In July 2025, the shutdown controversy of WildCard caught many domestic users who relied on virtual cards for overseas service subscriptions off guard. From the interruption of access to the official website on July 12, to the brief restoration of user query functions on July 14, and then the announcement on July 20 to "suspend recharges, withdrawals, and new user registrations" until the complete suspension of subscription consumption, recharges, withdrawals, and refunds on July 22, the operation of WildCard was almost entirely paralyzed. Although the official statement is still cooperating with relevant departments for investigation and emphasizes that it "has not run away," old users are unable to log into the backend, cannot consume their balances, and the cards are unusable, which undoubtedly marks the end of the glorious era of WildCard. For domestic users, finding a reliable alternative virtual card platform has become an urgent priority. The following will explore alternative options to WildCard in detail, as well as how to purchase USDT through cryptocurrency exchanges to support recharges on these platforms.
The Shutdown of WildCard and User Dilemma#
WildCard was favored by domestic users for supporting recharge methods like Alipay in RMB. Whether subscribing to ChatGPT Plus, recharging OpenAI credits, or paying for overseas services like Netflix and Amazon, WildCard provided convenient solutions. Regulatory pressure made this model unsustainable. Starting from July 12, WildCard ceased all operations at the request of relevant departments, and the official website was temporarily inaccessible. After a brief restoration on July 14, users could only query card numbers and CVVs, and balances could continue to be consumed, but recharges or withdrawals were not possible. By July 20, the official notice further clarified the suspension of new user registrations and recharge/withdrawal functions, promising to fix the "balance zeroing" issue. Testing on July 22 showed that users were restricted from logging into the backend, with pop-up messages indicating the suspension of all core functions, even explicitly stating that refunds would not be granted. This means that the balance and card functions of WildCard are basically hopeless to restore, leaving users' funds and subscription needs in a dilemma.
In the face of this situation, domestic users need to turn to safer and more stable virtual card platforms. Fortunately, there are various virtual cards available in the market that support USDT recharges, such as PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard. These platforms not only meet the needs for subscribing to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus but also avoid regulatory risks of domestic payment channels through cryptocurrency recharges.
Recommended Alternatives to WildCard#
Here are four recommended virtual card platforms, each with its unique advantages, suitable for different needs of domestic users:
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PokeCard
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 very suitable for users with small transactions. If you need to subscribe to services like ChatGPT Plus, Netflix, or Amazon, PokeCard can provide a flexible payment experience. Its physical card supports ATM withdrawals and offline POS consumption, making it very convenient for users in the cryptocurrency space. The flexibility and multi-scenario applicability of PokeCard make it the first choice after WildCard's shutdown. -
VCard
VCard is backed by a publicly listed company in the United States, giving it a high level of credibility. Its advantages include low fees and being friendly to domestic consumption, allowing direct binding to Alipay and WeChat for daily spending, while also supporting subscriptions to overseas services like ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI. Although its offline functionality is slightly inferior to PokeCard, for users primarily engaged in online consumption, VCard is a highly cost-effective choice. -
Dupay
As a "big brother" in the virtual card market, Dupay supports binding to WeChat and Alipay and can be used for overseas services like ChatGPT Plus. Past issues with recharges and withdrawals due to system maintenance have somewhat decreased its trustworthiness. For users needing stable services, it is recommended to use Dupay as a backup card in combination with other platforms to diversify risk. -
WasabiCard
WasabiCard focuses on anonymity and ease of use, suitable for users who prioritize privacy. It supports overseas services like ChatGPT Plus, but its user base is relatively small, and community support is limited. For users familiar with cryptocurrency operations, WasabiCard is a good backup option.
How to Recharge Virtual Cards with USDT#
Since the aforementioned virtual card platforms all use USDT as a recharge method, domestic users need to purchase USDT through cryptocurrency exchanges. Recommended exchanges include: OKX, Binance, HTX, and Gate. The specific steps are as follows:
- Visit the USDT purchase entry and choose an exchange (e.g., OKX).
- Register and log in to your account, completing identity verification.
- On the USDT purchase page, select the purchase amount; payment methods typically support bank cards or Alipay.
- After the purchase is complete, use the exchange's "withdraw" function to transfer USDT to the recharge address of the virtual card platform.
- Once the USDT arrives, you can use the balance on the virtual card platform for consumption or subscriptions.
Selection Suggestions and Risk Avoidance#
PokeCard is suitable as the first choice due to its flexibility and no minimum recharge requirement, while VCard is a good second choice due to its backing by a listed company and low fees. Dupay and WasabiCard can serve as backups. To reduce the risk of relying on a single platform, users are advised to adopt a multi-card combination strategy, such as using both PokeCard and VCard simultaneously. After recharging, it is advisable to use the balance quickly to avoid storing large amounts of funds on the card for extended periods, in order to cope with potential service interruptions or policy changes.
It is worth mentioning that BinGoCard, which originally supported Cloud Flash Payment recharges and was an ideal alternative to WildCard, had its recharge channel closed due to malicious reporting and subsequently switched to recharges via U.S. bank accounts, involving foreign exchange operations, making it no longer friendly to domestic users.
Conclusion#
The complete shutdown of WildCard has undoubtedly brought significant impact to domestic users, but virtual card platforms like PokeCard, VCard, Dupay, and WasabiCard provide new options for users. By purchasing USDT through exchanges like OKX for recharges, these platforms can meet the needs for services like ChatGPT Plus while offering greater security and stability due to the characteristics of cryptocurrency. In the face of changes in the virtual card market, domestic users should remain flexible, choose platforms that suit them, and reduce risks through multi-card combinations and timely consumption. The virtual card market may see new changes in the future, but for now, these alternative solutions are sufficient to meet demand.