Hello innovator
All you need to know to build and launch your own card programme, but with reference made to the wider payment ecosystem for useful context.
You see a card programme.
We see endless possibilities.

The payments ecosystem offers a rich seam of untapped potential, presenting significant opportunities to aspiring card programme owners.
To help businesses make the best start, we’ve developed Demystifying Cards – the complete guide to payments and cards. In it you’ll find a wealth of information about how to establish or strengthen your position in a rapidly expanding market. The guide can be read from start to finish, or you can simply dip in and out of relevant sections.
Demystifying cards
Read the complete guide to payments and cards to build a modern, competitive card programme that puts your business in the vanguard of digital payments innovation.
1. Introduction
Understand why Marqeta developed Demystifying Cards – the complete guide to payments and cards and how it will help you to establish or strengthen your position in a rapidly expanding market.
2. How we got here
What is the context of the card and payments landscape? Learn how the sector evolved into the trillion dollar industry it is today.
3. Card types
Here we talk about the crucial differences between prepaid, debit, credit, physical and virtual cards – there’s a lot more nuance than you might think.
4. The card ecosystem
The bedrock of the card ecosystem is the ‘four-party model’. It’s the industry’s accepted framework for processing digital or physical card payments between buyers and sellers. Discover its various elements and where they sit.
5. Card programme: Key components
Learn about the fundamental components and building blocks essential to your card programme’s success before and after it launches.
6. The licensing question
Understand the different types of operating licences, where roles and responsibilities overlap and which options might work best for your unique product roadmap.
7. Key costs in building your card programme
Discover how various micro and macro costs within the transaction flow can affect margins once your card programme is live.
8. Monetising your card programme
Every card programme needs to turn a profit, and there are different ways to generate income. Learn about the most common ways card programmes can drive revenue.
9. Fraud, decisioning and authorisation
Know how to shield your card programme from fraud. This section will help you understand how to build protective agility and processes using instant rule set changes.
10. Launching a card programme
Find out the steps needed to launch a card programme, whether it’s licensed, BIN Sponsored or programme managed.
11. A World of opportunity
Now that your programme’s up and running, your commercial model is working, and your brand is building, what happens next? Let’s take a look at expansion into new markets.
12. Jargon buster
Get up to speed on all the general and regularly used terms in the world of card programmes and payments.
13. Additional resources
This collection of links, books, influencers, websites and associated content will help you plan your journey into the world of card issuing.