Gemini Debuts Solana Credit Card With Auto-Staking: Up to 4% Back in SOL

Crypto exchange Gemini has rolled out a Solana-themed credit card that pays rewards in SOL and can auto-stake those rewards for additional yield—an unusual mash-up of traditional card perks with on-chain economics. The new edition of the Gemini Credit Card offers up to 4% back in SOL on certain categories and, for select partners, up to 10% back, while allowing customers to automatically stake rewards at a rate Gemini currently lists around 6.77%. The card charges no annual or foreign transaction fees and is a Mastercard World Elite product issued by WebBank, according to launch coverage.

What’s new?

Rewards cards tied to crypto aren’t new, but auto-staking moves the concept beyond simple “cashback in coins.” In practice, cardholders can earn SOL on everyday purchases and have those rewards immediately staked on Gemini—turning routine spend into network participation with an added yield layer. Industry reports peg Gemini’s current SOL staking yield near 6.77%, turning the card into a hybrid between a loyalty program and a staking app. 

The Solana angle matters because the network has become one of crypto’s busiest ecosystems for payments and DeFi, with rapid block times and a passionate developer and user base. Gemini is clearly aiming at that community: it’s a Solana-branded metal card, and the exchange pitches it as a way to “show support for the network” while squeezing extra utility from daily spending. Launch coverage cites category rewards (such as gas, EV charging, and rideshare) up to 4% back, plus partner promotions up to 10%, with flexible crypto-rewards options inside Gemini’s app. 

The fine print: fees, networks, and custody

Unlike many travel cards, Gemini’s Solana edition has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and it slots into Mastercard’s World Elite perks stack (think purchase protections and travel benefits), with WebBank as the issuer—mirroring the structure of Gemini’s existing card line. These details matter for mainstream adoption: if costs stay low and benefits are familiar, crypto-native rewards have a better shot at crossing over.

On the crypto side, auto-staking happens at Gemini, not in a self-custody wallet. That’s convenient—one tap and done—but it also means yield, lockups, and any slashing or downtime risks are mediated by the exchange’s infrastructure and policies. As ever, users should weigh simplicity against self-custody control.

Why launch this now?

Timing is part of the story. Gemini went public in September at $28 a share, a deal that valued the company at roughly $3.3 billion and raised about $425 million—fuel for product pushes that deepen consumer engagement. A Solana-edition card, following the XRP Edition announced in August, helps Gemini pitch itself as the default crypto rewards shop—whichever network fandom you belong to.

The strategy is straightforward: lure spenders with familiar card economics, let them exchange crypto within the app, and keep them inside Gemini’s ecosystem—custody, staking, and swapping included. If the auto-stake experience is smooth and yields remain competitive, the card could become a sticky on-ramp for new SOL holders.

Is it better than other crypto cards?

Compared with generic “earn BTC or ETH” cards, a network-specific product can rally a community and streamline the staking rewards pitch. The upside is focus: Solana users get SOL-denominated upside plus staking yield without extra steps. The trade-off is concentration risk (your perks live and die with one chain’s economics), and you’re tied to Gemini’s staking program terms. For points-and-miles pros, the calculus is familiar: evaluate the earn rate (up to 4% SOL, occasionally 10% with partners), weigh it against traditional cash-back or airline multipliers, and remember that crypto rewards can rise or fall with token prices. 

Caveats and consumer lessons

A few grounded reminders:

• Yields move. Staking rates aren’t fixed; they change with validator performance and network dynamics. Today’s ~6.77% can drift.
• Price risk. Earning in SOL means your rewards can appreciate—or drop—versus USD. That’s a feature for believers, a bug for conservative spenders.
• Custodial staking. Convenience comes with reliance on Gemini’s systems; read the staking terms before opting in.
• Category math matters. “Up to 4%” and “up to 10% with partners” are ceiling numbers. Real-world value depends on your spend mix and whether you hit those categories.

Conclusion

Gemini’s Solana credit card is a clever, consumer-friendly bridge between card rewards and on-chain staking. For Solana fans, the pitch is simple: earn SOL on everyday spend, auto-stake it for yield, and keep fees out of the way. For the broader market, it’s a test of whether mainstream cardholders will embrace crypto rewards that do more than sit in a wallet. The features—up to 4% back, partner promos up to 10%, no annual fee, Mastercard World Elite perks, WebBank issuance, and ~6.77% staking—are compelling on paper. The next few months will show whether those numbers, and Solana’s momentum, can turn a themed card into real-world share in the crowded payments game.