Question 1

What is Reap Card Issuing?

Accepted Answer

Reap Card Issuing is a full-stack card issuing platform and API for branded card programs. Reap is a Visa Principal Issuer in Hong Kong and Mexico, which means you launch on Reap's licence without applying for your own. One integration covers the BIN, processing, card design and production, KYC and KYB, fraud monitoring, dispute handling, reconciliation and ongoing program operations, across 100+ markets.

Question 2

What is the difference between a card issuing API and a card issuing platform?

Accepted Answer

A card issuing API is the interface you build against: create cards, set controls, read transactions. A card issuing platform is everything behind it: the scheme licence, the BIN, processing, card production, KYC, fraud monitoring, disputes, reconciliation and settlement. Most providers sell the API and leave the platform work to you. Reap provides both, because Reap is the issuer rather than a layer on top of one.

Question 3

Which digital assets are supported?

Accepted Answer

For program funding, USDC and USDT. For user-level spend, any asset you can define and price: stablecoins, BTC, ETH, yield-bearing tokens, loyalty points and credit lines.

Question 4

Can you issue and support cards globally?

Accepted Answer

Cards are issued out of Hong Kong and can be used in 100+ markets.

Question 5

Why launch a credit card instead of a debit or prepaid card?

Accepted Answer

Credit cards offer better fraud protection, chargeback support and global acceptance, including at merchants and MCCs that often block debit or prepaid. Credit BINs also unlock more interchange revenue for your program.

Question 6

How long does it take to launch?

Accepted Answer

Most clients go live in 2 to 3 months after KYB, covering onboarding, integration, testing and deployment. Fast engineering teams have launched in as little as 2 weeks.

Question 7

Do I need to build a risk or fraud team?

Accepted Answer

No. Every Card Issuing program includes Reap Sentry, Reap's managed risk service. Your program is protected from transaction one with no risk hires and no fraud tooling on your side.

Question 8

What is the difference between Card Issuing and BIN sponsorship?

Accepted Answer

Card Issuing is the full-stack program: Reap handles everything from the BIN to card production to risk to ongoing operations. BIN sponsorship is for larger platforms that want to run more of the program independently, handling their own KYC, KYB, program management and operations while Reap provides the Visa BIN and scheme relationship. The right path depends on your team's operational maturity.

Question 9

Can my users spend digital assets natively?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You define the asset, set the rate or point to your price feed, and users spend it on their card. Conversion happens at the point of sale, with no swapping or off-ramping on the user's side.

Question 10

Can I offer loyalty and rewards through my card?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Reap Rewards gives you API access to premium benefits including airport lounge access, with cashback, merchant offers and other reward types on the roadmap.

Question 11

Can AI agents spend on cards I issue?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Reap's agentic payments infrastructure lets an AI agent complete a purchase at any merchant with spend bounded by policy and fraud contained, without exposing card data to the model. You do not need to become a card issuer to offer it.

Question 12

What does it cost to build a card program in-house instead?

Accepted Answer

Most platforms spend 12 to 18 months and millions assembling an issuer, a processor, a scheme relationship, KYC and KYB vendors, card production, disputes, reconciliation and risk management before issuing a single card. Risk alone runs to ~USD 250K: a real-time monitoring platform at ~USD 150K and a fraud specialist at ~USD 100K/yr.

Issue your own cards.
Let your users spend digital assets - anywhere Visa is accepted.

Build your stablecoin-powered card program. Ready for fiat too.

Everything you need to launch a card program—already built in.

Visa Principal Issuing License

End-to-end management

Collaborative launch support

Developer-first integration

Scale globally with confidence

Scale with unlimited virtual and physical cards.

Accepted everywhere

International logistics

Get to market faster

Launch your card program fast

Instant card issuance

Security and compliance, from day one

Built-in fraud prevention

Cardholder data protection

PCI DSS compliance made simple

Customized to your brand. Tailored to your users.

Your program, your rules

Design that’s truly yours

Personalized experiences that build loyalty

Tailor your program to deliver a personalised experience

Neo-banks

Digital Wallets & Fintech Platforms

Global Marketplaces & Service Providers

Get started in 4 steps

Sign and verify

Test and integrate

Go live and scale

FAQ

Issue your own cards. Let your users spend digital assets - anywhere Visa is accepted.