The domestic virtual payment card market has experienced a significant upheaval. The highly favored WildCard among domestic users underwent a dramatic transformation from suspending operations to a complete shutdown due to cooperation with relevant department investigations. On July 12, WildCard announced the cessation of all business operations, and the official website was temporarily inaccessible; on July 14, the website resumed access, allowing users to check card numbers and CVV, but the recharge and withdrawal functions were disabled; on July 20, the official notice further clarified the suspension of new user registrations, recharge, and withdrawal functions, but promised that the balance already recharged could still be used for subscribing to AI products. By July 22, old users found themselves unable to log into the backend, with the system prompting the suspension of subscription consumption, recharge, withdrawal, and refund functions. This meant that the balance on WildCard was no longer usable, and the card had completely lost its functionality. Although WildCard did not "run away with the database," the hope of resuming normal operations seems bleak, leaving many disheartened.
The shutdown of WildCard has caused inconvenience for many users who relied on it for subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, recharging OpenAI credits, and other overseas services. In light of this situation, finding reliable alternative virtual cards has become a pressing priority. Below, we recommend several excellent alternatives to WildCard, particularly the virtual credit card service PokeCard, which allows recharge via cryptocurrency USDT, providing a safer and more stable user experience.
Recommended Alternatives to WildCard#
1. PokePay: The Flexible Low-Threshold Choice#
PokeCard is a Visa virtual credit card based on Hong Kong dollars, with the biggest highlight being no minimum recharge or spending requirements, making it particularly suitable for users who need small transactions. For example, users looking to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, Netflix, or Amazon Prime can easily achieve this through PokePay. PokePay also supports physical cards, allowing ATM withdrawals and offline POS consumption, making it a convenient cash-out option for cryptocurrency users. The flexibility and wide applicability of PokePay make it the preferred alternative after WildCard's shutdown.
2. VCard: Backed by a Public Company, User-Friendly#
VCard is supported by a publicly listed company in the United States, ensuring security, low fees, and extreme friendliness to domestic users. It can be directly linked to Alipay and WeChat, facilitating daily online consumption, while also supporting subscriptions to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI. Compared to PokePay, VCard's offline functionality is somewhat lacking, but for users primarily engaged in online consumption, VCard is a reliable choice.
3. Dupay: A Veteran Choice, Suitable as a Backup#
Dupay is a seasoned player in the virtual card market, supporting binding with WeChat and Alipay, and compatible with subscriptions to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus. Due to recharge and withdrawal issues caused by previous system maintenance, some users' trust in it has declined. It is recommended to use Dupay as a backup card in conjunction with other platforms to diversify risk.
4. WasabiCard: A Simple Choice Focused on Privacy#
WasabiCard emphasizes anonymity and simple operations, making it suitable for users who prioritize privacy protection. It supports subscriptions to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus, but has a smaller user base and limited community support. For users familiar with cryptocurrency operations, WasabiCard is a good backup choice.
Why Choose USDT for Recharge?#
Unlike WildCard, which relies on domestic payment channels (like Alipay), the recommended virtual cards all adopt USDT recharge methods. This method allows users to purchase USDT through cryptocurrency exchanges (such as OKX, Binance, HTX, Gate) and recharge it to the virtual card balance, not only simplifying the process but also effectively avoiding regulatory risks associated with domestic payment channels, ensuring service stability. Especially after WildCard's shutdown due to policy reasons, the USDT recharge model provides users with a safer option.
How to Buy USDT?#
Buying USDT is very simple; just enter the exchange through the USDT purchase portal (such as OKX USDT Purchase, Binance USDT Purchase, HTX USDT Purchase, Gate USDT Purchase). Follow the page instructions to register and log in, select the desired USDT purchase amount, and after completing the payment, use the withdrawal function to transfer USDT to the virtual card platform. The entire process is clear and efficient, allowing even newcomers to quickly get started.
Considerations for Alternative Solutions#
The shutdown of WildCard reminds us that the risks of relying on a single platform cannot be ignored. It is recommended that users adopt a multi-card combination strategy, such as using both PokeCard and VCard simultaneously, to reduce the impact of a single platform's service suspension. To avoid fund stagnation, it is advisable to use the balance as soon as possible after recharging and not to store large amounts of money in the card for long periods.
It is worth mentioning that BinGoCard, which originally supported cloud flash payment recharge, was once considered the best alternative to WildCard, but due to malicious reporting, the recharge channel was closed, and it later switched to a foreign exchange recharge method via US bank accounts, which is complex for domestic users and reduces cost-effectiveness, thus no longer being the first choice.
Conclusion#
The shutdown of WildCard has sounded the alarm for virtual card users; under policy regulation, platforms relying on domestic payment channels carry uncertainties. However, PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard provide safer and more stable services through USDT recharge. Especially, PokePay stands out with its low threshold and flexibility, becoming the preferred option for subscribing to ChatGPT Plus and recharging OpenAI. Users can quickly purchase USDT through exchanges like OKX to enjoy a seamless overseas service experience. In the future, diversified choices and timely consumption will be the wise path for using virtual cards.