Zero Fees Meet Daily Spending
BitMart US is handing out 10% cash back to anyone willing to spend crypto through their new Visa debit card. The promotion lasts one month. After that, cardholders get 5% back across seven spending categories.
Chad Liang, speaking for BitMart US, framed the card as a bridge between crypto holdings and groceries. "Crypto is not just like an investment tool but it can actually play a real role in their daily life," he said. The exchange already offers zero trading fees for US users. The card extends that cost-cutting logic to offline transactions.
Most US bank cards limit high cash back to two or three categories. BitMart US covers seven: dining, grocery, gas, retail (Amazon and Walmart specifically), entertainment, digital subscriptions, and travel. Anywhere Visa works, the card works.
The first-month subsidy comes straight from BitMart US' budget. "We are giving even more so we're actually covered cost from our own," Liang said. That 10% promo rate doubles the standard ongoing 5% and triples what most premium credit cards offer on everyday purchases.
Retail Focus in Four States
BitMart US operates under full licensing in all 50 states, but Liang named four markets where the company runs offline meetups and sees the most traction: New York, New Jersey, California, and Texas. The exchange is headquartered in New York and New Jersey.
The card launch comes with a specific user in mind. "We are more focussing on the retail users," Liang said. He positioned BitMart against Coinbase, citing high trading fees and slow support as pain points. "Probably they charge you a lot for the trading fees and also probably you are the trading fee and faster customer service."
Students showed up as an early adopter group. "We see some students. They want us because probably their budget is even more like limited," Liang noted. Budget constraints push people toward platforms with zero friction costs. BitMart is betting that applies to both trading and spending.
Global Card Gets US Upgrade
BitMart US already runs a global crypto card. The US version launched as a separate product with better terms. When asked if the US card beats the global one, Liang confirmed: "Better, yes better."
He did not specify which features improved, but the 10% first-month offer and seven-category 5% structure do not appear on BitMart's international card marketing. The US card also carries regulatory compliance that the global version does not require.
VIP users get elevated rewards on top of the base 5%. Liang mentioned "more cash backs" for high-tier accounts but did not quantify the increase. The tiering model mirrors traditional exchange loyalty programs where trading volume unlocks perks.
New York Licensing Hurdle Cleared
Operating a crypto exchange in New York requires navigating the state's BitLicense framework, which has blocked or delayed multiple platforms over the years. Liang confirmed BitMart has the necessary approvals. "We also have to do the business in all the 50 states," he said, indicating compliance extends beyond just New York.
That licensing reach matters for card issuance. A Visa partnership needs backing from a regulated entity. Without 50-state licensing, BitMart US would face the same geographic restrictions that limit other crypto spending products to certain regions.
The card rollout targets acquisition. Liang called it "an acquisition vehicle for the BitMart US platform" when asked directly. Every swipe at a gas station or grocery store feeds into onboarding retail traders who might stick around for the zero-fee exchange after the 10% promo ends.
The sustainability question hangs over any 10% cash back offer. BitMart US is absorbing the cost short-term to prove crypto can replace debit cards for routine purchases. Whether users stay after the rate drops to 5% will test if convenience and category coverage beat the novelty of spending digital assets at Walmart.
Traditional rewards cards cap high cash back at specific merchants or rotate categories quarterly. BitMart US' static seven-category structure removes that friction. If you buy groceries, gas, and pay for Netflix every month, you hit 5% on all three without checking which quarter you are in.
Liang did not share user numbers, transaction volume, or a timeline for scaling beyond the four primary states. The card exists. The rates exist. The rest depends on whether retail crypto holders see their wallets as checking accounts or just speculative bets they will cash out later.
Disclaimer:
BitMart US products and services may not be available in certain jurisdictions. Digital asset investment carries a highly speculative nature and may result in significant losses. Cryptocurrency prices experience severe volatility, and investors should make prudent decisions based on their financial circumstances and risk tolerance. BitMart US does not provide investment, legal, or tax advice. Users assume all risks associated with using the platform services.
