Uphold
Multi-asset: crypto, metals, FX.
- Who holds it
- A licensed crypto-asset custodian holds the assets on your behalf — FinCEN MSB + state money-transmitter licenses (US); FCA-registered cryptoasset firm (UK).
- The ledger
- The custodian’s books, reconciled against on-chain balances.
- If it fails
- Recovery hinges on the custodian’s solvency and how cleanly client assets are segregated.
Derived from Uphold’s regulation type and custody — a class of protection, not a guarantee. Limits and eligibility vary by scheme, balance and jurisdiction; confirm before you rely on it. What happens if a neobank shuts down →
The facts
| Category | hybrid |
| HQ | New York, US |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Custody | Custodial |
| Regulation type | VASP / MSB / crypto licenses |
| License detail | FinCEN MSB + state money-transmitter licenses (US); FCA-registered cryptoasset firm (UK) |
| Card | Visa/MC · Debit |
| Cashback | Up to 2% |
| Yield | Staking |
| Stablecoins | Yes |
| KYC | Yes |
| Active regions | North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, MENA, Asia, Oceania |
| Countries | United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina |
| Founders | Halsey Minor (CNET founder) |
Verified links: official site ↗ · terms ↗ · privacy ↗ · @UpholdInc ↗
Common questions about Uphold
What is Uphold?
Uphold is a fiat-and-crypto neobank, headquartered in New York, US and founded in 2015. Your money is held custodially, so Uphold or its partner bank holds the balance and you hold a claim on it. It holds VASP / MSB / crypto licenses (FinCEN MSB + state money-transmitter licenses (US); FCA-registered cryptoasset firm (UK)).
Does Uphold have a card, and where can you use it?
It issues a Visa and Mastercard debit card. It is available in 6 countries, across all 7 world regions tracked here.
Does Uphold require KYC?
Yes. Uphold requires identity verification (KYC) to open an account, as a vasp / msb / crypto licenses.
What does Uphold cost?
From the verified fields: cashback Up to 2%; yield Staking. Cashback and yield are "up to" figures that change constantly and often depend on a paid plan — confirm current terms with Uphold before relying on them.
Peers
Revolut · Cash App · Mercado Pago · Mogo · Venmo · Robinhood
Uphold appears in
Neobanks operating under crypto and money-transmitter licenses (25) · Neobanks available in North America (126) · Neobanks available in Europe (144) · Neobanks available in Asia (132) · Neobanks available in Oceania (72) · Neobanks available in Latin America (113) · Neobanks available in Africa (92) · Neobanks available in MENA (85) · Neobanks that issue a Visa card (182) · Neobanks that issue a Mastercard (150) · Neobanks in United States (66)
Figures compiled from public sources, for comparison only — not financial advice. "Up to" rates change constantly; always confirm with the issuer. Spotted an error? Suggest a fix.