XRP News Today: Uphold's XRP Card: Powering Crypto's Shift From Speculation to Spending

Uphold Launches US Debit Card With XRP Rewards and 10% Earning Potential

Uphold Inc., a global digital asset platform, has reintroduced its US debit card, offering users the ability to spend over 300 cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and fiat currencies at any Visa-accepting merchant while earning up to 10% in XRP rewards, according to a Bitcoin.com report. The relaunch, announced on October 30, marks a strategic move to integrate crypto into everyday spending and follows a two-year hiatus from the US debit card market, as reported by The Block. Users can earn 6% in XRP on purchases and an additional 4% by setting up direct deposits, creating a combined earning potential of 10%, the Bitcoin.com report notes. The card, issued by Cross River Bank, supports both fiat and crypto transactions, with rewards distributed directly in XRP, according to Coinpaper.

The card comes in two tiers: the Uphold Elite Card, offering 6% rewards, no ATM or foreign transaction fees, and a $99.99 annual fee, and the Uphold Essential Card, providing 4% rewards with no annual fee but including charges for ATM and international transactions, the Bitcoin.com report says. Rewards are valid for 90 days post-signup, after which standard rates apply, The Block adds. This initiative aligns with growing industry efforts to bridge crypto and traditional finance, as seen in Gemini's recent launch of a Solana-rewarded credit card, a development the Bitcoin.com report also highlighted.

The relaunch also leverages Uphold's deep ties to the XRP ecosystem. The company never delisted XRP during regulatory uncertainties, fostering loyalty among its user base, The Block reported. The rewards program reinforces XRP's utility beyond speculative trading, particularly as Ripple expands its institutional footprint through acquisitions like Ripple Prime, a rebranded prime brokerage discussed in a Bitcoinist article. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has emphasized XRP's central role in the company's vision for an "internet of value," where digital assets facilitate seamless global payments, as outlined in a Bitcoinist profile.

Legal developments further bolster XRP's legitimacy. In India, the Madras High Court recently ruled that XRP qualifies as property under local law, shielding users from unauthorized dilution by exchanges like WazirX following a $234 million hack, according to a Coinotag report. This decision affirms custodial responsibilities for platforms and strengthens user protections, signaling judicial recognition of crypto's evolving role in finance.

Market dynamics for XRP remain mixed. While the token holds key support levels around $2.61, open interest has dropped 40% to $4.46 billion, reflecting subdued retail activity post-October deleveraging events, according to an FXStreet analysis. Analysts note that institutional adoption and regulatory clarity—such as Ripple's SEC victory—could drive long-term growth, though short-term volatility persists.

Uphold's card initiative underscores crypto's transition from speculative assets to functional financial tools. By incentivizing real-world usage, the platform aims to accelerate mainstream adoption while benefiting XRP holders through recurring rewards, as noted in a Crypto.news report. As payment giants like Visa and Mastercard expand crypto integrations, the competitive landscape for digital asset-linked cards is heating up.