What happens during a payment
The interesting part takes about a second and a half, and you never see any of it.
- The terminal sends an authorisation request to the card network, exactly as it would for a bank card.
- The platform quotes the amount in your settlement asset and locks the rate for that authorisation.
- The corresponding amount is drawn from your linked wallet balance under the allowance you approved.
- The merchant is paid in local fiat. The receipt shows a normal card purchase.
- Your app records the transaction with both the fiat amount and the crypto amount it cost.
If a payment is declined — insufficient balance, a spending limit, a frozen card — nothing is deducted, and the reason appears in the app instead of leaving you guessing at the till.
What you need
- A supported wallet with a balance in any settlement asset.
- A phone running iOS or Android (a browser works for online payments only).
- Identity verification, where local regulation requires it for card issuance.
No exchange account. No bank transfer. No waiting for a withdrawal to clear before you can buy lunch.
Limits and controls
| Control | Where | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze card | App, one tap | Blocks all authorisations instantly |
| Spending allowance | Wallet approval | Caps what the card can ever draw |
| Per-transaction limit | Card settings | Rejects anything above your ceiling |
| Online payments | Toggle | Disables card-not-present use |
| Disconnect wallet | Wallet or app | Revokes the link entirely |