Coinbase and American Express Unite for Bitcoin-Themed Credit Card Launch

Coinbase is set to debut a groundbreaking American Express credit card in the U.S. this fall, a product deeply inspired by Bitcoin’s origin story. Unlike typical crypto cards, this new Coinbase One Amex card fuses financial utility with crypto symbolism — appealing directly to Bitcoin believers.

The card’s design features data from Bitcoin’s Genesis Block, the first ever created by Satoshi Nakamoto on January 3, 2009. Etched with hexadecimal code from that block, the design pays homage to Bitcoin’s creation moment — when Nakamoto embedded a headline from The Times: “Chancellor on brink of second bailout for banks.” This message, criticizing centralized financial systems, has since become a cornerstone of Bitcoin’s anti-establishment ethos.

Even the name “Coinbase” connects to Bitcoin’s core — referring to the coinbase transaction that introduces new bitcoin into circulation. Through this collaboration, Coinbase and American Express are offering more than just another crypto reward card; they’re providing a symbolic link to Bitcoin’s decentralized ideals.

The Coinbase One Amex card will be available to Coinbase One subscribers and offers up to 4% cashback in bitcoin. Users can repay balances via linked bank accounts or crypto holdings and enjoy American Express perks such as exclusive offers and no foreign transaction fees. Coinbase emphasizes that bitcoin rewards won’t appear on 1099 tax forms unless sold later.

While competitors like Gemini offer multi-asset crypto cards, Coinbase’s approach focuses on identity and ideology rather than convenience. It targets Bitcoin purists who see digital currency not just as an investment, but as a movement toward financial freedom and independence. By combining design, philosophy, and function, Coinbase is positioning its new Amex card as the ultimate tribute to Bitcoin’s legacy — and an emblem of the crypto revolution.