Uphold review

Updated October 12, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team

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Our verdict

Uphold balances broad crypto choice against the confusion that choice can bring by keeping moves to one action between supported assets. It is a digital asset platform for buying, selling and staking that suits beginners who value direct switches and openly published reserves.

Key facts

Best for
Beginners wanting simple swaps between supported digital assets
Currency conversion fee
0.3% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Perks
Staking on more than 20 digital assets, instant stake and unstake, Radical transparency: assets and liabilities published every 30 seconds, SOC 2 Type II attestation, ISO/IEC 27001 and PCI DSS certifications, Anything-to-Anything trading across crypto, equities, precious metals and fiat (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
Uphold Digital Assets Europe, Unipessoal, Lda. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Founded
2015 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Phone, Help-centre (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Features
Crypto, Virtual card, Travel
Official website
uphold.com

Debit cards

Monthly fee
$0 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Currency conversion fee
0.3% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Free ATM withdrawals
$0 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Card type
Debit (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Cashback rate
2% (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Card network
Visa (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Custody
Custodial (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Legal entity
Uphold Digital Assets Europe, Unipessoal, Lda. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Headquarters
United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Founded
2015 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Support channels
Phone, Help-centre (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Features
Crypto, Virtual card, Travel

Apps and profiles

Get the app
App Store

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Supports instant stake and unstake across more than 20 digital assets
  • Allows direct one-step switches between any supported assets
  • Publishes assets and liabilities every 30 seconds for inspection
  • Connects to many trading venues to support wide crypto choice

Cons

  • Focus stays on crypto assets, giving little to traditional savers
  • Early token discovery may feel uncertain for cautious newcomers
  • Broad asset range can overwhelm people seeking simple options
Uphold

Ready to try Uphold?

Who it suits

  • Beginners wanting direct exchanges between supported crypto assets
  • Holders wanting flexible staking with quick release
  • Users valuing openly published asset figures

Who should look elsewhere

  • Traditional savers wanting everyday banking services
  • Cautious newcomers wary of early token choices

Where Uphold is available

Licence in Portugal
Bank of Portugal, checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
NMLS (Uphold HQ Inc.) (1269875), checked September 26, 2026
Licence in United States
Texas Department of Banking (3164), checked September 26, 2026

Frequently asked questions

What can you trade on Uphold?+

Uphold lets you buy and sell cryptocurrency and move directly between supported assets. You can switch from one asset to another in a single action. Bitcoin to XRP is given as an everyday example.

Which staking choices does Uphold provide?+

Staking lets you put eligible digital assets to work through the platform. Uphold supports instant stake and unstake across more than 20 digital assets. The process is designed to stay flexible for beginners.

How does Uphold show customer assets?+

Uphold follows a transparency model that publishes assets and liabilities every 30 seconds. The figures appear openly for anyone to inspect. Customer assets are stated as never loaned out.

Who is behind Uphold?+

Uphold has pursued radical transparency in crypto since 2014. Millions of customers are said to place confidence in the platform. Its history centres on open reserves and broad asset access.

What currency conversion fee does Uphold charge?+

The currency conversion fee at Uphold is 0.3%. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Which company operates Uphold?+

Uphold is operated by Uphold Digital Assets Europe, Unipessoal, Lda.. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Where is Uphold based?+

Uphold is based in United States. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

When was Uphold founded?+

Uphold was founded in 2015. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

How can I contact Uphold support?+

Uphold offers support through Phone, Help-centre. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)

Sources

  • uphold.com checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Legal entity, Perks, Licences

    “Uphold Digital Assets Europe, Unipessoal, Lda., registered with the Commercial Registry Office under the sole number 516559583”

  • uphold.com checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Custody

    “We never loan out customer assets - and we don't just say it, we prove it.”

  • uphold.com/en-eu/get-started/service-fees checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Currency conversion fee

    “Major Market FX 0.3%”

  • uphold.com/en-eu/legal/regulators-for-residents-of-united... checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Support channels

    “If your issue is unresolved by Uphold HQ, Inc. +1 (888) 821-0966, please submit formal complaints”

  • uphold.com/en-eu/resources/about checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Founded

    “Since our launch in 2015, Uphold has powered over US $40 billion in transactions.”

  • uphold.com/en-us/debit-card checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Free ATM withdrawals, Card type, Cashback rate, Features, Monthly fee, Card network

    “ATM Withdrawal Fee ... Uphold Elite Card $0 / Uphold Essential Card $2.95”

  • uphold.com/en-us/legal/uphold-referral-program-terms checked September 26, 2026

    Backs: Headquarters

    “Uphold HQ Inc. NMLS ID No. 1269875, Registered Office: 90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 412, San Francisco, California 94105.”

Compiled from 7 source pages, checked October 13, 2026. We did not open an account.

Not confirmed yet: Annual fee, APR, Rewards type.

Uphold

Uphold

Beginners wanting simple swaps between supported digital assets

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