The once-popular WildCard among domestic users has completely suspended its services due to "cooperating with relevant departments for investigation." From the interruption of access on the official website on July 12, to the restoration of backend query functions on July 14, and then to the complete suspension of subscription consumption, recharge, withdrawal, and new user registration on July 22, WildCard's service suspension has caught many users who rely on it for subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, recharging OpenAI API, and other overseas services off guard. Although WildCard's official statement claims it has not "run away" and is working on fixing issues like "zeroing out balances," the likelihood of it resuming normal operations seems bleak. This not only marks the end of a convenient payment era but also prompts users to seek new virtual card alternatives, such as PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard. These alternatives share a common feature: they almost all require recharges via the cryptocurrency USDT. What is the reason behind this? WildCard will explore the background of its service suspension and discuss why USDT recharges have become the mainstream choice for virtual cards, while recommending reliable alternatives.
The Impact of WildCard's Suspension and the Rise of USDT#
The reason WildCard was so favored by domestic users lies in its support for recharge methods like Alipay and WeChat, which use RMB, making it easy to quickly subscribe to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus, Claude, and Netflix. Strict regulatory control over payment channels in China led to the disconnection of WildCard's recharge channels, ultimately resulting in a complete service suspension. This situation is not an isolated case; BinGoCard, which also supports recharges via Cloud Flash Payment, has had its recharge channel closed due to malicious reporting. This reflects the vulnerability of domestic payment methods in cross-border scenarios, where even minor disturbances can lead to service interruptions.
USDT (Tether), as a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, has become the preferred recharge method for virtual card platforms due to its decentralized characteristics. USDT transfers occur through blockchain networks, avoiding reliance on traditional banking systems and the regulatory risks that domestic payment channels may face. USDT has strong global circulation, fast transaction speeds, and relatively low fees, making it suitable for cross-border payment scenarios. Virtual card platforms like PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard choosing USDT for recharges not only ensures service stability but also provides users with higher privacy protection and fund security.
Why is USDT Recharge Safer and More Stable?#
For domestic users, USDT recharge may sound a bit complex, but it actually brings multiple advantages to virtual card platforms and users. The decentralized nature of USDT means that funds do not need to flow through domestic banks or payment platforms, avoiding the risks of account freezes or service interruptions due to policy changes. The exchange rate of USDT is relatively stable, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, making it suitable for paying for overseas services priced in dollars, such as the $20 monthly fee for ChatGPT Plus. USDT recharges typically have no minimum amount limit, allowing users to recharge flexibly according to their needs, avoiding long-term funds being tied up in the card.
The process of using USDT to recharge a virtual card is not complicated. You can purchase USDT through exchanges like OKX USDT Purchase, Binance USDT Purchase, Huobi HTX USDT Purchase, or Gate USDT Purchase. The steps are simple: register and log in to the exchange account, select the USDT purchase page, enter the purchase amount, complete the payment via bank card or Alipay, and then transfer the USDT to the wallet address of the virtual card platform. Taking OKX as an example, its C2C trading model makes purchasing USDT as convenient as online shopping, suitable for novice users.
Alternative Choices to WildCard: Which Virtual Card is Right for You?#
After WildCard's suspension, PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard have become the main alternatives. Although these platforms all rely on USDT for recharges, each has its own features, catering to different user needs:
- PokeCard: A Visa virtual card based on Hong Kong dollars, with no minimum recharge or spending requirements, suitable for users who want to make small subscriptions to services like ChatGPT Plus and Netflix. Its physical card also supports ATM withdrawals and offline POS consumption, making it particularly suitable for users needing to cash out.
- VCard: Backed by a publicly listed company in the US, it has low fees and supports binding to Alipay and WeChat for domestic consumption, making it suitable for users primarily engaged in online spending. Although its offline functionality is somewhat weaker, its stability makes it a second-best choice.
- Dupay: The "big brother" of the virtual card market, supporting subscriptions to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus, but has seen a decline in user trust due to past system maintenance issues, recommended as a backup card.
- WasabiCard: Focused on anonymity and ease of use, suitable for privacy-conscious users, but with limited community support, making it a good backup option.
Usage Recommendations: Multi-Card Strategy to Reduce Risk#
Given that a single platform may face regulatory or technical issues, it is recommended that users adopt a multi-card strategy, such as using both PokeCard and VCard simultaneously to diversify risk. It is advisable to use the balance immediately after recharging to avoid potential fund losses due to sudden platform issues. For purchasing USDT, OKX is the preferred exchange due to fewer regional restrictions and ease of operation; Binance and Huobi HTX are suitable for users with overseas IPs or those more familiar with cryptocurrency operations.
Conclusion#
The suspension of WildCard has deprived domestic users of a convenient payment channel, but USDT recharge virtual cards provide a safer and more stable alternative for subscribing to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API. Through PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard, combined with USDT purchasing channels from exchanges like OKX, users can continue to enjoy overseas services. The decentralized nature of USDT not only avoids regulatory risks but also provides users with flexible payment options. Although there may be slight operational hurdles, its stability and security are undoubtedly the best choices for current cross-border payments.