Side-by-side card comparison

ARQ vs Coinbase One: where the score gap comes from

ARQ Card has the higher Overall Score by 8 points (64 vs 56). The available use-case scores do not point to a clear winner, so compare the fees, control of funds, card access and availability that matter to you.

Information checked Sep 5, 202659 official sources reviewed

01 · Where the gap opens

ARQ Card is the better all-round starting point

ARQ Card has the higher Overall Score in this comparison. Coinbase One Card may still suit you better if its card format, way of holding funds or availability is the deciding factor. A score cannot tell you whether a provider will accept your application or whether every feature will be available where you live, so check the latest provider terms before signing up.

OverallARQ64Coinbase One56Higher score
CashbackARQ40Coinbase One40Compare the details below
TravelARQ62Coinbase One60Compare the details below
Funds controlARQ52Coinbase One36Compare the details below
Lowest feesARQ52Coinbase One58Compare the details below
TransfersARQ75Coinbase One24Compare the details below

Choose ARQ Card if its day-to-day setup suits you

ARQ Card does not lead one of the use-case scores here, but it can still be the right choice when its costs, rewards and day-to-day setup match how you plan to use it. Read the side-by-side details before deciding.

  • Clear four-country residence coverage
  • Virtual, physical and phone-wallet access
  • Paid tiers add cashback and earnings

Choose Coinbase One Card if its day-to-day setup suits you

Coinbase One Card does not lead one of the use-case scores here, but it can still be the right choice when its costs, rewards and day-to-day setup match how you plan to use it. Read the side-by-side details before deciding.

  • 2% BTC on eligible purchases
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • Metal card and both phone wallets

What separates the two cards

The higher score is only the start. The rows below show which product differences create it.

Overall Score
ARQ64
Coinbase One56

ARQ Card has the higher Overall Score by 8 points.

Entry cost & FX
ARQ$0 plan · Provider spread unknown; Argentina/Brazil variant charges may apply FX
Coinbase One$49.99/year plan · 0% foreign transaction fee; Amex conversion rates remain separate FX

ARQ Card has the lower starting plan cost ($0 vs $49.99/year).

Purchase rewards
ARQ0% base · up to 2%
Coinbase One2% base · up to 4%

Coinbase One Card has the higher published base cashback rate (2% vs 0%).

Funds control
ARQCustodial balance
Coinbase OneCustodial balance

ARQ Card and Coinbase One Card use the same custodial balance setup.

Everyday access
ARQVirtual + Physical · Apple Pay, Google Pay
Coinbase OneVirtual + Physical · Apple Pay, Google Pay

Both cards list the same number of card formats and phone-wallet options.

Money movement
ARQ4 stablecoins · ARQ P2P; USD ACH payout
Coinbase One0 stablecoins · Not modeled

ARQ Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (6 vs 0).

02 · Read the shortlist

Why one card starts ahead

These quick facts cover the costs, rewards and everyday features behind the early lead.

2 cards compared
Cashback
0%-2%
Plan cost
$0
FX fee
Provider spread unknown; Argentina/Brazil variant charges may apply
ATM fee
1–3%
Card formats
Virtual, Physical
Wallet payments
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Receive methods
2 crypto · 2 fiat
Payout methods
0 crypto · 1 fiat
Cashback
2%-4%
Plan cost
$49.99/year
FX fee
0% foreign transaction fee; Amex conversion rates remain separate
ATM fee
Cash advance: greater of $10 or 5%, plus variable interest from posting and possible ATM-operator fees
Card formats
Virtual, Physical
Wallet payments
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Receive methods
0 crypto · 0 fiat
Payout methods
0 crypto · 0 fiat

03 · Compare the details

Test the lead, row by row

A better number is marked only when both providers publish values that can be compared fairly.

Best known Not disclosed
Cards
ARQ CardOverall64
Coinbase One CardOverall56
01

Scores

6 fields
Overall Score
ARQ Card
64
Coinbase One Card
56
Cashback score
ARQ Card
40
Coinbase One Card
40
Travel score
ARQ Card
62
Coinbase One Card
60
Funds control score
ARQ Card
52
Coinbase One Card
36
Lowest fees score
ARQ Card
52
Coinbase One Card
58
Transfers score
ARQ Card
75
Coinbase One Card
24
02

Strengths & trade-offs

2 fields
Strengths
ARQ Card
Clear four-country residence coverage, Virtual, physical and phone-wallet access
Coinbase One Card
2% BTC on eligible purchases, No foreign transaction fee
Trade-offs
ARQ Card
Provider FX spread remains unclear, Headline cashback requires membership
Coinbase One Card
Paid membership is required, Debt and cash advances carry costs
03

Costs

7 fields
Plan cost
ARQ Card
$0
Coinbase One Card
$49.99/year
FX fee
ARQ Card
Provider spread unknown; Argentina/Brazil variant charges may apply
Coinbase One Card
0% foreign transaction fee; Amex conversion rates remain separate
Top-up fee
ARQ Card
Standard receive: 3 USDc for USD/crypto and 3 EURc for EUR
Coinbase One Card
Linked U.S. bank or accepted Coinbase wallet repayment; crypto spread varies
Card spending fee
ARQ Card
0%
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
ATM fee
ARQ Card
1–3%
Coinbase One Card
Cash advance: greater of $10 or 5%, plus variable interest from posting and possible ATM-operator fees
Virtual card
ARQ Card
Free
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
Physical card
ARQ Card
$4.99 Standard; $0 Premium
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
04

Plans

2 fields
Available plans
ARQ Card
3 plans: Standard, Premium, Prestige
Coinbase One Card
4 plans: AOC tier 1: 2%, AOC tier 2: 2.5%, AOC tier 3: 3%, AOC tier 4: 4%
Top cashback plan
ARQ Card
Prestige: 2%
Coinbase One Card
AOC tier 4: 4%: 4%
05

Everyday use

8 fields
Network
ARQ Card
Mastercard
Coinbase One Card
American Express
Card formats
ARQ Card
Virtual, Physical
Coinbase One Card
Virtual, Physical
ATM withdrawals
ARQ Card
Available
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
Mobile wallets
ARQ Card
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Coinbase One Card
Apple Pay, Google Pay
Apps
ARQ Card
iOS, Android
Coinbase One Card
iOS, Android, Web
Daily spending limit
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Coinbase One Card
Personalized credit limit; no reusable daily spend ceiling
Monthly spending limit
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Coinbase One Card
Personalized credit limit; no reusable monthly spend ceiling
ATM limit
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Coinbase One Card
Cash access and its sublimit are determined by the issuer
06

Funding & transfers

5 fields
Networks
ARQ Card
Ethereum, Polygon, Tron
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
Crypto deposits
ARQ Card
Stablecoins: USDC, USDT
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
Fiat deposits
ARQ Card
USD receive, EUR receive
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
Transfers
ARQ Card
ARQ P2P; USD ACH payout
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
Payout currencies
ARQ Card
USD
Coinbase One Card
Not disclosed
07

Rewards

3 fields
Base cashback
ARQ Card
0%
Coinbase One Card
2%
Max cashback
ARQ Card
2%
Coinbase One Card
4%
Reward currency
ARQ Card
USDc cashback
Coinbase One Card
Bitcoin
08

Earn

5 fields
Advertised APY
ARQ Card
Up to 4.5% APY
Coinbase One Card
Up to 3.5% APY
How it works
ARQ Card
Earn on spending balance, Optional earn vault
Coinbase One Card
Borrow against collateral
Separate deposit
ARQ Card
Yes
Coinbase One Card
No
Use balance for spending
ARQ Card
No
Coinbase One Card
No
Lock-up
ARQ Card
No
Coinbase One Card
Yes
09

Trust & availability

4 fields
Custody
ARQ Card
Custodial
Coinbase One Card
Custodial
Control until payment
ARQ Card
Provider controls funds
Coinbase One Card
Provider controls funds
Card issuer
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Coinbase One Card
First Electronic Bank
Custody / key management
ARQ Card
Not disclosed
Coinbase One Card
Coinbase, Inc.
10

Sources

2 fields
Official sources
ARQ Card
36
Coinbase One Card
23
Last reviewed
ARQ Card
Aug 5, 2026
Coinbase One Card
Sep 5, 2026

04 · The verdict

ARQ Card is the stronger all-round choice

ARQ Card finishes ahead with an Overall Score of 64 versus 56 for Coinbase One Card. ARQ Card has the lower starting plan cost ($0 vs $49.99/year). Coinbase One Card has the higher published base cashback rate (2% vs 0%).

Coinbase One Card can still be the more comfortable choice if its availability, card setup or way of holding funds suits you better. ARQ Card and Coinbase One Card use the same custodial balance setup.

ARQ Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (6 vs 0). Before applying, confirm availability in your country and recheck the provider's current fees and reward conditions.

If one card now looks like the better fit, you can check the latest application terms on the provider site or read our full ARQ Card and Coinbase One Card reviews first.

05 · Common questions

ARQ vs Coinbase One FAQ

Is ARQ or Coinbase One better overall?

ARQ Card has the higher Overall Score (64 vs 56). That does not make it better for everyone: your preferred fees, rewards, way of holding funds and country availability can change the practical choice.

Which has lower fees, ARQ or Coinbase One?

ARQ Card has the lower starting plan cost ($0 vs $49.99/year). Compare plan, FX, card-spend, top-up and ATM charges separately because one fee does not represent the full cost.

Which has better cashback, ARQ or Coinbase One?

Coinbase One Card has the higher published base cashback rate (2% vs 0%). Maximum rates may depend on tiers, caps, categories or other conditions, so the entry rate and reward asset matter too.

How do ARQ and Coinbase One differ on custody?

ARQ Card and Coinbase One Card use the same custodial balance setup.

How current is this ARQ vs Coinbase One comparison?

The latest information check for these two cards was September 5, 2026, using 59 official sources in total. Each full card review lists its own check date, sources and anything the provider has not clearly disclosed.

06 · Test the winner

Put the leading card against another close alternative, or choose a new pair yourself.

Open the comparison workspace