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Cashback vs Points — what's the difference?

Both show up in your KAST rewards. Both grow when you spend. But they work in very different ways.

In short:

Cashback is redeemable USD value you can spend on your next card purchase. Every member earns it.

KAST Points are a separate rewards balance earned on top of cashback — exclusive to Premium and Private members.

Here is how they differ.

Cashback and points at a glance

Reward type What it is Who gets it How it works
USD Cashback Redeemable USD value Standard, Premium, Private Earned on eligible card spend, then redeemed in the app and applied to the next card purchase
KAST Points Separate points balance Premium, Private Earned separately on eligible card spend and tracked separately from cashback

What cashback is

Cashback is the reward you can use toward card spending.

You earn it based on your membership tier. Then, when it becomes available, you redeem it in the Rewards Hub. After that, it becomes Redeemed inside your Rewards Balance as a separate spendable sub-balance.

Cashback rates by tier

Membership tier USD cashback rate
Standard 1.5%
Premium 2%
Private 3%

What points are

Points are a separate rewards balance. They are not USD cashback. Premium and Private members earn points on eligible card spend.

Membership tier KAST Points
Standard No points
Premium 1% on eligible card spend
Private 2% on eligible card spend

The practical difference

Here is the clean split:

  • Cashback is redeemed in the app and then used toward card purchases
  • Points are tracked in a separate points ledger
  • Cashback is available across all tiers
  • Points are available on Premium and Private

How cashback works

Cashback follows a simple flow:

  • You make an eligible card purchase
  • Cashback is awarded
  • It becomes redeemable
  • You tap Redeem
  • It becomes Redeemed inside your Rewards Balance
  • It applies automatically to your next card purchase

Cashback is not auto-redeemed. You need to redeem it in the Rewards Hub first.

What you can and cannot do with Card USD Cashback

You can:

  • earn it on eligible card spend
  • redeem it in the Rewards Hub
  • use it toward your next card purchase

You cannot:

  • withdraw it to an external wallet
  • withdraw it to a bank account
  • convert it to points

Refunds and clawbacks

If a transaction that earned cashback is later refunded or reversed, the related cashback can be clawed back.

If you already redeemed and used it, the shortfall can be deducted from your card spending account. In some cases, that can push the balance negative.

Quick comparison

Question Cashback Points
Is it USD value? Yes No
Is it tracked separately? Yes Yes
Do all tiers get it? Yes No
Does it need redemption? Yes No
Can it be used toward card purchases? Yes No

Points in the app

Points are tracked separately in your Rewards Hub and remain visible in the app as a separate balance.

The short answer

Cashback gives you redeemable USD value for card spend.

Points are a separate balance earned on eligible card spend for Premium and Private members.

If you see both in your account, that is expected. They work side by side, but they are not the same reward.

Cashback follows the Locked, Redeemable, and Redeemed classifications in the KAST Rewards Program Terms and Conditions.
     

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, tax, or financial advice. Digital assets involve high risk and may result in total loss. Please do your own research and consult professional advisors before making any decisions. Read full disclaimer here.

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KAST Adds In-App Affiliate Sign-Up and Portal Access

You’ve probably talked about KAST without even thinking about it. Maybe someone asked how you receive USD from abroad. Maybe they were curious how you actually spend stablecoins in daily life. Maybe you dropped your referral link in a group chat and moved on.But you never really know what happens next.Now you can turn those casual conversations into something structured and measurable — without creating a separate account or searching for signup pages. You can apply to the KAST Affiliate Program directly inside the app.There are no extra logins, no separate platforms to manage, and no added friction. It starts exactly where you already are.Why Apply Inside The App?Most affiliate programs sit outside the product experience. You usually have to search for the right signup page, create a separate login, manually connect your referral code, and then switch between different dashboards just to keep track of everything. It often feels disconnected from the product you’re actually using.With KAST, the process starts inside the app. You simply go to Home → Refer → Become an Affiliate.Because it’s built into your existing account, your email stays aligned, your referral code remains the same, and your identity is already verified. There’s no need to recreate information or manage a separate profile.Keeping everything in one place reduces friction, minimizes back-and-forth during review, and makes the whole process more straightforward.How The Application Process WorksStep 1: Apply From The AppOpen your KAST app and go to:Home → Refer → Become an AffiliateThen:Tap ReferTap Become an Affiliate (top corner)The application form opens in your browser.It’s short and focused. You’ll be asked for:Your affiliate code (from the app)Name, phone number, and KAST emailPrevious affiliate experience (if any)Optional links (Telegram, LinkedIn, etc.)Your main channels and audience countriesA short note about how you plan to promote KASTSubmit the form. That’s it.Step 2: Get Access To The PortalAfter internal review, approved applicants receive access to the Affiliate Portal.From there, you can:Track referrals in real timeMonitor rewardsSee which content drives resultsOptimize how you promote KASTYou don’t need to change how you share. You just gain visibility into performance.See what actually drives sign-upsImagine you run a Telegram group about digital payments and crypto tools.Members often ask:How do you receive USD from clients?How do you spend stablecoins locally?How does the KAST Card work in daily life?You’ve been sharing your referral link casually. Some people sign up — but you don’t know how many, or why.After applying through the app and getting approved, that changes.Now you can see:Which posts generate sign-upsWhich use cases resonate mostWhether your audience responds more to the KAST Card or Local PayoutsInstead of guessing, you have data.Instead of casually sharing, you’re running something structured.How This Fits Into the KAST EcosystemMost affiliates promote what they already use. In practice, that means they talk about real things they do in KAST. For example, they receive USD into their KAST Global USD account, hold stablecoins like USDC, and spend globally with the KAST Card. They also use local payouts to convert funds into local currency when they need to.When your content reflects real usage, referrals feel natural. You are not pushing a product. Instead, you are showing how you use KAST in daily life. People understand the value because they see it in context.The Affiliate Program simply adds tracking and structure to what you already do inside KAST.What It CostsThere is no fee to apply.If approved, commissions and rewards are visible inside the Affiliate Portal.Eligibility criteria, reward structures, and approval timelines may change and are subject to internal review.Quick Checklist Before You ApplyYou actively use KASTYou have an audience (community, social media, newsletter, etc.)You can explain real use cases clearlyYou’re willing to promote responsiblyIf that sounds like you, the process takes just a few minutes.Ready To Apply?Open the KAST app and go to:Home → Refer → Become an AffiliateOr learn more at:https://www.kast.xyz/affiliateStart in the app.Apply in minutes.Track everything in one place.
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