Currency Conversion Fee
Most important fee to compare
When you tap your crypto card at a merchant, your crypto balance is converted to the local currency in real time. The issuer charges a conversion fee on this exchange — typically 0% to 2%. This is the fee that affects every single transaction, so even a 1% difference adds up significantly over a year of regular spending. At $2,000/month spend, the difference between a 0% and 2% conversion fee is $480/year.
FX (Foreign Exchange) Fee
Critical for travellers
On top of the conversion fee, some cards charge an additional FX fee when the purchase currency differs from your home currency (usually USD or EUR). Standard bank cards charge 1–3% FX fees on all international transactions. The best crypto cards charge 0% FX — passing the Visa/Mastercard interbank exchange rate directly to you. For anyone who travels frequently or shops from international websites, this is the second most important fee to compare.
ATM Withdrawal Fee
Only relevant if you use ATMs
Most crypto cards charge a fee per ATM withdrawal — either a flat fee (e.g., $2) or a percentage of the withdrawal amount, often combined. Some cards include a free withdrawal allowance (e.g., 2 free withdrawals per month, or free up to $200/month). ATM operator fees are always separate and added on top. To minimise ATM fees: use cards with free ATM allowances, withdraw larger amounts less frequently, and use ATMs that don't charge their own surcharge.
Monthly / Annual Card Fee
Easy to overlook
Some cards charge a monthly or annual maintenance fee just to keep the card active. These range from $0 (most modern crypto cards) to $20/month for premium tiers. Before applying, factor this into your cost calculation: a $10/month card with 0% FX fees may be cheaper than a 'free' card with 1.5% FX fees if you spend more than $800/month internationally. Many cards waive the monthly fee if you hold a minimum balance or stake the issuer's native token.
Top-Up / Deposit Fee
Often overlooked
Depositing crypto onto your card wallet may incur a top-up fee, especially for deposits via credit card or bank transfer. On-chain crypto deposits (USDT, ETH, etc.) usually incur network gas fees, not card fees — but these vary by blockchain. Tron (TRC-20) USDT is the cheapest to deposit (typically under $1), while Ethereum ERC-20 can cost $2–$10+ during congestion. Choose a card that accepts USDT on low-fee networks to keep top-up costs minimal.
Inactivity Fee
Easy to avoid
Some issuers charge an inactivity fee if your card hasn't been used for a set period (typically 6–12 months). This is charged against your card balance. To avoid it, make at least one small transaction every few months — or check whether your card has this fee before applying. Cards designed for occasional use should avoid inactivity-fee issuers.
Card Replacement Fee
Low priority, one-time
If you lose your physical card, most issuers charge $5–$25 for a replacement. Some premium cards include free replacements. This is a one-time, infrequent cost and shouldn't be a primary decision factor, but it's worth knowing if you're a frequent traveller with higher risk of card loss.
Quick fee priority matrix