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← Embedded Finance Index 2026

Uphold

“Can a multi-asset crypto and fiat platform become the global on-chain infrastructure layer for consumer payments, lending, and investments across both developed and emerging markets?”

Founded2013
HQLarkspur, CA, USA
Latest roundBuyout/LBO
IndustryFintech / Crypto
The story

Founded in 2013 as Bitreserve, a Bitcoin reserve transparency project, Uphold rebranded and evolved into a multi-asset trading and payments platform covering crypto, fiat, stablecoins, and precious metals. The company has progressively added embedded finance features — a Visa debit card backed by Cross River Bank, staking rewards, and crypto-backed lending via partnership with Exa Labs/Exactly Protocol — repositioning itself as 'on-chain infrastructure' for payments, banking, and investments rather than a simple exchange.

Last 12 months
2025-03
2025-02
Product timeline
2013
Founded as Bitreserve, a blockchain-based reserve platform for digital currencies.· pivot
2015
Rebranded from Bitreserve to Uphold, expanding to multi-asset trading including fiat, crypto, precious metals, and equities.· pivot
2022
Launched Uphold Debit Card (Visa) in the US, issued by Cross River Bank, allowing users to spend crypto balances.· card
2025
Relaunched staking rewards for US customers on Ethereum, Solana, NEAR, and 16 other assets.· banking
2025
Announced partnership with Exactly Protocol (Exa Labs) to launch crypto-backed Instant Credit and the Exa Credit Card for Latin America and other markets.· lending
The stack
8 layers disclosed in Uphold’s embedded-finance stack
Payments / PSP
Checkout.com
Banking / BaaS
in the full report
Card issuing
in the full report
Card network
in the full report
Lending
in the full report
Open banking
in the full report
Sponsor bank
in the full report
Crypto
in the full report
Accounting gap: significant
13 more providers across 7 layers, with confidence-scored evidence and source URLs, are in the Embedded Finance Index report.

Uphold — frequently asked

What bank does Uphold use?

Uphold discloses Atomic, Cross River, LHV Bank Limited and LHV AS Pank (EE) as its banking providers, with Cross River Bank, N.A. as its sponsor bank, according to the Embedded Finance Index 2026.

Is Uphold a bank?

Uphold does not disclose a bank charter of its own; its banking services are provided through Cross River Bank, N.A..

Who is Uphold's payment processor?

Uphold processes payments through Checkout.com.

Who issues Uphold's cards?

Uphold's cards are issued through Optimus and Exa Labs SAS on the Visa network.

Who provides Uphold's lending?

Uphold's lending and capital products are provided by Exa Labs SAS.

Which open banking provider does Uphold use?

Uphold connects to bank accounts through Plaid.

Which crypto provider does Uphold use?

Uphold's crypto products run on Exa Labs SAS.

What is Uphold's embedded finance stack?

The Embedded Finance Index 2026 maps 8 layers in Uphold's stack: Payments / PSP (Checkout.com); Banking / BaaS (Atomic, Cross River, LHV Bank Limited and LHV AS Pank (EE)); Card issuing (Optimus and Exa Labs SAS); Card network (Visa); Lending (Exa Labs SAS, Instant Credit (crypto-backed loan, collateralized) and Exa Credit Card (crypto-backed BNPL-style revolving credit)); Open banking (Plaid); Sponsor bank (Cross River Bank, N.A.); Crypto (Exa Labs SAS).

Where is Uphold headquartered?

Uphold is founded in 2013 and headquartered in Larkspur, CA, USA.

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