Best Card Issuing APIs for Marketplaces in 2026

A card issuing API lets marketplaces issue virtual and physical cards directly through their own platform. You can create cards for sellers and other users, set spending limits, manage balances, and track transactions.

In this article, the CardsPro team compares six card issuing APIs for marketplaces in 2026, covering their features, pricing, supported regions, and key differences to help you choose the right provider.

Availability, cardholder eligibility, funding options, and pricing depend on the approved card program.

Seller onboarding. Check if you can issue cards to individual sellers and businesses. Find out who handles identity verification (KYC/KYB), compliance checks, and cardholder approval.

Account and balance management. Check how cards are funded and how you can manage each seller's balance. If sellers need to spend their marketplace earnings, make sure the provider supports this setup.

Card issuing and automation. Choose an API that lets you create virtual cards, set limits, freeze or close cards, and track transactions. You should be able to manage these actions directly from your marketplace.

API documentation. Look for clear API references, integration guides, code examples, and a sandbox for testing.

Technical support. Check whether your developers can contact technical support during integration and after launch. Ask about response times and available support channels.

Spending controls. Look for limits on transaction amounts, merchants, and spending categories. For example, you can restrict payments to specific merchants or spending categories.

Countries and currencies. Check where you can issue cards, which countries your sellers can live in, and what currencies are supported. Make sure the cards work with the payment services your sellers use.

Crypto and stablecoin support. If your marketplace works with cryptocurrency, check whether the provider supports funding with USDT or other stablecoins. Compare supported blockchain networks, conversion fees, and deposit limits.

Pricing. Compare card issuance fees, transaction costs, funding fees, currency conversion, and setup charges. Calculate the total cost based on how many sellers and cards you plan to support.

Ads CardsPro offers virtual Visa and Mastercard cards for TikTok Ads, Meta Ads, Google Ads, and other advertising platforms. You can issue a separate card for each ad account, set spending limits, and track payments from one dashboard.

CardsPro lets you add virtual and physical card issuing to your existing marketplace, website, or app. Use the API to issue cards, set limits, manage balances, and track transactions directly from your platform.

Best for: Marketplaces and B2B platforms that want to offer their own card product and automate virtual card issuing.

Key features:

• Virtual and physical card issuing via API.
• 20+ BINs across the US, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other regions.
• USD and EUR support.
• Card limits, balance management, freezes, and transaction tracking.
• USDT funding with 1:1 conversion to USD, plus SWIFT and SEPA transfers.
• API documentation, integration assistance, and technical support.

Pricing: Virtual cards start from $2.50. Top-up fees can reach 4%. API integration has a separate setup fee. Rates vary by BIN and card type.

Pros: CardsPro supports multiple BINs and USDT funding. The company also provides technical assistance during integration, with launch times starting from 14 days for businesses with ready infrastructure.

Limitations: CardsPro requires an existing product and backend for API integration. If you plan to issue cards to independent sellers, confirm the supported cardholder and funding setup before starting.

Adyen Issuing lets marketplaces issue cards linked to their users' balance accounts. A seller can receive payments through Adyen and use the available funds to pay for shipping, supplies, or other business expenses.

Best for: Marketplaces that want to manage seller payments, balances, and cards through one provider.

Key features:

• Virtual and physical Visa and Mastercard cards.
• Balance Platform API for accounts, funds, and card issuing.
• Seller verification and onboarding.
• Spending limits and custom authorization rules.
• Real-time transaction notifications.

Pricing: Custom quote.

Pros: Sellers can receive marketplace payments and spend their available balance with a card, all through Adyen.

Limitations: Issuing is available in the EEA, UK, and US, subject to eligibility and approval. You'll also need to integrate Adyen's balance and account management system, which adds work beyond issuing cards.

Stripe Issuing provides an API for creating virtual and physical cards. If you already use Stripe Connect, you can add card issuing through Stripe Issuing.

Instacart uses Stripe Issuing to provide shoppers with cards for grocery purchases.

Best for: Marketplaces already using Stripe or building payment and card features in the Stripe ecosystem.

Key features:

• Instant virtual card issuing and physical cards.
• Spending limits and merchant category controls.
• Real-time authorization and transaction webhooks.
• Integration with Stripe Connect and supported financial account products.
• API documentation and a testing environment.

Pricing: From $0.10 per virtual card and $3.50 per standard physical card under Stripe's published US pricing. Transaction, international payment, and other fees may apply.

Pros: Stripe offers detailed API documentation, testing tools, and integration with its existing payment products.

Limitations: Issuing availability depends on the country and card program. Stripe Connect alone doesn't give sellers access to cards or financial accounts — these features require separate eligibility and approval.

See also our guide to Stripe Issuing alternatives to compare other card issuing platforms.

Airwallex combines card issuing with multi-currency accounts and international payments.

You can create connected seller accounts, manage multi-currency wallets, and issue cards in supported markets.

Best for: Marketplaces working with international sellers and multiple currencies.

Key features:

• Virtual and physical card issuing.
• Connected Accounts API.
• Multi-currency wallets and currency conversion.
• International payouts and internal transfers.
• Account verification and transaction reporting.

Pricing: Custom quote.

Pros: Airwallex lets you manage cards, currency conversion, and international payouts through one provider.

Limitations: Card issuing requires an eligible connected account and program approval. It's available only in supported markets, even though Airwallex offers payouts to a much wider range of countries.

Marqeta lets you control how and when card payments are approved. Its Just-in-Time Funding technology lets businesses fund approved transactions when they happen.

DoorDash uses Marqeta for its Red Card program. When a Dasher pays for an order, the system checks the merchant and amount against the order before approving the payment.

Best for: Delivery marketplaces and platforms that need to control payments for individual orders.

Key features:

• Virtual and physical card issuing.
• Just-in-Time Funding.
• Real-time authorization decisions.
• Merchant and spending restrictions.
• Card management and transaction data via API.

Pricing: Custom quote.

Pros: You can check the merchant and transaction amount against an order before approving the payment.

Limitations: Marqeta focuses on card issuing and payment processing. If your marketplace also needs seller wallets, payment acceptance, or payouts, you may need additional services.

See also our comparison of Marqeta alternatives for different card issuing needs.

Lithic lets you issue cards and set authorization rules for individual cards, accounts, or entire card programs.

Best for: Marketplaces with a development team that wants detailed control over card payments.

Key features:

• Instant virtual cards and physical card issuing.
• Authorization Rules for merchants, countries, and spending.
• Auth Stream Access for custom approval decisions.
• Transaction webhooks.
• Sandbox for API testing.
• Rule testing and performance reports.

Pricing: Custom quote.

Pros: You can build custom authorization rules, test them before launch, and apply different restrictions to individual cards or entire programs.

Limitations: You'll need to confirm issuing availability for your target countries and arrange the appropriate funding setup. Seller payouts and marketplace payment acceptance may require additional integrations.

See also our guide to Lithic alternatives to explore other API providers.

CardsPro suits existing marketplaces and apps that need virtual card issuing through an API. It offers multiple BINs, USD and EUR support, USDT funding, and API integration starting from 14 days.

Adyen and Airwallex combine card issuing with seller accounts and payouts. Airwallex also supports multi-currency accounts and international transfers.

If your marketplace already uses Stripe Connect, you can add card issuing through Stripe Issuing.

Marqeta offers more control over individual payments, including Just-in-Time Funding and real-time authorization. Lithic provides detailed spending rules and flexible APIs for building custom card programs.

Before choosing a provider, check whether it supports your sellers' countries, card funding model, and required payment controls. Also compare integration costs and technical support — not just card issuance fees.

If your company sells on Amazon, Walmart, Etsy, or other marketplaces, you can use virtual cards to manage business expenses. Issue separate cards for employees, departments, purchases, or advertising campaigns. Set spending limits and track expenses for each card instead of sharing one corporate card.

You can also fund cards with USDT if your provider supports it. Learn more in our guide to Virtual Crypto Cards for Business.