Publicly listed crypto exchange Gemini has officially launched a new Zcash-branded credit card, allowing users to earn cashback rewards in the ZEC token. The move expands Gemini’s crypto card lineup following earlier Bitcoin, Solana, and XRP editions.
The Gemini Credit Card Zcash Edition is built around the privacy-first philosophy that defines Zcash. Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss highlighted this focus in a post on X, stating: “Privacy is normal and a precondition to your freedom and self-sovereignty.” According to him, users can now begin their “privacy journey” through the new Zcash version of the Gemini Credit Card.
In terms of rewards, cardholders can choose to receive cashback in more than 50 supported crypto assets, with ZEC ranking among the top ten most selected reward options. Gemini data shows that users who opted to receive and hold ZEC rewards for at least one year saw their holdings appreciate by more than 900%, underlining the appeal of combining everyday spending with long-term crypto accumulation.
Like other Gemini cards, the Zcash Edition charges no annual fee and lets users earn up to 4% back in automatic crypto rewards on eligible purchases. Rewards are deposited directly into users’ Gemini accounts, making it easy to accumulate digital assets through daily transactions.
Strategically, Gemini is also expanding its role in payments infrastructure. In November, the company, together with WebBank, Ripple, and MasterCard, began exploring the use of Ripple’s dollar-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, to settle fiat credit card transactions. Around the same time, the Winklevoss twins led a funding round for a company focused on building a Zcash-based digital asset treasury.
On the corporate side, Gemini previously completed its public offering at $28 per share, quickly jumping above $37 and reaching an estimated valuation of $4.4 billion. Since then, the stock has steadily declined, falling more than 75% from its peak and recently trading near $9. Still, the company received a boost earlier this week when the SEC dropped its long-running civil enforcement action related to Gemini’s Earn program, easing regulatory pressure on the firm.
In the market, ZEC has slipped about 6% over the past 24 hours to around $374. Despite the short-term pullback, the token is still up more than 750% over the past year, even as recent weeks have seen volatility following internal turmoil that led some protocol developers to leave and form a new company.
Gemini’s launch of a Zcash-branded card reflects the growing trend of merging traditional finance with crypto payments, while positioning privacy as a key differentiator in digital asset adoption.
