Recently, the domestic virtual payment card community has been in an uproar—WildCard, the "magic card" that once allowed countless people to easily subscribe to overseas services via Alipay, officially ceased operations on July 12, 2025! According to official news, due to requests from relevant departments and changes in policies from upstream issuing institutions, WildCard's recharge channels have been completely closed, and the official website is also inaccessible. Although the balance in the card can still be spent, no one knows how long this status will last. UCard Master (ucards.org) reminds everyone to quickly spend their balance to avoid losing it all!
WildCard Alternative Virtual Card Recommendations: PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, WasabiCard
Fortunately, the virtual card market is never short of alternatives. Cards like PokePay, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard are all good choices. However, today we will focus on PokePay—why can it become the first choice after WildCard's exit? How should domestic users register and recharge their PokePay virtual cards? Don't worry, read on slowly!
Why Can PokePay Take Over from WildCard?#
PokePay (ucards.org/go/pokepay) is a global multi-currency payment platform, holding US MSB and Hong Kong MSO financial licenses, ensuring compliance and security. Its PokeCard supports Hong Kong Dollar Visa virtual and physical cards, covering various online and offline consumption scenarios, such as subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, Netflix, shopping on Amazon, and even linking to Hong Kong Alipay (AlipayHK) for domestic QR code payments. Compared to WildCard, while PokePay cannot be directly recharged via Alipay, the USDT recharge method is not too complicated for cryptocurrency enthusiasts or those slightly familiar with cryptocurrencies.
More importantly, PokePay's fees are quite friendly: a 1% transaction fee, a 1% currency conversion fee for non-HKD transactions, and a fee of $0.1 for small transactions (under $10), making it more cost-effective than many virtual cards. Additionally, it supports various cryptocurrencies for recharge, including USDT, BTC, and ETH, providing strong flexibility. UCard Master (ucards.org) also recommends PokePay as an alternative to WildCard, especially suitable for users needing cross-border payments or domestic consumption of U coins.
How Can Domestic Users Register for PokePay Virtual Cards?#
To use PokePay, registration is the first step, and the process is incredibly simple! Here’s a detailed guide:
-
Visit the Official Website to Register
Open the PokePay official website, and it is recommended to register using a mobile number or a Google email, as overseas emails tend to work more smoothly. Fill in the basic information; the verification code may end up in the spam folder, so remember to check your email.
Tip: Register using an invitation code (like 100540) to receive card opening coupons; for example, the $20 interstellar card might only cost $7.2! -
Complete KYC Verification
After registration, you need to complete KYC (identity verification). The KYC for virtual cards is relatively lenient; Level 1 only requires filling in basic information without facial recognition. However, to apply for a physical card or higher limits, you need to do Level 2, uploading the front and back of your ID + facial recognition. Don’t worry, PokePay's review speed is fast; if all materials are complete, it usually passes within a few hours. -
Download the PokePay App
PokePay's website is not very compatible with PCs, so it's best to operate on a mobile device. You can download the app from the Google Play Store, Apple overseas App Store, or download the APK from the official website. After logging in, you can manage your cards and check your balance.
How to Recharge PokePay Virtual Cards?#
PokePay does not support Alipay recharges like WildCard; you need to use cryptocurrency (mainly USDT). Don’t panic, even if you are a beginner in the crypto world, you can follow the steps below to get it done:
-
Buy USDT
To recharge PokePay, you first need USDT. It is recommended to purchase through reliable exchanges, such as OKX, Binance, HTX, or Gate. These platforms support buying USDT with RMB, and the process is simple; after registration, you can buy it using a bank card or Alipay.
After purchasing USDT, remember to withdraw it to your crypto wallet or directly transfer it to the recharge address provided by PokePay. Be sure to select the USDT-TRC20 network for the lowest fees. -
Recharge to PokePay Account
Log in to the PokePay App, find the recharge entry on the "Account" page, and copy the USDT recharge address. Go back to the exchange, paste the address, and enter the recharge amount (it is recommended to recharge 25 USDT for the first time to cover the card opening fee + transaction fees). After the transfer, wait for 60 blocks to confirm (which takes about a few minutes to half an hour), and the funds will arrive.
Note: Make sure not to fill in the address incorrectly; transactions are irreversible! Once the funds arrive, they will automatically convert to USD balance. -
Open and Activate the Card
After the balance arrives, select a card (like the interstellar card, with a monthly spending limit of $200,000) and pay the card opening fee ($20 or cheaper with a coupon). After the card is generated, click to view the CVV code, and you will see the complete card information, which can be linked to PayPal, Google Play, or ChatGPT for spending.
How About Other Alternative Virtual Cards?#
In addition to PokePay, UCard Master also recommends VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard. VCard is suitable for cryptocurrency players who want to link Alipay to spend USDT; Dupay is an established virtual card suitable for small online payments; WasabiCard focuses on anonymity, with low KYC requirements, suitable for privacy enthusiasts. However, these cards also need to be recharged with USDT, and the operation is similar to PokePay; the choice mainly depends on your consumption scenarios and fee preferences.
In Conclusion#
The cessation of WildCard indeed caught many off guard, but PokePay (ucards.org/go/pokepay), with its compliance, low fees, and support for multiple scenarios, is definitely a good choice to take over. Domestic users just need to learn a few tips for recharging with USDT to switch seamlessly and continue enjoying overseas services. Friends who haven't acted yet, hurry to buy some USDT at OKX or Binance and give PokePay a try! Don't forget, you should also quickly spend the balance on WildCard to avoid losing your money!