ether.fiether.fi Cash
86
Side-by-side card comparison
ether.fi Cash vs Lava: fees, rewards and account setup
ether.fi Cash Card has the higher Overall Score by 24 points (86 vs 62). ether.fi Cash Card also looks stronger for Cashback, Travel, Funds control, Lowest fees, and Transfers. The details below show where Lava Card may still be the better personal fit.
Information checked Oct 6, 202665 official sources reviewed
01 · Make the first cut
ether.fi Cash Card is the better all-round starting point
ether.fi Cash Card has the higher Overall Score in this comparison. Lava 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.
Overallether.fi Cash86Lava62Higher score
Cashbackether.fi Cash84Lava36Higher score
Travelether.fi Cash82Lava46Higher score
Funds controlether.fi Cash96Lava56Higher score
Lowest feesether.fi Cash65Lava59Higher score
Transfersether.fi Cash100Lava80Higher score
Choose ether.fi Cash Card if cashback and travel matter most
ether.fi Cash Card comes out ahead for Cashback, Travel, Funds control, Lowest fees, and Transfers in this comparison. It is worth a closer look if those are the parts of a card you expect to use most.
- Card spend plus cash-account rails
- Liquid USD can stay spendable
- Tiers make perks easier to compare
Choose Lava Card if its day-to-day setup suits you
Lava 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. The other card looks stronger for Cashback, Travel, Funds control, Lowest fees, and Transfers, so compare that advantage with the features you would actually use.
- No provider card FX fee
- BTC rewards at selected partners
- Stablecoin and bank funding
The differences that could change the result
The overall score points one way, but a specific use case or product condition may point another.
- Overall Score
- ether.fi Cash86Lava62
ether.fi Cash Card has the higher Overall Score by 24 points.
- Entry cost & FX
- ether.fi Cash$0 plan · 0–0.5% FXLava$0 plan · 0% provider FX fee FX
Lava Card has the lower published FX fee (0% provider FX fee vs 0–0.5%).
- Purchase rewards
- ether.fi Cash3% base · up to 4%LavaUp to 5%
The providers have not published enough matching base cashback information to name a winner. Check the maximum rates, reward assets, caps and conditions below.
- Funds control
- ether.fi CashNon-custodial accountLavaHybrid custody
ether.fi Cash Card uses a non-custodial account setup, while Lava Card uses a hybrid custody setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.
- Everyday access
- ether.fi CashVirtual + Physical · Apple Pay, Google PayLavaCard format not disclosed · Apple Pay, Google Pay
ether.fi Cash Card lists more card formats and phone-wallet options (4 vs 2).
- Money movement
- ether.fi Cash5 stablecoins · Stablecoin transfers; USD ACH, USD Fedwire, EUR SEPA, USD SWIFT +2Lava3 stablecoins · Stablecoin transfers; Lava account bank withdrawal
ether.fi Cash Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (12 vs 5).
02 · Read the shortlist
A closer look at the two cards
These quick facts cover the costs, rewards and everyday features most likely to shape your choice. Use the full table below when you want the finer details.
- Cashback
- 3%-4%
- Plan cost
- $0
- FX fee
- 0–0.5%
- ATM fee
- Not disclosed
- Card formats
- Virtual, Physical
- Wallet payments
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Receive methods
- 18 crypto · 14 fiat
- Payout methods
- 5 crypto · 30 fiat
- Cashback
- Up to 5%
- Plan cost
- $0
- FX fee
- 0% provider FX fee
- ATM fee
- 2%; min $1
- Card formats
- Not disclosed
- Wallet payments
- Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Receive methods
- 3 crypto · 1 fiat
- Payout methods
- 1 crypto · 2 fiat
Partner links may earn us a commission. Read our affiliate disclosure for how these links work.
03 · Compare the details
Compare the details side by side
We highlight a better number only when both cards publish values that can be compared fairly. Anything missing stays clearly marked.
Best known Not disclosed
Cardsether.fi Cash CardOverall86Lava CardOverall62
ether.fi Cash CardOverall86Lava CardOverall62Scores
6 fields- Overall Score
- ether.fi Cash Card86Lava Card62
- Cashback score
- ether.fi Cash Card84Lava Card36
- Travel score
- ether.fi Cash Card82Lava Card46
- Funds control score
- ether.fi Cash Card96Lava Card56
- Lowest fees score
- ether.fi Cash Card65Lava Card59
- Transfers score
- ether.fi Cash Card100Lava Card80
Strengths & trade-offs
2 fields- Strengths
- ether.fi Cash CardCard spend plus cash-account rails, Liquid USD can stay spendableLava CardNo provider card FX fee, BTC rewards at selected partners
- Trade-offs
- ether.fi Cash CardVault returns depend on the selected strategy, Borrowing accrues interest immediatelyLava CardCard access remains unclear, USD settlement is custodial
Costs
7 fields- Plan cost
- ether.fi Cash Card$0Lava Card$0
- FX fee
- ether.fi Cash Card0–0.5%Lava Card0% provider FX fee
- Top-up fee
- ether.fi Cash CardNot disclosedLava CardNo added Lava funding markup. Banks and payment providers may charge; the FAQ lists 1.25% same-day ACH and $25 domestic wire. Regular ACH, SEPA and SPEI are listed as free where eligible. The fee recipient is not specified
- Card spending fee
- ether.fi Cash CardNot disclosedLava CardNot disclosed
- ATM fee
- ether.fi Cash CardNot disclosedLava Card2%; min $1
- Virtual card
- ether.fi Cash CardFirst virtual card normally $0; $10 for AR, AO, BD, BO, CO, EC, ID, MY, MX, NG, PE, PH, ZA and TH under the dedicated fee article. Check the displayed price before order.Lava CardNot disclosed
- Physical card
- ether.fi Cash CardComparison page: Core $60 including shipping; one free physical card on higher tiers. Help pages describe additional-card fees and different included quantities. Confirm the order quote.Lava CardNot disclosed
Plans
2 fields- Available plans
- ether.fi Cash Card4 plans: Core, Luxe, Pinnacle, VIPLava CardNot disclosed
- Top cashback plan
- ether.fi Cash CardVIP: 4%Lava CardNot disclosed
Everyday use
8 fields- Network
- ether.fi Cash CardVisaLava CardVisa
- Card formats
- ether.fi Cash CardVirtual, PhysicalLava CardNot disclosed
- ATM withdrawals
- ether.fi Cash CardAvailableLava CardNot disclosed
- Mobile wallets
- ether.fi Cash CardApple Pay, Google PayLava CardApple Pay, Google Pay
- Apps
- ether.fi Cash CardiOS, Android, WebLava CardiOS, Android, Web
- Daily spending limit
- ether.fi Cash CardEditable defaults: $5,000/day per card; Vault $10,000/day and $10,000/month. Current tier maximum is unconfirmed; the first applicable card, Vault or MCC limit applies.Lava CardAccount-specific and collateral-dependent; universal daily amount not disclosed.
- Monthly spending limit
- ether.fi Cash CardMonthly limit shown in app; cashback caps vary by planLava CardAccount-specific; universal monthly amount not disclosed.
- ATM limit
- ether.fi Cash CardCore/Luxe/Pinnacle: $1,000 per withdrawal, up to 5 withdrawals and $5,000 per rolling 24 hours. VIP numeric ceiling is unconfirmed.Lava CardAccess is conditional; withdrawal limits not disclosed.
Funding & transfers
5 fields- Networks
- ether.fi Cash CardOptimism, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, HyperEVM, BNB Smart Chain +10Lava CardSolana, Ethereum, Arbitrum, Avalanche, Base, Celo +4
- Crypto deposits
- ether.fi Cash CardStablecoins: USDC, USDT, EURC, frxUSD, LiquidUSD; Other crypto: beHYPE, eBTC, ETHFI, LiquidBTC, LiquidETH +8Lava CardStablecoins: USDC, USDT, PYUSD
- Fiat deposits
- ether.fi Cash CardUSD ACH, USD Fedwire, EUR SEPA, USD SWIFT +10Lava CardLava account bank funding
- Transfers
- ether.fi Cash CardStablecoin transfers; USD ACH, USD Fedwire, EUR SEPA, USD SWIFT +2Lava CardStablecoin transfers; Lava account bank withdrawal
- Payout currencies
- ether.fi Cash CardUSD, EUR, GBP, AED, AUD, BRL, CAD, CHF +22Lava CardUSD, EUR
Rewards
3 fields- Base cashback
- ether.fi Cash Card3%Lava CardNot disclosed
- Max cashback
- ether.fi Cash Card4%Lava Card5%
- Reward currency
- ether.fi Cash CardETHFI token cashbackLava CardBTC
Earn
5 fields- Advertised APY
- ether.fi Cash CardUp to 5.47% APYLava CardUp to 6.5% APY
- How it works
- ether.fi Cash CardEarn on spending balance, Borrow against collateral, Optional earn vaultLava CardOptional earn vault
- Separate deposit
- ether.fi Cash CardNot disclosedLava CardYes
- Use balance for spending
- ether.fi Cash CardNot disclosedLava CardNo
- Lock-up
- ether.fi Cash CardNot disclosedLava CardNo
Trust & availability
5 fields- Custody
- ether.fi Cash CardNon-custodialLava CardHybrid custody
- Control until payment
- ether.fi Cash CardYou keep controlLava CardProvider controls funds
- Card issuer
- ether.fi Cash CardThird NationalLava CardThird National
- Deposits & withdrawals
- ether.fi Cash CardSEPA third-party providerLava CardNot disclosed
- Programme operator
- ether.fi Cash Cardether.fi, Ether.Fi SEZCLava CardNot disclosed
Sources
2 fields- Official sources
- ether.fi Cash Card37Lava Card28
- Last reviewed
- ether.fi Cash CardOct 6, 2026Lava CardOct 6, 2026
04 · The takeaway
ether.fi Cash Card is the stronger all-round choice
ether.fi Cash Card finishes ahead with an Overall Score of 86 versus 62 for Lava Card. Lava Card has the lower published FX fee (0% provider FX fee vs 0–0.5%). The providers have not published enough matching base cashback information to name a winner. Check the maximum rates, reward assets, caps and conditions below.
Lava Card can still be the more comfortable choice if its availability, card setup or way of holding funds suits you better. ether.fi Cash Card uses a non-custodial account setup, while Lava Card uses a hybrid custody setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.
ether.fi Cash Card lists more stablecoins and ways to send money out (12 vs 5). 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 ether.fi Cash Card and Lava Card reviews first.
Continue with
ether.fi Cash Card
Continue with
Lava Card
05 · Common questions
ether.fi Cash vs Lava FAQ
Is ether.fi Cash or Lava better overall?
ether.fi Cash Card has the higher Overall Score (86 vs 62). 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, ether.fi Cash or Lava?
Lava Card has the lower published FX fee (0% provider FX fee vs 0–0.5%). Compare plan, FX, card-spend, top-up and ATM charges separately because one fee does not represent the full cost.
Which has better cashback, ether.fi Cash or Lava?
The providers have not published enough matching base cashback information to name a winner. Check the maximum rates, reward assets, caps and conditions below. Maximum rates may depend on tiers, caps, categories or other conditions, so the entry rate and reward asset matter too.
How do ether.fi Cash and Lava differ on custody?
ether.fi Cash Card uses a non-custodial account setup, while Lava Card uses a hybrid custody setup. Neither approach is always better, so choose the level of control you are comfortable with.
How current is this ether.fi Cash vs Lava comparison?
The latest information check for these two cards was October 6, 2026, using 65 official sources in total. Each full card review lists its own check date, sources and anything the provider has not clearly disclosed.