Uphold Review 2026: Features, Trading Fees, and More

Uphold gives you an Anything-to-Anything trading setup, so you can swap between crypto, fiat currencies, and precious metals in one place. That matters because it reduces the steps you take when you move value across markets. We see Uphold positioned as a multi-asset exchange that keeps the workflow simple for first-time users, while still supporting more active trading behavior. Treat the experience as two layers. You get a straightforward interface for basic buys and swaps. You also get tools that support staking and automated activity, if you want more structure.

This Uphold review also focuses on transparency and security, because those two themes shape your risk in ways fees do not. But when Uphold talks about a 100% reserve model, we treat it as a central claim you should check against the platform’s own disclosures. And if your goal is a diversified portfolio that includes more than digital coins, Uphold’s mix of assets and in-app features can fit that use case.

Uphold trading platform review: Our verdict

Here we have a versatile cryptocurrency trading platform that doubles as a trading app for commodities and fiat currencies. Its standout features are cross-trading capabilities, the support for three crypto wallets, and functions like crypto staking and a USD interest account.

Security is taken seriously, and the company is transparent about its assets and liabilities. It’s important to note that Uphold has access to liquidity from 30+ exchanges, meaning your orders will get executed with the least amount of slippage. Despite the occasional location-based limitations, Uphold still has much to offer users across the globe. It’s designed for both beginner and advanced traders and includes separate accounts for businesses, making it worthwhile for a diverse user base. 

What is Uphold, and how does it work?

Uphold is a multi-asset trading platform trusted by 10+ million users that primarily focuses on cryptocurrencies. It enables individuals and businesses to trade various cryptos, commodities, and fiat currencies. 

Although focused on the UK, US, and EU markets, Uphold operates in over 150 countries. It provides different services based on location, like offering a proprietary debit card to UK users, crypto staking in numerous regions, and even interest for US users with USD in their balance. Besides commodities and fiat currencies, Uphold used to hold US equities and ETFs but no longer supports this form of trading.

Users can store their assets safely on site, while Uphold also offers the Vault, a proprietary self-custody wallet. There’s also the relatively new Web3 wallet called UpHODL, which is accessible to users from most jurisdictions and offers self-custody. One of the key aspects of Uphold is investing in emerging tokens, as the platform focuses on adding new and untested tokens that might yield significant returns to investors willing to take the risk. 

Another critical aspect this Uphold review finds is the fact that all assets are 100% reserved. The platform even includes a dedicated UpHODL page showing exactly how it does that and what assets and obligations it currently holds. The numbers are updated constantly, which is a level of transparency not often seen on similar platforms.

Uphold reinstated staking in the UK

Uphold reinstated staking in the UK in February 2025 following an amendment to staking policies in the United Kingdom (the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000), meaning staking is available in the U.S., with dedicated staking pages for the U.S. and U.K a critical feature that allows investors to earn a passive yield on their digital assets.

Cryptocurrencies you can trade on Uphold

Uphold supports the trade of more than 300 cryptocurrencies. The supported coins include Bitcoin, most major altcoins, various stablecoins, and even emerging tokens. Official Trump was recently added to the platform. The exchange also offers some less-known cryptocurrencies as it aims to be the place for discovering new tokens with potential. If this interests you, here’s our take on the best crypto to watch and consider at the moment. If you see one or more of these on Uphold, consider investing a sum you’re comfortable with. 

Other assets Uphold covers

Uphold also supports the trade of around 20 fiat currencies, predominantly those used in more than one country and a couple of commodities. The best part is that you’re not limited to trading two of the same asset types. You’re free to trade Ethereum for gold or CHF for XRP.

Fiat currencies

The 20 or so fiat currencies you can trade include all the major denominations used worldwide, like the Euro, Swiss Franc, and Pound Sterling. You can also trade the Yuan, Yen, Swedish Krona, Polish Zloty, Israeli Shekel, Mexican Peso, and several others. 

Commodities

The situation might change in the future, but Uphold currently supports trading gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. Gold is the favorite of many investors. Uphold does not offer leveraged trading.

Fees and commissions on Uphold

Uphold follows a straightforward fee structure and is highly transparent about the fees you’ll need to pay. It doesn’t levy commissions, but it charges spreads, and these are, unfortunately, slightly higher than on top-rated unregulated global crypto platforms – though in line with other regulated crypto exchanges.

This Uphold review also notes that fees are even higher on relatively unknown and newer tokens. For altcoins and commodities, spreads range from 1.9% to 2.95%, while stablecoins and major market assets typically carry a spread of only 0.25%. 

If the conditions require a spread above 4%, the Uphold app will notify you to ensure you’re ready to move forward. Other than that, the use of the Uphold Vault comes with a monthly fee of $4.99 after the trial period. Uphold also charges fees on some deposit and withdrawal options, and the numbers vary between countries. Here’s a breakdown of payment fees for US users:

Bear in mind that Uphold prices trades using a spread that varies by asset type and market conditions. Smaller-transaction minimum fees and thresholds can differ on trade type and order flow, so we link to Uphold’s current fee disclosures and limit order documentation.

Uphold US Debit Card relaunch

Uphold has brought back its US debit card, so you can spend crypto, stablecoins and regular dollars from your Uphold account and earn XRP rewards on each purchase. The company paused its earlier US card program in March 2023 and relaunched it in October 2025 with a stronger focus on XRP rewards within the Uphold app. You now use the Uphold debit card anywhere Visa is accepted in the US, including online, in stores and through Apple Pay and Google Pay, while the app spends from a balance of over 300 supported assets in the background.

For rewards, you choose between the Essential card, which has no annual fee and pays up to 4% back in XRP, and the Elite card, which costs $99.99 per year yet pays up to 6% back in XRP and does not charge ATM or foreign transaction fees. Introductory rewards applied to cardholders who signed up before January 1, 2026 for the first 90 days. After that period, and for new signups from January 1, 2026, reward rates follow the standard schedule set out in Uphold’s Card Rewards Terms.

In that case, Uphold says you can get these headline rates for the first 90 days after activation, then add up to 4% extra XRP on qualifying paycheck deposits when you turn on direct deposit, for a stated maximum of 10% back in XRP during the launch offer. You can then use our breakdown of the best crypto credit cards to decide how a crypto debit card that pays XRP on both purchases and paydays fits into your daily use of digital assets.

How user-friendly is Uphold?

Uphold is a user-friendly platform that both beginners and experienced traders can use. It sports a sleek and intuitive interface and relatively smooth onboarding. The sign-up process can be lengthy in jurisdictions with stricter laws, but Uphold still makes it as easy as possible by offering clear instructions and a responsive platform. 

The KYC is also simple and largely automated, with most users getting approved in only a few minutes. It’s a necessary process on regulated crypto exchanges, so it’s a relief that it doesn’t last too long. If you want to avoid KYC altogether, your only option is decentralized exchanges. Here’s a list of the biggest decentralized exchanges on the market. 

Depositing is straightforward, and the site processes transactions instantly in most cases, except for options like wire transfers, which can take a few days to clear. Once you start trading, you’ll notice that all assets provide the necessary info, like a simple line chart that shows recent price movements. There are additional stats like market cap and 24-hour trading volume, but that’s about it. The good news is that Uphold offers many educational resources that can be very useful to beginners, and it even offers courses through the Uphold Academy. Uphold reviews from users often praise these learning opportunities. 

Uphold mobile app user experience

Uphold’s mobile app keeps things simple for you on both iOS and Android. There’s value in that you can manage crypto, national currencies, and precious metals inside one wallet, with official app store descriptions listing hundreds of coins, around 27 fiat currencies, and a small group of metals. And independent reviews describe this mobile interface as clean and intuitive for new users, with one detailed test mirroring the desktop experience simplifying flows such as asset swaps, price alerts, and recurring buys.

When using Uphold’s app, beginner tutorials show clear on-screen steps for starting transactions, choosing what you want to buy, selecting a payment method, and entering the amount. And reviews and comparison sites also report average ratings around 4.6 stars on the iOS App Store and 4.7 stars on Google Play from tens of thousands of users, and they describe the Uphold app as aimed mainly at beginners and long-term investors because it lacks advanced charting and complex order types.

Uphold desktop user experience

On desktop, you use Uphold through a web browser rather than a separate program, so you log in on the same site where you first create your account. Guides describe a simple login flow where you visit the Uphold website then confirm the sign-in with two-factor prompts or a QR code approval from your mobile app. And desktop-focused reviews say this platform is suitable for first-time crypto investors, with clear steps for depositing money and placing basic buy or sell orders even if you have no previous trading background.

These walkthroughs and exchange reviews highlight simple links for funding, trading, and checking account activity, and they mention that Uphold’s desktop layout focuses on core tasks rather than on advanced charting, margin trading, or complex order types. And reviewers also point out that the desktop site and the mobile apps share a similar look and structure, with one 2025 test stating that the app “mirrors the desktop experience” while simplifying a few flows for asset swaps, price alerts, and recurring buys.

Uphold card

The Uphold card is a debit card you can connect to your Uphold wallet. Its main benefits are 0% foreign transaction fees and very low FX rates. There’s no setup cost, and you don’t have to pay any annual fees. 

The card works like a regular debit card, meaning you can pay with it at various locations and withdraw crypto as cash from any ATM that accepts Mastercard. What’s more, you can even add it to your mobile wallet through Google or Apple Pay. The Uphold Card is available to customers who live in the U.S. and the U.K., with region-based exclusions listed by Uphold. As for fees, there’s a £2.50 fee for ATM withdrawals in the UK and a £3.50 fee for withdrawals from foreign ATMs.

Cashback on the Uphold card

In the U.K., you earn 1% cashback in GBP on card purchases funded by your GBP balance. Purchases funded by crypto or other non-GBP balances don’t earn rewards.

It’s paid in GBP monthly, usually within the first 15 days of the subsequent month. You can see how much you’ve accrued within the Uphold app. Bear in mind that some types of purchases won’t count toward the cashback, and you can view the list of excluded transactions on the Uphold website. 

Trading tools and trading resources on Uphold

Despite not offering the sophisticated trading features top exchanges are known for, like advanced charts, Uphold includes a few conveniences that many traders will find valuable. Before covering the features and trading resources, it’s worth noting that Uphold supports several complex and advanced order types, so you’re not limited to merely buying and selling assets manually. Here’s what’s available:

• Limit order — Create a trade and set the price at which you want to buy or sell that asset. The platform will execute the trade automatically only when the price is met. 
• Take profit order — The order lets you automatically sell an asset at a specific price point to secure profits without following the market.
• Trailing stop order — Limit your losses and lock in gains by selling an asset automatically with this order when its price falls by a specific amount or percentage. 
• Repeat transaction — A simple, repeatable trade you can set to occur daily, weekly, monthly, or over another custom period that will help you dollar-cost average into positions.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s cover the main features Uphold offers. 

Uphold Vault

The Uphold Vault is the brand’s self-custody crypto wallet made primarily for BTC and XRP holders. It supports instant connection to the Uphold trading platform. You will keep the keys to your assets, thus having complete control over your crypto, and even if you lose a key, Uphold offers a secure key-replacement service. 

Trial availability depends on location, and Uphold notes the 30-day free trial is currently unavailable in the U.K. There’s a 30-day free trial. Still, afterward, you need to pay $4.99 per month or $49.99 annually.  Supported assets include BTC, XRP, and HBAR, with additional support for select XRPL tokens.

UpHODL Web3 wallet

Uphold offers another wallet for Web3 fans, aptly named UpHODL. It’s a multichain, self-custody crypto wallet that stores BTC, altcoins, ERC-20 tokens, and even NFTs. 

UpHODL also comes with the option to connect to DeFi apps through the WalletConnect feature and lets users purchase crypto directly. It’s a mobile wallet that is available as an app for iOS and Android devices. 

USD interest account

US Uphold users enjoy an added benefit in the form of interest on their USD balance as long as they retain at least $1 in the interest account. Uphold’s USD Interest Account currently advertises up to 4.0% APY on USD balances of $10 or more (2% below $10). Eligibility does depend on your state and other criteria though.

You need to move the funds to the interest account for this to work. You can have up to $2,500,000 ($250,000 per depositor, per insured bank for each account) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance for deposits in your Atomic Brokerage account when those deposits are swept to all ten Program Banks in the Atomic Cash Sweep Program.

Funds held in your Atomic Brokerage account are not FDIC-insured. Funds held in your Atomic Brokerage account solely for the purpose of accessing the Cash Sweep are also not protected by SIPC.

Disclaimer: The USD Interest Account is a brokerage account offered by Atomic Brokerage LLC, which is a member of FINRA/SIPC. This account is used to participate in the Atomic Brokerage Cash Sweep Program. Cash deposited in the account solely for the purpose of accessing the Cash Sweep Program is not protected by SIPC. Neither Atomic Brokerage nor any of its affiliates is a bank.

Business account

If you own a business, Uphold also covers you with its special Uphold Business Account. The account provides easy access to international users, enabling cross-border payments without the high costs usually associated with them. You can also send money securely to employees and suppliers while spending very little on currency conversion. 

Uphold crypto staking yields

Uphold offers attractive yields on various cryptocurrencies. While yields on Bitcoin are unavailable, the exchange does support many cryptos for staking. Below are the top yields Uphold offers to its clients above 10% APY. Staking rewards start accruing when you stake the coins paid every Thursday. However, remember that you can’t unstake your coins immediately; the timeframe depends on the altcoin you’re staking. 

Cryptocurrency	Yield (APY)
Cosmos (ATOM)	~15.8%
Polkadot (DOT)	~10.6%
Casper (CSPR)	~10.9%
Kusama (KSM)	~6.95%

Uphold Academy

Uphold Academy gives you a beginner course that explains crypto basics in short, timed lessons. And you start with simple ideas like what cryptocurrency is and how Bitcoin works before you buy. Each lesson lists an estimated length, so you can learn in five minutes and pause. But you should treat it as groundwork, then practice small steps with your own notes.

Uphold Academy also helps you decode crypto terms, since jargon can slow your first decisions. And Uphold’s Cryptionary glossary defines common words so you can read prompts, charts, and policies with less stress. But keep learning practical: note what a wallet is, then map that to deposits and withdrawals. When you study staking later, focus on lockups and payout timing, since those details shape outcomes.

Uphold licensing and security

Uphold comes with state-of-the-art security measures that align with what most reputable crypto exchanges offer. Its track record is good, and it offers a bug bounty program where users can earn rewards for spotting bugs and issues with the platform. The brand claims that over 90% of user funds are kept in cold storage for extra security. 

As this Uphold review has already discussed , Uphold publishes its assets and liabilities every 30 seconds, and, from what we’ve seen, liabilities are always fully covered by the company’s assets. Moreover, Uphold is adequately regulated in the countries in which it operates. It holds licenses from the US FinCen, the UK’s FCA, and Canada’s Fintrac. 

Customer support on Uphold

There’s no sugarcoating it — customer service is not one of Uphold’s strong suits. Users often wait long to receive help, and complaints are handled slowly. However, the brand does offer live chat support through the Uphold app. You can also request help via an online form or contact the agents via X (formerly Twitter). 

How to start using Uphold?

Bottom line

This Uphold review finds that while it might not be on the level of other top crypto exchanges, but its excellent coin coverage and the fact that you can also trade commodities and fiat currencies make it a unique player on the market. It’s one of the few to offer cross-asset trading. It also provides three distinct wallet services and other features like staking and USD interest payouts. If you’re willing to give it a shot, you’re unlikely to be put off by its few downsides, and you’re bound to appreciate the many benefits this trading platform brings. 

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