Crypto.com is everywhere these days, whether you’ve seen them on top of arenas in LA
Crypto.com is everywhere these days, whether you’ve seen them on top of arenas in LA

or in their ridiculous high budget ads.
or in their ridiculous high budget ads.

But don’t let their flashy marketing fool you - because with all that spending, crypto.com
But don’t let their flashy marketing fool you - because with all that spending, crypto.com

users are left with an inferior cryptocurrency platform that isn’t actually rewarding you
users are left with an inferior cryptocurrency platform that isn’t actually rewarding you

as much as you’d expect.
as much as you’d expect.

In this video, I’m breaking down why you’re probably better off using other platforms
In this video, I’m breaking down why you’re probably better off using other platforms

over crypto.com.
over crypto.com.

Whether you simply want to trade crypto, earn passive income on your crypto, or get a crypto
Whether you simply want to trade crypto, earn passive income on your crypto, or get a crypto

rewards card, crypto.com is far from the best choice.
rewards card, crypto.com is far from the best choice.

Top it all off with a pretty weak native token in CRO, and I think most crypto investors
Top it all off with a pretty weak native token in CRO, and I think most crypto investors

are better off elsewhere.
are better off elsewhere.

Of course, I’ll wrap up with my favorite alternatives for all of these products if
Of course, I’ll wrap up with my favorite alternatives for all of these products if

you’re interested in making your crypto investments go as far as possible.
you’re interested in making your crypto investments go as far as possible.

Let’s get started.
Let’s get started.

There are a ton of hidden costs when it comes to trading crypto, and these can add up fast
There are a ton of hidden costs when it comes to trading crypto, and these can add up fast

if you’re not aware of them.
if you’re not aware of them.

Especially in the case of crypto.com, where these fees are higher than average.
Especially in the case of crypto.com, where these fees are higher than average.

Now I will say crypto.com does offer an impressive selection of supported currencies, claiming
Now I will say crypto.com does offer an impressive selection of supported currencies, claiming

over 250 supported assets - which is certainly more than most mainstream exchanges.
over 250 supported assets - which is certainly more than most mainstream exchanges.

But that doesn’t fix the problem of trading fees, which start at .4% for users trading
But that doesn’t fix the problem of trading fees, which start at .4% for users trading

less than $25,000 on a monthly basis, which I imagine is most users.
less than $25,000 on a monthly basis, which I imagine is most users.

You can get a discount on this base rate if you stake the CRO token, which is another
You can get a discount on this base rate if you stake the CRO token, which is another

issue we’ll get into more later.
issue we’ll get into more later.

In short, they ask you to stake a TON of tokens for a very small reduction in trading fees.
In short, they ask you to stake a TON of tokens for a very small reduction in trading fees.

The next issue is the withdrawal fees, which are going to get tacked on anytime you move
The next issue is the withdrawal fees, which are going to get tacked on anytime you move

coins out of crypto.com and into another wallet.
coins out of crypto.com and into another wallet.

These will change with the market depending on gas fees, but currently, can cost up to
These will change with the market depending on gas fees, but currently, can cost up to

$25 per withdrawal depending on the asset.
$25 per withdrawal depending on the asset.

These can get very costly for people who dollar cost average over time and move their assets
These can get very costly for people who dollar cost average over time and move their assets

off the exchange to keep them secure.
off the exchange to keep them secure.

Or, people who move them to crypto interest platforms to earn passive income, which many
Or, people who move them to crypto interest platforms to earn passive income, which many

people will probably do outside of crypto.com because their earn rates continue to drop.
people will probably do outside of crypto.com because their earn rates continue to drop.

And that brings us to the lackluster crypto interest offerings on crypto.com.
And that brings us to the lackluster crypto interest offerings on crypto.com.

They advertise up to 14.5% on your crypto, but as you’ll see, it’s incredibly difficult
They advertise up to 14.5% on your crypto, but as you’ll see, it’s incredibly difficult

to get these rates.
to get these rates.

This is from a combination of the requirement to lock up your assets, the requirement to
This is from a combination of the requirement to lock up your assets, the requirement to

stake the native CRO token, a tiered rate system, and above all, recent rate cuts that
stake the native CRO token, a tiered rate system, and above all, recent rate cuts that

lowered interest even further.
lowered interest even further.

For starters, you’ll notice they have different earn rates depending on the amount of CRO
For starters, you’ll notice they have different earn rates depending on the amount of CRO

tokens you’re staking, which again, is the native token of crypto.com.
tokens you’re staking, which again, is the native token of crypto.com.

I’m not sure why they use the number “$400 or less” because you don’t actually get
I’m not sure why they use the number “$400 or less” because you don’t actually get

any added benefits until you stake $4,000 of CRO… which means for small investors,
any added benefits until you stake $4,000 of CRO… which means for small investors,

you don’t actually get any rate boosts for holding CRO tokens, whether it’s at the
you don’t actually get any rate boosts for holding CRO tokens, whether it’s at the

$400 threshold or not.
$400 threshold or not.

And that means most users can expect to earn rates within these ranges.
And that means most users can expect to earn rates within these ranges.

The trick is, the base rate is super low for all of these assets.
The trick is, the base rate is super low for all of these assets.

You have to lock up your crypto for fixed terms in order to get a rate increase, which
You have to lock up your crypto for fixed terms in order to get a rate increase, which

means you won’t be able to withdraw or sell your crypto for 1 to 3 months at a time.
means you won’t be able to withdraw or sell your crypto for 1 to 3 months at a time.

This may not be a dealbreaker for long term holders, but it’s not a requirement I like
This may not be a dealbreaker for long term holders, but it’s not a requirement I like

to see to earn interest - after all, it’s better to have the option to be liquid when
to see to earn interest - after all, it’s better to have the option to be liquid when

possible.
possible.

Still, even if you lock up your assets for the maximum 3-month term, you’ll be limited
Still, even if you lock up your assets for the maximum 3-month term, you’ll be limited

to 6% interest on stablecoins, 4% on LUNA, Elrond and ATOM, and just 3% on Bitcoin and
to 6% interest on stablecoins, 4% on LUNA, Elrond and ATOM, and just 3% on Bitcoin and

Ethereum.
Ethereum.

As you’ll see in a minute, these rates are pathetic compared to what you can get elsewhere
As you’ll see in a minute, these rates are pathetic compared to what you can get elsewhere

with no lock-ups required.
with no lock-ups required.

Furthermore, if you choose to lock up your assets for higher rates, you’ll be subject
Furthermore, if you choose to lock up your assets for higher rates, you’ll be subject

to tiered limits.
to tiered limits.

For your first $30,000 of assets, you’ll get the advertised rates.
For your first $30,000 of assets, you’ll get the advertised rates.

Those will be the rates you see here, as advertised.
Those will be the rates you see here, as advertised.

Anything beyond $30,000 will earn ONE HALF of the advertised rates.
Anything beyond $30,000 will earn ONE HALF of the advertised rates.

This is absurd to me because it means that locking up for 3 months will give you the
This is absurd to me because it means that locking up for 3 months will give you the

same or even lower rates as locking up for 1 month…
same or even lower rates as locking up for 1 month…

All of this makes it really hard to earn meaningful interest on your crypto, whether you have
All of this makes it really hard to earn meaningful interest on your crypto, whether you have

a small, medium or large portfolio.
a small, medium or large portfolio.

Note that you can still get a 2% boost on fixed term rates for being a Crypto Visa Card
Note that you can still get a 2% boost on fixed term rates for being a Crypto Visa Card

holder of a certain status level, but to attain these levels, you’ll need to stake at least
holder of a certain status level, but to attain these levels, you’ll need to stake at least

$40,000 of CRO token - and as we take a closer look at the cards, you’ll see that they’re
$40,000 of CRO token - and as we take a closer look at the cards, you’ll see that they’re

not quite worth it either, even if you have $40,000 to spare.
not quite worth it either, even if you have $40,000 to spare.

The main problem with the crypto.com visa cards is that they require you to stake a
The main problem with the crypto.com visa cards is that they require you to stake a

huge amount of CRO tokens for very little benefit.
huge amount of CRO tokens for very little benefit.

For anyone new to the card, these are prepaid cards that you first top-up with fiat or crypto.
For anyone new to the card, these are prepaid cards that you first top-up with fiat or crypto.

Then, you can spend the loaded funds anywhere you would use a normal debit card.
Then, you can spend the loaded funds anywhere you would use a normal debit card.

Depending on your card tier, which depends on the dollar value of CRO you have staked,
Depending on your card tier, which depends on the dollar value of CRO you have staked,

you’ll get a fixed “cash back” rate paid in the CRO token.
you’ll get a fixed “cash back” rate paid in the CRO token.

The lowest two tiers offer pretty meager rewards, which hardly measure up to standard credit
The lowest two tiers offer pretty meager rewards, which hardly measure up to standard credit

cards.
cards.

The Royal Indigo & Jade Green level are where things start to look good with 3% back and
The Royal Indigo & Jade Green level are where things start to look good with 3% back and

100% back on Netflix and Spotify, but it doesn’t come cheap with a $4,000 CRO staking requirement.
100% back on Netflix and Spotify, but it doesn’t come cheap with a $4,000 CRO staking requirement.

Plus, you get no real benefits within the crypto.com ecosystem.
Plus, you get no real benefits within the crypto.com ecosystem.

The $40,000 and $400,000 card levels are where you start to get meaningful rewards on your
The $40,000 and $400,000 card levels are where you start to get meaningful rewards on your

spending and bonus rewards with the crypto earn product.
spending and bonus rewards with the crypto earn product.

But again, acquiring $40,000 of the CRO token is a huge ask for a casual investor who just
But again, acquiring $40,000 of the CRO token is a huge ask for a casual investor who just

wants to get a few extra percent back on their spending.
wants to get a few extra percent back on their spending.

And if you have $40,000 to lock up in CRO tokens, you’re probably not concerned about
And if you have $40,000 to lock up in CRO tokens, you’re probably not concerned about

saving on your $13 per month Spotify subscription.
saving on your $13 per month Spotify subscription.

Even some of the worst crypto rewards credit cards out there offer a better alternative
Even some of the worst crypto rewards credit cards out there offer a better alternative

to the Crypto.com Visa card, because they don’t require you to have a wealth of assets
to the Crypto.com Visa card, because they don’t require you to have a wealth of assets

to get crypto rewards.
to get crypto rewards.

In my opinion, this card really only makes sense for high net worth individuals who are
In my opinion, this card really only makes sense for high net worth individuals who are

comfortable with allocating to the CRO token.
comfortable with allocating to the CRO token.

And the fact that everything is so dependent on the CRO token makes everything worse, especially
And the fact that everything is so dependent on the CRO token makes everything worse, especially

because it’s such an unappealing asset to hold.
because it’s such an unappealing asset to hold.

Ultimately, the CRO token has three main utilities - payment infrastructure with crypto.com pay
Ultimately, the CRO token has three main utilities - payment infrastructure with crypto.com pay

and visa cards, providing boosted rewards on the crypto.com app and as the core asset
and visa cards, providing boosted rewards on the crypto.com app and as the core asset

of its newly added DeFi platform.
of its newly added DeFi platform.

But in each of these cases, I don’t think the CRO token is providing enough utility
But in each of these cases, I don’t think the CRO token is providing enough utility

to actually be worth buying or holding.
to actually be worth buying or holding.

In order to get meaningful value out of trading, earning interest or spending with the debit
In order to get meaningful value out of trading, earning interest or spending with the debit

card, you need to hold a ton of CRO tokens, or at least $4,000 worth on the low end.
card, you need to hold a ton of CRO tokens, or at least $4,000 worth on the low end.

And then you have to stake it, which comes with a strict 180-day staking period.
And then you have to stake it, which comes with a strict 180-day staking period.

So if you do this, you have to be prepared to lock up those coins for 6 whole months,
So if you do this, you have to be prepared to lock up those coins for 6 whole months,

a period that will restart for your entire balance if you ever choose to top-up your
a period that will restart for your entire balance if you ever choose to top-up your

balance.
balance.

That’s a lot of steps just to get a few extra percent on your crypto, if you can even
That’s a lot of steps just to get a few extra percent on your crypto, if you can even

afford it in the first place.
afford it in the first place.

Now these staking requirements do have some perks, because having tokens locked up for
Now these staking requirements do have some perks, because having tokens locked up for

such a long period of time should lower the volatility in the token price.
such a long period of time should lower the volatility in the token price.

Stakers will also earn 10% APR on their staked token balance, but you can’t compound this
Stakers will also earn 10% APR on their staked token balance, but you can’t compound this

without resetting your staking period.
without resetting your staking period.

Additionally, from an investment perspective, we also have to consider that CRO is already
Additionally, from an investment perspective, we also have to consider that CRO is already

in the top 20 cryptocurrencies with a market cap of about $12 billion.
in the top 20 cryptocurrencies with a market cap of about $12 billion.

This means it will take a lot more demand to continue driving the price up.
This means it will take a lot more demand to continue driving the price up.

With the token lacking any significant benefits for the average crypto.com user, I don’t
With the token lacking any significant benefits for the average crypto.com user, I don’t

see a lot of people allocating to CRO even as the platform continues to grow.
see a lot of people allocating to CRO even as the platform continues to grow.

The only exception I see could be in the DeFi space as crypto.com expands there.
The only exception I see could be in the DeFi space as crypto.com expands there.

However, as someone who’s been dabbling in DeFi myself, I don’t know why I would
However, as someone who’s been dabbling in DeFi myself, I don’t know why I would

choose the CRO token to do it when I could use other assets with higher APR rates, more
choose the CRO token to do it when I could use other assets with higher APR rates, more

decentralization, better tokenomics and blockchains that were built for DeFi from the ground up.
decentralization, better tokenomics and blockchains that were built for DeFi from the ground up.

Crypto.com DeFi is an easy transition from the main crypto.com exchange, but I don’t
Crypto.com DeFi is an easy transition from the main crypto.com exchange, but I don’t

think that’s big enough to drive value to the token.
think that’s big enough to drive value to the token.

And ultimately, if I don’t think the asset will appreciate, I certainly wouldn’t want
And ultimately, if I don’t think the asset will appreciate, I certainly wouldn’t want

to buy, hold or stake it when there are more attractive cryptocurrencies out there.
to buy, hold or stake it when there are more attractive cryptocurrencies out there.

So if you actually want to save and earn as much as possible in crypto, here’s how I
So if you actually want to save and earn as much as possible in crypto, here’s how I

like to do it.
like to do it.

For all trading, on-ramps and off-ramps, I use the Gemini exchange.
For all trading, on-ramps and off-ramps, I use the Gemini exchange.

They have free ACH bank transfers that are instantly available for trading, with trading
They have free ACH bank transfers that are instantly available for trading, with trading

fees starting at just .2%, assuming you use limit orders on the active trader tool.
fees starting at just .2%, assuming you use limit orders on the active trader tool.

This fee scales down with trade volume, but the base rate still beats crypto.com.
This fee scales down with trade volume, but the base rate still beats crypto.com.

Plus, Gemini gives users 10 free transfers every single month, so you can dollar cost
Plus, Gemini gives users 10 free transfers every single month, so you can dollar cost

average and withdraw your assets without any gas fees whatsoever.
average and withdraw your assets without any gas fees whatsoever.

This is the absolute cheapest way to exchange your dollars for crypto.
This is the absolute cheapest way to exchange your dollars for crypto.

For passive income on crypto, Celsius Network is the best choice in the industry.
For passive income on crypto, Celsius Network is the best choice in the industry.

Unlike crypto.com, there are no lock ups or token staking requirements to earn great rates.
Unlike crypto.com, there are no lock ups or token staking requirements to earn great rates.

Their best rates are available to all users, all of which beat crypto.com’s rates.
Their best rates are available to all users, all of which beat crypto.com’s rates.

The only tiers they have apply to Bitcoin and Ethereum balances, which are still vastly
The only tiers they have apply to Bitcoin and Ethereum balances, which are still vastly

higher limits than the $30,000 valuation cap on Crypto.com.
higher limits than the $30,000 valuation cap on Crypto.com.

They’re even adding free in-app swaps and a crypto credit card in the near future.
They’re even adding free in-app swaps and a crypto credit card in the near future.

And if you ever need to withdraw, Celsius covers all gas and network fees giving users
And if you ever need to withdraw, Celsius covers all gas and network fees giving users

an unlimited number of free transfers.
an unlimited number of free transfers.

Finally, not that native tokens are a requirement, but I also think Celsius’ native CEL token
Finally, not that native tokens are a requirement, but I also think Celsius’ native CEL token

is really attractive, because it provides benefits for owning as little as 1 token,
is really attractive, because it provides benefits for owning as little as 1 token,

and it’s a deflationary asset tied to the growth of the platform.
and it’s a deflationary asset tied to the growth of the platform.

If you want a crypto rewards card, I still think most people are better off using something
If you want a crypto rewards card, I still think most people are better off using something

that doesn’t require locking up assets, as even a standard cash back card could give
that doesn’t require locking up assets, as even a standard cash back card could give

you more bang for your buck.
you more bang for your buck.

If you really want crypto back, though, despite my critiques, I think even the BlockFi card
If you really want crypto back, though, despite my critiques, I think even the BlockFi card

is preferable to the Crypto.com Visa.
is preferable to the Crypto.com Visa.

Gemini also just launched a crypto rewards card with decent rewards.
Gemini also just launched a crypto rewards card with decent rewards.

And again, Celsius is launching their card this year, which I expect to be even better
And again, Celsius is launching their card this year, which I expect to be even better

than the rest.
than the rest.

If you want to get started with any of these platforms, I’ll leave links below where
If you want to get started with any of these platforms, I’ll leave links below where

you can earn $10 in Bitcoin for trading your first $100 on Gemini, and $50 in Bitcoin for
you can earn $10 in Bitcoin for trading your first $100 on Gemini, and $50 in Bitcoin for

transferring your first $400 of crypto to the Celsius platform, so grab those freebies
transferring your first $400 of crypto to the Celsius platform, so grab those freebies

if you’re interested.
if you’re interested.

For a clearer guide on how to use these platforms, you can check out this video where I walk
For a clearer guide on how to use these platforms, you can check out this video where I walk

you through every step of buying and earning yield on your crypto using Gemini
you through every step of buying and earning yield on your crypto using Gemini

and Celsius.
and Celsius.

I’ll see you in the next video.
I’ll see you in the next video.