are reduced compared to the promotional period, they still offer a way to accumulate crypto passively through everyday spending.
Final Thoughts
Overall, my experience with Uphold has been positive. As someone who had not previously used their services, the platform has become a regular part of my financial routine. The app is straightforward, rewards are delivered as described, and customer support has been responsive when needed.
For beginners especially, Uphold offers an accessible entry point into crypto without requiring deep technical knowledge. While crypto remains a volatile and evolving space, tools that simplify participation may help broader adoption over time.
Disclaimer
This article reflects my personal experience and opinions only. It is not financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments and financial products involve risk, and readers should conduct their own research and consider their financial situation before making any decisions.