- Curve, a fintech company focused on aggregating credit and debit cards into one digital location, has launched bitcoin rewards for purchases.
- Curve allows users to “load” existing credit and debit cards with rewards programs on the Curve app, allowing users to double the rewards earned.
- Users will be able to earn and view their bitcoin and other cryptocurrency rewards and balances through the app.
Curve, a fintech company specializing in accessibility by blending a host of financial services into a single mobile app and digital card, has announced a new bitcoin rewards program at Bitcoin 2023.
Through the program, Curve users can load an already existing credit or debit card and connect it to their Curve card. Being connected to an already existing rewards card allows Curve users to “double up” rewards and receive bitcoins on top of their rewards.
“Now not only can customers take control of their money and earn money through Curve, but we’re empowering them by also offering cryptocurrency rewards in the most accessible way possible,” said CEO Shachar Bialick said in a press release sent to bitcoin magazine.
For example, suppose a Curve customer already has a BlockFi rewards card through Visa that offers 1.5% cash back in the form of bitcoin. If this card was digitally loaded onto a Curve card, the user could receive 3% cash back in bitcoins on qualifying purchases.
“We know that millions of people around the world already hold cryptocurrency but, for many, this remains a complete unknown,” Bialick said in the statement. “Curve has evolved to provide a pathway into the world of cryptocurrency for the ever-growing ‘crypto-curious market’.”
Already with a significant footprint in Europe, the Curve app recently launched in the US and users can join the waitlist to enjoy streamlining all their rewards cards into one seamless location. Customers will also be able to view their earned bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies in the app, and if customers want to spend their cryptocurrency, they will be able to use the Curve Cash digital wallet.
In an interview with bitcoin magazineboth CEO Shachar Bialick and Vice President for North America Amanda Orson pointed out that the project is still in its “rampage” phase, with plenty of room to walk and then run.
“We need to allow the masses easy access to the Bitcoin system,” Bialick said. “The way we attract them is to give them something they know.”
“It’s a lot cooler the more we go out,” added Orson.
Curve was also showcased at Bitcoin Conference 2023, highlighting what it envisions as a Layer 3 for bitcoin-based payments. If Layer 2 can be considered data transmission, then Layer 3 should be considered data aggregation in this model. This is where usable data relevant to the monetary system is combined and used in a central location to enable ease and accessibility for users.
In the case of Curve, this is achieved through the aggregation of cards and accounts that each user is able to use, bringing together all of their usable assets to ease the management burden. Balick focused on creating a Layer 3 when he addressed the conference crowd saying;
“We have fought hard over the past five years to gain access. And we won.
But what did they win? In order to get Layer 3, you need to integrate with each lLyer 2 reader to aggregate their data.
Curve allowing its users to connect all of their cards, including access to digital wallets and exchanges to spend bitcoin, builds its envisioned Layer 3 into what Balick called, “One card to rule them all.”
Bitcoin 2023 is part of the Bitcoin event series hosted by BTC Inc, the parent company of bitcoin magazine.