WildCard was favored for supporting Alipay and other RMB recharge methods, making it convenient for subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, recharging OpenAI API, and various overseas services. Starting from July 12, 2025, WildCard gradually suspended recharge, withdrawal, and new user registration functions in cooperation with relevant department investigations. By July 22, it completely suspended subscription consumption, rendering the balance unusable and the card functions nearly paralyzed. Although the official statement claimed it did not "run away," the hope for a return to normal operations seems bleak, leaving many domestic users reliant on WildCard in a difficult situation. In light of this, finding a stable and reliable alternative virtual card has become an urgent priority. WildCard will focus on introducing PokeCard as a high-quality alternative to WildCard and will detail how domestic users can register and use the PokePay virtual card to facilitate a seamless transition for overseas payment needs.
Why Choose PokePay?#
PokePay is a Visa virtual credit card platform based on Hong Kong dollars, holding US MSB (Money Services Business) and Hong Kong MSO (Money Services Operator) financial licenses, ensuring compliance and security. Its core product, PokeCard, supports both virtual and physical cards, making it particularly suitable for cryptocurrency users and scenarios requiring small transactions. Compared to WildCard, PokePay's biggest highlight is no minimum recharge or spending requirements, allowing users to flexibly recharge any amount, suitable for subscribing to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus, Netflix, Amazon, or withdrawing cash at ATMs and making offline POS purchases with the physical card. PokePay supports cryptocurrency recharges in USDT, USDC, BTC, ETH, etc., avoiding regulatory risks associated with domestic payment channels and providing greater stability.
PokePay's KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements are relatively lenient; the virtual card only requires simple registration, while the physical card requires basic identity verification, making the operational threshold low. Compared to other alternatives like VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard, PokePay stands out in small transaction and cryptocurrency withdrawal scenarios, making it suitable for users seeking flexibility and low costs.
How to Register for a PokePay Virtual Card?#
For domestic users, registering for a PokePay virtual card and starting to use it is not complicated. Here are the detailed steps:
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Visit the PokePay Official Website
Open your browser and go to the PokePay Official Website (it is recommended to use the invitation code: 165255 to enjoy possible discounts). The page supports Chinese, with clear navigation; click the "Register" or "Sign Up" button to enter the registration process. -
Create an Account
Fill in basic information, including email, password, and phone number. It is advisable to use a commonly used email to receive verification emails and subsequent notifications. After completing email verification, the account will be activated. -
Complete KYC Verification
PokePay's virtual card requires simple KYC verification, usually just needing to upload a photo of your ID or passport; in some cases, proof of address may be required. The verification process generally completes within 1-3 business days, which is more convenient compared to traditional bank card application processes. -
Apply for a PokeCard Virtual Card
After logging into your account, go to the "Card Management" page and select "Apply for Virtual Card." The activation fee for the virtual card is $20 (which may be as low as $7.2 during promotional periods), with no monthly or annual fees. Once the application is successful, the system will instantly generate the card number, expiration date, and CVV code, which can be used for online purchases immediately. -
Purchase USDT and Recharge
Since PokePay only supports cryptocurrency recharges, domestic users need to first purchase USDT through an exchange. It is recommended to use OKX, Binance, HTX, or Gate. The specific steps are as follows:- Visit the USDT Purchase Entry and select any exchange.
- Register and log into the exchange account, completing identity verification.
- On the "Buy" or "Purchase Cryptocurrency" page, select USDT and enter the purchase amount (it is advisable to buy according to actual needs to avoid large accumulations).
- Use Alipay, WeChat, or bank card to pay; after the purchase is completed, withdraw the USDT to the wallet address provided by the PokePay platform.
- Confirm the recharge in your PokePay account; the balance can then be used for virtual card consumption.
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Bind and Use
The PokeCard virtual card can be linked to Alipay (Hong Kong version Alipay HK), PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay for subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, recharging OpenAI API, Midjourney, Amazon, eBay, and other online services. The physical card (expected to be launched between February and April 2025) supports ATM withdrawals and offline POS consumption, further expanding usage scenarios.
Advantages and Considerations of PokePay#
PokePay's virtual card covers a wide range of consumption scenarios, supporting subscription services like ChatGPT Plus, Netflix, Spotify, as well as cross-border e-commerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, Lazada, etc. The ATM withdrawal and POS consumption functions of the physical card are particularly suitable for cryptocurrency users converting cryptocurrencies into cash, providing high flexibility. PokePay's low fee structure (no transaction fees, no minimum balance requirements) makes it highly competitive for small transactions.
However, please note the following points:
- Cryptocurrency Volatility: The price of USDT is relatively stable, but it is essential to pay attention to market fluctuations before recharging to ensure fund safety.
- Single Platform Risk: It is advisable to use VCard or Dupay in conjunction to diversify funds and reduce risks associated with platform policy changes.
- Timely Consumption: To avoid issues like balance freezing similar to WildCard, it is recommended to use the balance as soon as possible after recharging, avoiding long-term storage of large amounts of funds.
Other Alternative Options#
If PokePay cannot fully meet your needs, consider the following alternatives:
- VCard: Backed by a publicly listed company in the US, supports binding with Alipay and WeChat, suitable for domestic consumption and online subscriptions, low fees but weaker offline functionality.
- Dupay: An established virtual card that supports services like ChatGPT Plus, but has previously affected trust due to system maintenance; can be used as a backup.
- WasabiCard: Focuses on anonymity, suitable for privacy-conscious users, but has weaker community support.
Summary#
The complete suspension of WildCard has forced domestic users to seek new virtual card solutions, and PokePay has become an ideal choice due to its low threshold, high flexibility, and security of cryptocurrency recharges. By purchasing USDT through exchanges like OKX and recharging, domestic users can easily register for PokeCard to meet the needs of overseas services like ChatGPT Plus and Netflix. It is recommended that users register early and plan their funds reasonably, using other card types like VCard to ensure payment stability.