Recently, the domestic virtual payment card community has been in an uproar—WildCard, the "magic card" that allowed countless people to easily subscribe to overseas services using 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 used for consumption, no one knows how long this status can last. UCard Master (ucards.org) reminds everyone to quickly spend their balance to avoid losing it all!
Recommended alternatives to WildCard: 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, just read on!
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 directly recharge via Alipay, the process of recharging through USDT 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-Hong Kong dollar transactions, and a fee of $0.1 for small transactions (under $10), making it overall more cost-effective than many virtual cards. Additionally, it supports various cryptocurrencies for recharging, 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 a PokePay virtual card?#
To use PokePay, registration is the first step, and the process is incredibly simple! Here’s a detailed guide:
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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; overseas emails will be smoother. Fill in the basic information, and the verification code may end up in the spam folder, so remember to check your email.
Tip: Registering with an invitation code (like 100540) can get you a card opening coupon; for example, a $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 basic information without facial recognition. However, to apply for a physical card or a higher limit, you need to do Level 2, uploading the front and back of your ID card + facial recognition. Don’t worry, PokePay's review speed is fast; if all documents 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 phone. You can download the App from the Google Store, Apple overseas App Store, or download the APK from the official website. After logging in, you can manage your card and check your balance.
How to recharge the PokePay virtual card?#
PokePay does not support Alipay recharges like WildCard; you need to use cryptocurrency (mainly USDT). Don’t panic, even if you are a novice in the crypto world, you can follow the steps below to get it done:
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Purchase USDT
To recharge PokePay, you first need USDT. It is recommended to buy it through reliable exchanges, such as OKX, Binance, HTX, or Gate. These platforms support purchasing 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 choose the USDT-TRC20 network for the lowest fees. -
Recharge to the 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 transferring, wait for 60 blocks to confirm (about a few minutes to half an hour), and the funds will arrive.
Note: Be very careful not to enter the wrong address, as transactions are irreversible! Once the funds arrive, they will automatically convert to a 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 use a coupon for a cheaper price). Once 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 consumption.
How about other alternative virtual cards?#
In addition to PokePay, UCard Master also recommends VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard. VCard is suitable for crypto enthusiasts who want to link Alipay to spend USDT; Dupay is an established virtual card, ideal for small online payments; WasabiCard focuses on anonymity, with low KYC requirements, suitable for privacy-conscious users. However, these cards also require USDT for recharges, and the operation is similar to PokePay; the choice mainly depends on your consumption scenarios and fee preferences.
In conclusion#
The suspension of WildCard has 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. For those who haven't acted yet, hurry to buy some USDT at OKX or Binance and give PokePay a try! Don't forget, the balance on WildCard should also be spent quickly to avoid losing your money