Virtual card issuing helps fintechs launch faster, integrate crypto, and offer smart card programs using APIs and virtual card services payment gateway platforms.

What seemed futuristic just a few years ago—crypto neobanks and instant digital card access—is now an everyday expectation. Today, users want more than just wallets and exchanges. they want to spend, swap, and manage digital assets as seamlessly as fiat. and that’s where virtual card issuing steps in. APIs and infrastructure from virtual card services payment gateway providers have made it faster than ever to launch branded card programs—complete with real-time controls, flexible funding, and multi-currency options. The result: better user experience, faster launches, and fewer dependencies on legacy banking rails.
Behind today’s leading crypto platforms and digital banks are invisible systems doing the heavy lifting. virtual card services payment gateway tools offer the infrastructure to build, issue, and manage cards at scale—with minimal development overhead.
These tools allow startups to:
What used to take months of licensing, compliance, and integrations can now happen in a few weeks.
One of the biggest blockers for crypto and fintech startups is regulation. launching in the EU, for example, often requires a MiCA license—which can take months.
Virtual card issuing platforms solve this by letting startups operate under their existing license framework. This means you can:
KYC and AML are handled externally, and providers often partner with industry leaders like Sumsub to keep verification smooth and compliant.
A white-label setup lets companies offer cards that reflect their own brand identity—while relying on a virtual card services payment gateway under the hood.
This gives businesses full control over:
It’s the best of both worlds: speed and scalability, with complete ownership over UX.
Virtual card issuing is no longer a niche feature—it’s a foundational component of modern fintech products. whether you’re building a crypto wallet, travel platform, or business expense tool, the expectation is clear: users want instant, flexible, and secure access to their funds. Thanks to virtual card services payment gateway providers and virtual card issuing API platforms, this is now possible—without the traditional barriers of banking infrastructure.
We just recently announced that Striga has joined, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the support and curiosity from our community. We’ve received a lot of great questions — here are some of the most common ones, along with what’s next for Striga and Lightspark.
A few weeks ago, Striga officially joined Lightspark — a company building the most efficient platform for global, real-time money movement on the Bitcoin network. Together, we’re combining Striga’s strong foundation in crypto compliance and banking infrastructure with Lightspark’s cutting-edge payment technology.
Lightspark and Striga share a vision: to make global payments faster, cheaper, and more open. Striga’s expertise in crypto-native card programs, KYC/KYB, and fiat–crypto bridging complements Lightspark’s Grid API. This partnership accelerates our roadmap and expands what both companies can offer developers and fintechs.
Nothing changes right now — your contracts, APIs, and integrations continue to work as before. You’ll continue to work with the same team, and we’ll notify you well in advance of any updates or migrations.
Lightspark partners now benefit from Striga’s capabilities in regulated card issuance, fiat ramps, and compliance tooling. Over time, you’ll see these integrated into Lightspark’s offerings.
For now, yes. The Striga brand and platform will remain active while we work behind the scenes on deeper integration. We’ll share updates as the two teams and products come together.
No immediate changes. You can continue using all existing Striga endpoints and tools. If updates occur, we’ll make migration guides and timelines available well ahead of time.
Please continue reaching out to your Striga account manager or the same support channels you’ve always used. Lightspark’s team is working closely with Striga to ensure seamless communication.
The combination of Lightspark and Striga gives builders a powerful stack — from compliant onboarding and card issuance to fast global settlement over Bitcoin. Together, we’re unlocking new possibilities for wallets, neobanks, and payment companies.
We’ll be gradually rolling out updates that bring the best of both platforms together. Expect new APIs, expanded corridors, and improved developer experiences — with the reliability and compliance you’ve come to expect from Striga.
Visit lightspark.com for more on our vision, or follow Striga’s updates for ongoing news.
Book a call with us to learn how Striga can get your payment flow approved and launched in record time. No NDAs needed and we commit to upfront, transparent pricing to meet the needs of both startups and enterprises.
