In July 2025, the well-known domestic virtual payment card platform WildCard gradually suspended its recharge, withdrawal, new user registration, and subscription consumption functions in cooperation with relevant department investigations, ultimately leading to users being unable to use their card balances normally. This news undoubtedly disappointed many users who relied on WildCard to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus, recharge OpenAI API, or use other overseas services. The suspension of WildCard has made finding alternative virtual cards an urgent priority. WildCard will focus on analyzing alternatives such as PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard, especially comparing the pros and cons of PokePay and VCard to help domestic users choose a more suitable virtual card.
Alternatives After WildCard Suspension#
The popularity of WildCard among domestic users is attributed to its support for Alipay and WeChat recharge, simple operation, and stable payment. Its suspension has exposed the policy risks that may arise from relying on domestic payment channels. The currently recommended alternative virtual cards primarily focus on cryptocurrency (such as USDT) recharge, allowing users to purchase USDT through exchanges like OKX, Binance, HTX, or Gate and then recharge it to the card. Although this method involves more steps, it offers higher security and effectively avoids regulatory risks associated with domestic payment channels. Here is a detailed introduction to several alternative virtual cards:
1. PokePay: Flexible Choice for Small Transactions#
PokeCard is a Visa virtual credit card based on Hong Kong dollars, with the biggest highlight being no minimum recharge or consumption requirements, making it particularly suitable for small transaction scenarios like subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, Netflix, or Amazon. PokePay not only provides virtual cards but also supports the application for physical cards, covering ATM withdrawals and offline POS consumption, making it especially suitable for users in the cryptocurrency space who need to cash out. PokePay holds MSB and MSO licenses in the U.S. and Hong Kong, ensuring security, and its fee structure of 1% transaction fee and 1% conversion fee for non-HKD is relatively transparent. For users needing multi-scenario consumption (both online and offline), PokePay's flexibility is its core advantage.
2. VCard: Domestic Consumption Friendly, High Cost-Performance#
VCard is backed by a publicly listed company in the U.S., with low fees and support for binding Alipay and WeChat, providing an excellent domestic consumption experience. It supports scenarios like ChatGPT Plus, OpenAI API recharge, and the U.S. App Store, with some card types not requiring KYC verification, making it suitable for privacy-conscious users. The disadvantage of VCard is its weaker offline functionality, making it more suitable for users primarily focused on online subscriptions. For users unfamiliar with cryptocurrency operations, VCard's user-friendly interface and low fees make it the second choice after PokePay.
3. Dupay: Established but Stability Needs Observation#
Dupay, as the "big brother" of the virtual card market, supports USDT recharge and can be linked to Visa or Mastercard, covering overseas services like ChatGPT Plus and PayPal. Its system maintenance has led to interruptions in recharge or withdrawal, causing a trust crisis among users, so it is recommended for use as a backup card. Dupay is suitable for users with cross-border payment needs who are familiar with cryptocurrency operations, but beginners may need time to adapt to its interface.
4. WasabiCard: Strong Anonymity, Niche Choice#
WasabiCard focuses on anonymity and low cost, requiring no KYC, making it suitable for privacy-conscious users. It supports services like ChatGPT Plus, has low fees, and is easy to operate, but its user base is relatively small, and community support is limited. WasabiCard is more suitable for advanced users familiar with cryptocurrency as a backup option.
PokePay vs. VCard: Which is More Suitable for Domestic Users?#
PokePay and VCard each have their advantages, and the specific choice depends on user needs:
- PokePay: Suitable for users needing multi-scenario consumption (online + offline), especially cryptocurrency users or those with small transaction needs. Its lack of minimum recharge requirements and physical card functionality gives it an edge in flexibility, making it suitable for users who subscribe to services like ChatGPT Plus or Netflix while also wanting to consider offline consumption.
- VCard: More suitable for users primarily focused on online consumption, seeking low fees and convenience in domestic payments. The convenience of binding Alipay and WeChat makes it perform excellently in daily consumption, and its backing by a publicly listed company adds to the trust factor, making it suitable for users trying virtual cards for the first time.
How to Purchase USDT and Recharge Virtual Cards?#
Unlike WildCard's Alipay recharge, virtual cards like PokePay and VCard require recharge through cryptocurrency. Users can access the USDT purchase page of exchanges through OKX USDT Purchase, Binance USDT Purchase, HTX USDT Purchase, or Gate USDT Purchase. The steps are as follows:
- Register and log in to the exchange account.
- Select the amount of USDT to purchase and complete the payment in RMB.
- Use the withdrawal function to transfer USDT to the virtual card platform account.
- Confirm receipt and activate the card for consumption.
It is recommended to test with a small recharge to ensure a smooth process before proceeding with larger transactions. Use the funds immediately after recharging to avoid storing large amounts of money in the card for a long time, reducing platform risk.
Summary and Recommendations#
The suspension of WildCard has forced domestic users to seek new virtual card alternatives. Overall, PokeCard is the first choice due to its flexibility and multi-scenario support, while VCard is the second choice for its low fees and convenience in domestic consumption. Dupay and WasabiCard are suitable as backup cards. To reduce the risk of relying on a single platform, it is recommended to use PokePay and VCard in combination and recharge USDT securely through exchanges like OKX or Binance. Regardless of which virtual card is chosen, timely consumption of the card balance is currently the safest approach. Try out the virtual card that suits you and enjoy overseas services like ChatGPT Plus!