MOTMX and Uphold Target Banks With New Crypto Rewards-as-a-Service

📊 Key Data
  • 30-day pilot launch: Financial institutions can integrate GetC and launch pilot programs in under 30 days without core system changes.
  • 50% dormant loyalty memberships: Nearly half of all loyalty program memberships are inactive, highlighting the need for innovation.
  • Limited U.S. pilot: The initiative begins with select U.S.-based banks and card issuers.
🎯 Expert Consensus

Experts view GetC as a strategic move to modernize loyalty programs by leveraging crypto rewards, addressing declining engagement in traditional schemes, particularly among younger consumers.

2 days ago

MOTMX and Uphold Target Banks With New Crypto Rewards-as-a-Service

NEW YORK, NY – April 29, 2026 – In a move aimed at bridging the gap between traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset economy, payments firm MOTMX and crypto infrastructure provider Uphold have announced a partnership to launch GetC, a new rewards product for financial institutions.

Unveiled today, GetC is a pre-built, white-label solution designed to enable banks, credit unions, and fintechs to offer cryptocurrency rewards to their customers for everyday card spending. The product is engineered to integrate with existing cashback and rewards programs, allowing financial institutions to enter the on-chain world without undertaking costly and complex overhauls of their core banking systems.

This initiative comes as traditional financial players face mounting pressure to innovate and cater to a younger, digitally native clientele that increasingly expects seamless integration of digital assets into their financial lives.

"Consumers expect seamless access to digital assets, while many financial institutions struggle to innovate at pace to address this market opportunity," said Nihad Nazir, Founder and CEO of MOTMX, in the announcement. He described crypto-backed rewards as a "compelling alternative to traditional loyalty programs that are now commoditized and ineffective at driving engagement." Nazir positions GetC as a "plug-and-play SaaS solution" that allows institutions to get on-chain quickly and generate revenue.

Uphold's CEO, Simon McLoughlin, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the shifting expectations of younger consumers. "Increasingly, younger generations don't see a divide between on-chain and traditional finance. They just want financial services that make their everyday money work harder for them," McLoughlin stated. "We're thrilled to have helped MOTMX get this product to market in a matter of months."

The New Battleground for Customer Loyalty

The launch of GetC taps into a significant pain point for the financial industry: the declining effectiveness of traditional loyalty programs. For decades, banks have relied on cashback, points, and miles to attract and retain credit card customers. However, these offerings have become commoditized, leading to a sea of similar products struggling to inspire genuine loyalty, particularly among younger demographics.

Recent industry data highlights this challenge. While loyalty program participation is widespread, engagement is often shallow. Studies show that nearly half of all loyalty memberships are dormant, representing billions of dollars in unredeemed points globally. Furthermore, generations like Gen-Z show the lowest participation rates in these traditional programs, signaling a clear need for modernization.

MOTMX and Uphold are betting that crypto is the answer. By converting standard cashback rewards into passive micro-investments in digital assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum, GetC transforms a simple perk into a dynamic financial tool. For the consumer, every purchase contributes to building a small, diversified crypto portfolio, introducing them to the world of digital assets with minimal friction or direct financial outlay. This model reframes rewards not as a static discount but as an opportunity for asset appreciation, a concept with strong appeal for an investment-savvy generation.

A 'Plug-and-Play' Promise for Legacy Systems

A key selling point for GetC is its promise of rapid, non-disruptive integration. MOTMX claims that financial institutions can launch pilot programs in under 30 days without changes to their core banking and payments systems. This 'plug-and-play' assertion is ambitious, given that the banking industry is notoriously hampered by decades-old legacy technology that makes any change a monumental task.

However, the 'white-label' and API-driven architecture of modern fintech solutions like GetC is designed specifically to circumvent these hurdles. Rather than attempting to rip and replace foundational systems, such products act as a middleware layer, communicating with the bank's existing infrastructure through advanced APIs. This allows a new service—in this case, crypto rewards—to be bolted onto the existing card and payment rails.

The 'under 30 days' timeline likely applies to the limited pilot program, which provides a controlled environment for early adopters to test and integrate the service. While a full-scale, enterprise-wide rollout would undoubtedly be more complex, this approach allows institutions to test, learn, and prove the business case before committing to a larger transformation. It represents a pragmatic path toward innovation in a risk-averse industry.

Navigating a Crowded and Regulated Market

MOTMX and Uphold are entering a competitive, albeit nascent, market. Several crypto-native firms, including Gemini, Coinbase, and Crypto.com, already offer direct-to-consumer debit and credit cards with crypto rewards. Even some traditional players have dipped their toes in the water; JPMorgan Chase, for instance, has a partnership allowing its cardholders to convert rewards points into crypto via Coinbase.

GetC's strategic differentiator lies in its B2B, 'as-a-service' model. Instead of competing with banks for customers, it aims to empower them. By providing the tools for any bank or credit union to launch its own branded crypto rewards program, MOTMX is positioning itself as an enabler rather than a disruptor.

Critical to this model is the role of Uphold as the underlying infrastructure and compliance engine. Uphold is regulated in the U.S. by FinCEN and state authorities and operates under a model of radical transparency, publishing its reserve data in real-time. This focus on compliance is essential for attracting institutional partners, who are ultimately liable for the safety and security of their customers' assets and data. However, the regulatory landscape remains a minefield. Uphold itself settled with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for sanctions violations that occurred between 2017 and 2022, a stark reminder of the stringent compliance burdens in the digital asset space.

For any bank adopting GetC, thorough due diligence on the underlying infrastructure and a compliance-first approach will be paramount to navigating this evolving regulatory environment.

From Points to Portfolios: The Consumer Impact

Ultimately, the success of GetC will depend on its appeal to the end consumer. If adopted by banks, the product has the potential to significantly lower the barrier to entry for crypto investing. Millions of banking customers who are curious about digital assets but intimidated by the complexities of exchanges and wallets could soon find themselves earning crypto automatically through their daily spending.

This shift from earning static, often-forgotten points to accumulating a portfolio of potentially appreciating digital assets represents a fundamental change in the nature of loyalty. It aligns with a broader trend of embedded finance, where financial services are integrated seamlessly into everyday activities. The GetC model allows consumers to 'stack sats'—a popular term for accumulating small amounts of Bitcoin—simply by buying groceries, paying bills, or filling up their gas tank.

The initiative will begin with a limited pilot program available to select U.S.-based banks and card issuers, serving as the first real-world test of this innovative approach to customer rewards.

Sector: Fintech Software & SaaS
Theme: API Economy Regulation & Compliance
Event: Corporate Finance
Product: Bitcoin Ethereum AI & Software Platforms

📝 This article is still being updated

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