Cashback: 5%, 3% and 1% are not interchangeable
The official rewards FAQ describes 5% at merchant partners, 3% for other eligible purchases by US-based users and 1% for those based outside the US. The partner directory uses “up to 5%” and makes each offer subject to dates, regions and eligible purchases. Read the individual offer before paying; do not apply 5% to every merchant or treat a non-US rate as confirmation you can obtain a card.
Rewards are BTC, not conventional points or miles. The merchant directory includes services such as Apple, Amazon and AI subscriptions, but an appearance in the directory does not establish that every purchase qualifies. Refunded or reversed transactions do not earn rewards and previously credited rewards are reversed.
When can you redeem rewards?
The partner page sets a minimum redemption of 100,000 sats, equal to 0.001 BTC. Accumulating a small reward is therefore different from being able to redeem it immediately. Rewards are generally credited after settlement within 24 hours, sometimes 1–3 days. Check the settled transaction and reward balance, not just the payment authorization.
BTC’s market value changes. Save the reward quantity, transaction date, conversion value and any reversal. This is an official-terms review, not a first-hand spending test or a promise of a fixed return.
Application and funding: check the app before sending money
Open Lava through the official site, then check the Card application, residence and identity requirements, applicable card agreement and approval status. The public availability FAQ describes international Visa use subject to approval; it does not establish approval for every country. Do not use a false address or fund a balance merely because the app can be downloaded.
The bank-transfer FAQ now lists deposits in USD, EUR and MXN and withdrawals to USD or EUR bank accounts, subject to eligible regions. Available methods appear when connecting the bank account. SWIFT is not supported. A Japanese yen deposit route is not established by this list. If considering stablecoins, verify the supported asset, network and receiving address first.
Fees, credit risk and the right Lava product
Lava advertises no annual fee and no card FX fee or spread. That does not mean bank transfers, ATM use, network transfers or borrowing are free: check the applicable fee table. If you use a Bitcoin-backed credit line to fund spending, examine interest, collateral requirements and liquidation risk separately from card rewards.
This guide concerns lava.xyz and Bitcoin rewards, not Malta’s similarly named loyalty programme or phone-display products. Before proceeding, keep the approval, fees, funding instructions, merchant offer and reward records. Tax treatment depends on jurisdiction; do not assume crypto rewards or later disposals are tax-free.
FAQ
Does international Visa acceptance mean I can apply anywhere?
No. Merchant acceptance and card-issuance eligibility are different. Check residence, identity requirements and approval in Lava’s Card application before funding.
Is every purchase rewarded at 5%?
No. Partner offers advertise up to 5% with their own conditions. The rewards FAQ lists 3% for other eligible US-based purchases and 1% for eligible non-US users.
What is the minimum reward redemption?
The official merchant-partner page checked on 2026-10-06 states 100,000 sats, or 0.001 BTC. A credited reward is not necessarily immediately redeemable.
Can a bank account fund Lava?
The official FAQ lists USD, EUR and MXN deposits for eligible regions, with available methods shown when connecting an account. This does not confirm support for a Japanese yen bank account.
Official sources
Information only, not investment or tax advice. Product terms can change.