Marqeta is a modern card issuing platform powering $112B+ in annual total processing volume (TPV) across multi-currency programs globally. Our platform enables businesses to issue cards that support seamless spending, holding, and settlement in multiple currencies from a single account—helping fintechs, digital banks, and global enterprises deliver borderless payment experiences at scale.
In today's global economy, customers expect seamless, borderless experiences—whether they're dining in Paris, streaming content from Seoul, or managing business expenses across continents.
Multi-currency card issuing is the ability to issue payment cards that can transact, hold balances, and settle in multiple currencies. This involves managing three key currency types: the local amount (the transaction currency at the point of sale), the billing amount (posted to the cardholder's account), and the settlement amount (transferred between issuer and merchant).
For financial platforms and card issuers, meeting these expectations introduces complexity. How do you offer a frictionless multi-currency experience while maintaining control, transparency, and cost-efficiency?
At Marqeta, we help modern card programs go global with confidence by enabling powerful multi-currency capabilities that support a wide range of use cases, from international commerce to digital nomad banking.
Understanding the currency triad: What happens during a transaction?
Every transaction on a card network typically involves three currencies:
- Transaction currency: The currency in which the merchant charges the customer
- Cardholder billing currency: The currency used to bill the cardholder or reflect their account statement
- Settlement currency: The currency used to settle the transaction between the card issuer and the network
Without the right infrastructure, these conversion points can lead to increased costs, customer confusion, and operational challenges. Marqeta simplifies this complexity, offering solutions that give issuers full control over currency handling and cross-border activity.
Marqeta's multi-currency capabilities
- Multi-currency wallets: Hold and manage multiple currencies in one place, linked to both virtual and physical cards for flexible global spending.
- Virtual and physical cards: Issue cards tied to multi-currency wallets, allowing users to spend in different currencies from a single account.
- Simplified currency exchange: Load multiple currencies onto a single card, eliminating the need for separate accounts or cards for different regions. Just-in-Time (JIT) funding enables external logic for multi-currency transaction authorization.
- Real-time transactions across borders: Process transactions in real time, including ATM withdrawals and online purchases, across currencies and countries.
- Integration with card networks: Work with Visa and Mastercard to process transactions globally with consistency, reliability, and reach.
- Developer-friendly API access: Build custom, multi-currency experiences through open APIs with complete programmatic control over balances, transactions, and data.
- Global reach with local impact: Certified to operate in over 40 countries, enabling card issuance and international transactions without local entities.
Two program models: Comprehensive management vs. modular processing
Marqeta offers flexibility in how you structure your multi-currency card program:
Comprehensive program management: Through our TransactPay capabilities, we provide full program management including bank, network, and regulatory relationships, plus fully licensed e-money capabilities to support multi-currency virtual accounts. This model is ideal for businesses seeking an end-to-end solution with BIN sponsorship, card fulfillment, fraud management, and dispute resolution handled by Marqeta.
Modular issuer processing: For organizations with existing banking relationships or specific infrastructure requirements, our processing platform integrates with your chosen partners while providing the multi-currency capabilities you need.
Use cases across industries
- International money transfers: Power digital wallets and remittance platforms with multi-currency card capabilities
- Cross-border payments: Enable seamless B2B and B2C transactions across regions
- Global payroll: Distribute payments to international workforces in local currencies
- Travel and expense management: Support corporate travelers and digital nomads with real-time multi-currency spending
- Global ecommerce: Enable consumers to shop internationally without currency friction
Advanced capabilities that set Marqeta apart
Multi-currency settlement
Avoid network FX rates and reduce cross-border costs by settling in multiple currencies, as per the currencies supported for your program (these depend on your bank issuing partner). This not only lowers operational expenses but can also improve economics for your cardholders.
Multi-account options
No need to issue more than one card to a user when you can link multiple accounts (A2A) to one card/digital wallet.
Cross-border issuing
Issue cards in multiple regions without physical presence, enabling expansion into new markets and support for remote-first customers.
Advanced customization options
Build customer portals that give users visibility and control over their currency balances, spending preferences, and transaction history. Enhance personalization at scale.
Enhanced data and analytics
Marqeta's DiVA API enables real-time transaction monitoring. Track usage patterns, optimize FX conversion, and improve program design with actionable insights.
Intuitive Admin dashboards
Operational teams get centralized tools to manage approvals, monitor currency-specific activity, and ensure consistency across markets.
Compliance and risk controls
Access built-in tools for fraud detection, AML checks, and FX regulation compliance, even across multiple jurisdictions. Our European platform is built to meet local regulatory requirements, including PSD2 and GDPR, with SEPA Credit and SEPA Instant connectivity covering more than 40 member countries.
Trusted by leading global brands
Marqeta powers hundreds of companies, including fintech leaders like Square, Klarna, Uber, DoorDash, and Coinbase. We've teamed up with Western Union to integrate our solution into their next-generation real-time multi-currency digital wallet and digital banking platform in Europe—demonstrating our capabilities for complex, global-scale multi-currency programs.
Where we're headed next
Improved currency support for settlement
We're enhancing our settlement capabilities with more granular controls across issuing files, reconciliation, and dashboard visibility.
Seamless migration to multi-currency
Already managing a single-currency card program? Transitioning to multi-currency doesn't have to be complex. Marqeta's portfolio migration service, powered by our proprietary migration engine, ensures:
- Smooth transfer of cardholder data and balances
- Zero to minimal program downtime
- Full data integrity across currencies and historical transactions
Why multi-currency matters more than ever
Customers no longer think in national borders, and neither should your card program. Whether you're supporting global freelancers, international travelers, or cross-border ecommerce, the ability to manage and spend in multiple currencies is becoming essential.
With Marqeta, you're not just issuing cards. You're building a modern, global, customer-first experience with:
- Real-time transaction controls
- Transparent FX handling
- Developer-ready APIs
- Scalable tools for global expansion
The future of global spending is multi-currency. Marqeta makes it easy to build for it.
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