The Crypto.com Business Model – How Does Crypto.com Make Money?

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Crypto.com has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential players in the cryptocurrency and fintech space. With over 10 million users worldwide, the platform offers a comprehensive ecosystem that blends digital asset trading, financial services, and real-world utility through its innovative products. But how exactly does Crypto.com generate revenue? This deep dive explores the company’s multifaceted business model, uncovering the key income streams that power its growth.

What Is Crypto.com?

Crypto.com is a leading centralized cryptocurrency exchange and financial technology (FinTech) platform that enables users to buy, sell, and trade dozens of cryptocurrencies. At the heart of its ecosystem lies CRO, its native utility token, which plays a crucial role in unlocking benefits across the platform.

Users can stake CRO to access tiered rewards, including reduced fees, cashback on purchases, and premium financial services. One of Crypto.com’s standout offerings is its crypto-backed debit card, which allows users to spend digital assets seamlessly in everyday transactions while earning rewards — a powerful bridge between crypto and traditional finance.

Beyond payments, the platform supports a wide range of services:

The entire infrastructure runs on the Crypto.org EVM Chain, a public blockchain that empowers developers to build new applications and expand the ecosystem. This open architecture encourages innovation and strengthens network effects.

Businesses also benefit from Crypto.com’s infrastructure through its merchant payment solutions, enabling them to accept over 30 different cryptocurrencies. The platform is accessible via web and mobile apps (iOS and Android), ensuring broad user reach.

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Company Origins and Evolution

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Singapore, Crypto.com was launched by a team of entrepreneurs: Kris Marszalek, Rafael Melo, Bobby Bao, and Gary Or. Marszalek, the most experienced among them, had previously founded successful ventures in e-commerce and consumer electronics, including Starline Polska and BeeCrazy.hk — the latter acquired for $21 million.

After his tenure at Ensogo (formerly iBuy Group), which ended amid operational collapse in 2016, Marszalek pivoted quickly. By May 2017, he and his co-founders unveiled Monaco, a project aimed at launching a Visa-powered crypto debit card using its native MCO token.

To fund development, Monaco conducted an Initial Coin Offering (ICO), raising $26.7 million — one of the largest at the time. Despite early hype and listings on major exchanges like Binance, the project faced credibility issues when Bloomberg exposed false claims about a Visa partnership.

However, regulatory approval from Singapore in November 2017 validated the project’s legitimacy. Momentum built further when, in July 2018, Monaco acquired the coveted Crypto.com domain for a reported $12 million — triggering a full rebrand.

By October 2018, the first debit cards were shipped in Singapore, followed by U.S. regulatory approval weeks later. The launch of the CRO token and proprietary blockchain marked a strategic shift toward building a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Core Revenue Streams

Crypto.com monetizes its platform through multiple diversified channels. These income sources not only ensure sustainability but also reinforce user engagement across services.

Interchange Fees from Debit Cards

The debit card program is central to Crypto.com’s revenue engine. Users stake CRO to qualify for different card tiers (Ruby Steel to Obsidian Black), each offering escalating perks like cashback (up to 8%), subscription rebates (Netflix, Spotify), airport lounge access, and travel discounts.

When users make purchases, merchants pay interchange fees — typically around 1% — which are shared between Visa and Crypto.com. Additional income comes from:

These fees scale with card tier and usage volume, making high-tier users especially valuable.

Beyond direct revenue, the card acts as a cross-selling tool, encouraging users to maintain larger balances and explore other services like trading or NFTs.

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Trading Fees on the Exchange

Crypto.com operates a robust centralized exchange supporting spot trading, futures, options, and margin trading with up to 50x leverage.

It uses a maker-taker fee model:

Standard fees start at 0.4% but decrease based on:

This incentivizes long-term commitment and active participation. Withdrawal fees also apply depending on network and asset type, adding another layer of monetization.

Interest Income from Lending Services

The platform offers collateralized loans using assets like BTC, ETH, or CRO. Borrowers receive stablecoins such as USDC, USDT, or PAX.

Crypto.com earns revenue through interest charged on loans, with rates influenced by:

This service appeals to traders needing liquidity without selling holdings — a common need in volatile markets.

NFT Marketplace Fees

Launched in March 2021 to capitalize on booming NFT demand, Crypto.com’s marketplace runs on its own blockchain. It charges:

NFTs can be bought via fixed price or auction, using CRO. While smaller than OpenSea in volume, this vertical diversifies revenue and attracts creative communities.

Strategic Investments via Crypto.com Capital

In March 2021, Crypto.com launched a **$200 million investment fund** — **Crypto.com Capital** — targeting early-stage blockchain startups (seed to Series A). Typical investments range from $100K to $10M.

Revenue is generated when portfolio companies:

Like Binance or Coinbase, this strategy yields both financial returns and strategic insights. It also strengthens the broader crypto ecosystem — indirectly boosting adoption of Crypto.com’s own services.

Marketing & Expansion Strategy

Aggressive branding has fueled rapid user acquisition:

These efforts enhance brand visibility and trust — critical in a competitive, trust-sensitive industry.

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Funding, Valuation & Financials

Crypto.com raised $26.7 million during its 2017 ICO. As a privately held company, it does not disclose revenue or valuation publicly. However, its scale — over 10 million users and thousands of employees — suggests substantial valuation growth since inception.

Future liquidity events like an IPO could reveal deeper financial insights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does Crypto.com have a native token?
A: Yes, CRO is Crypto.com’s utility token used for staking, fee discounts, rewards, and powering transactions across the ecosystem.

Q: How does staking CRO benefit users?
A: Staking unlocks higher card tiers with better cashback rates, lower trading fees, subscription perks, and exclusive features.

Q: Is Crypto.com regulated?
A: Yes. It holds licenses globally, including an Australian Financial Services License (ASFL) and approvals in Singapore and the U.S.

Q: Can businesses accept crypto payments via Crypto.com?
A: Yes. Merchants can integrate its payment gateway to accept over 30 cryptocurrencies.

Q: What makes Crypto.com different from other exchanges?
A: Its integration of real-world spending (via debit cards), strong rewards program, NFT marketplace, and proprietary blockchain set it apart.

Q: Is my money safe on Crypto.com?
A: The platform employs cold storage, insurance funds, and regulatory compliance measures to protect user assets — though all crypto investments carry inherent risk.

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