The Issuing API supports three card account modes: prepaid, asset-link, and fixed-limit. Each mode operates differently and is suited for different use cases. Understanding these modes helps you choose the right option for your business needs.
Overview
Card account modes determine how funds are managed, how spending limits are set, and how repayments are handled. The mode is set when creating a card account and cannot be changed after creation.
| Mode | Funding Method | Credit Limit | Repayment Method | Best For |
|---|
| Prepaid | Direct top-up | Balance-based | N/A (pre-funded) | Simple, quick setup |
| Asset-Link | Backing account assets | Asset value-based | Automatic asset liquidation | Multi-currency, flexible assets |
| Fixed-Limit | Credit account | Fixed predetermined limit | Settlement account | Credit products, predictable limits |
Prepaid Mode
Prepaid mode is the simplest card account type. Cards are pre-funded with the card account currency, and spending is deducted directly from the card account balance until funds are depleted.
How It Works
Key Characteristics
- Funding: Direct top-up using the
/cardaccounts/topup endpoint
- Credit Limit: Always zero (balance-based spending only)
- Available Balance: Equal to the card account balance
- Repayment: Not applicable (pre-funded model)
- Currency: Single currency (matches card account currency)
Account Structure
Benefits
- Simple Setup - No additional accounts or complex configurations required
- Quick Implementation - Fastest way to issue cards
- Predictable - Spending limited to available balance
- No Credit Risk - No outstanding balances or repayments
Considerations
- Manual Top-ups - Requires regular funding to maintain spending ability
- Single Currency - Must match card account currency
- No Credit Facility - Cannot spend beyond available balance
Use Cases
Prepaid mode is ideal for:
- Gift cards - Fixed value cards for recipients
- Expense management - Controlled spending with pre-allocated funds
- Quick deployment - Fast card issuance without complex setup
- Budget control - Strict spending limits based on available balance
API Example
{
"accountType": "prepaid",
"currency": "USD",
"cardholder": {
"firstName": "John",
"lastName": "Doe"
}
}
POST /cardaccounts/topup
{
"accountId": "source-account-id",
"cardAccountId": "card-account-id",
"amount": 1000.00,
"currency": "USD"
}
Asset-Link Mode
Asset-link mode provides a credit facility backed by assets in a linked account. The credit limit is determined by the value of assets in the backing account, and repayments are automatically settled through asset liquidation.
How It Works
Key Characteristics
- Funding: Assets deposited into the backing account
- Credit Limit: Dynamically calculated from asset value in backing account
- Available Balance: Credit limit minus outstanding balance
- Repayment: Automatic asset liquidation when repayment is triggered
- Currency: Multi-currency support (assets can be in different currencies)
Account Structure
Benefits
- Multi-Currency Assets - Support for various asset types and currencies
- Automatic Repayment - Assets liquidated automatically when needed
- Flexible Funding - Use diverse assets (crypto, fiat, etc.)
- Deferred Liquidation - Assets remain in original form until repayment
Considerations
- Complex Setup - Requires managing backing account and assets
- Asset Volatility - Credit limit fluctuates with asset values
- Monitoring Required - Track asset values to ensure sufficient backing
- Liquidation Timing - Asset conversion happens at repayment time
Use Cases
Asset-link mode is ideal for:
- Crypto-backed cards - Use cryptocurrency holdings as credit backing
- Multi-currency portfolios - Leverage diverse asset holdings
- Wealth management - Access credit without liquidating investments
- Flexible repayment - Automatic settlement from asset portfolio
API Example
{
"accountType": "asset-link",
"currency": "USD",
"assetLink": {
"accountId": "backing-account-id"
},
"cardholder": {
"firstName": "Jane",
"lastName": "Smith"
}
}
POST /accounts/{accountId}/add-assets
{
"assets": [
{
"currency": "BTC",
"amount": "0.5"
},
{
"currency": "USD",
"amount": "10000"
}
]
}
Fixed-Limit Mode
Fixed-limit mode provides a predetermined credit limit that remains unchanged regardless of asset values. Repayments are settled through a designated settlement account rather than automatic asset liquidation.
How It Works
Key Characteristics
- Funding: Credit limit from credit account (not directly funded)
- Credit Limit: Fixed predetermined amount (set at creation)
- Available Balance: Credit limit minus outstanding balance
- Repayment: Manual transfer from settlement account
- Currency: Single currency (matches card account currency)
Account Structure
Benefits
- Predictable Limits - Fixed credit limit doesn’t fluctuate
- Stable Credit - Not affected by asset value changes
- Control Repayment - Manual settlement timing and amount
- Credit Products - Suitable for traditional credit card products
Considerations
- Setup Complexity - Requires credit account and settlement account
- Manual Repayment - Repayments must be initiated manually
- Credit Account Limits - Total limits across all cards cannot exceed credit account balance
- Settlement Management - Must maintain sufficient funds in settlement account
Use Cases
Fixed-limit mode is ideal for:
- Traditional credit cards - Fixed credit limits like conventional cards
- Credit products - Predictable credit facilities
- Corporate cards - Controlled credit limits for employees
- Stable credit lines - Credit unaffected by asset volatility
API Example
{
"accountType": "fixed-limit",
"currency": "USD",
"limit": 10000,
"creditAccount": ["credit-account-id"],
"settlementAccount": "settlement-account-id",
"cardholder": {
"firstName": "Bob",
"lastName": "Johnson"
}
}
POST /cardaccounts/{cardAccountId}/repay
{
"amount": 3000.00,
"currency": "USD",
"fromAccountId": "settlement-account-id"
}
Mode Comparison
Quick Decision Guide
Choose Prepaid if:
- You need the simplest setup
- You want to avoid credit risk
- You can manage regular top-ups
- You’re issuing gift cards or prepaid cards
Choose Asset-Link if:
- Your clients have diverse asset portfolios
- You want automatic repayment from assets
- You need multi-currency support
- You want deferred asset liquidation
Choose Fixed-Limit if:
- You need predictable credit limits
- You’re building traditional credit products
- You want manual control over repayments
- You need stable credit unaffected by asset values
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Prepaid | Asset-Link | Fixed-Limit |
|---|
| Setup Complexity | Simple | Complex | Moderate |
| Credit Limit | Balance-based | Asset value-based | Fixed predetermined |
| Funding Method | Direct top-up | Asset deposit | Credit account |
| Repayment | N/A | Automatic liquidation | Manual settlement |
| Multi-Currency | No | Yes | No |
| Asset Flexibility | No | Yes | No |
| Limit Stability | Stable | Volatile | Stable |
| Credit Risk | None | Moderate | Moderate |
| Best For | Gift cards, prepaid | Crypto-backed, wealth | Traditional credit |
Account Balance Fields
Understanding balance fields helps you work with each mode correctly:
| Field | Prepaid | Asset-Link | Fixed-Limit | Description |
|---|
balance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Current account balance (negative = outstanding) |
limit | Always 0 | Asset value | Fixed amount | Credit limit assigned |
outstanding | N/A | Yes | Yes | Amount owed (asset-link & fixed-limit only) |
available | Balance | Limit - Outstanding | Limit - Outstanding | Spendable amount |
Balance Examples
Prepaid Account:
{
"balance": 500.00,
"limit": 0,
"available": 500.00,
"outstanding": null
}
{
"balance": -2500.00,
"limit": 40000.00,
"available": 37500.00,
"outstanding": 2500.00
}
{
"balance": -3000.00,
"limit": 10000.00,
"available": 7000.00,
"outstanding": 3000.00
}
Mode Selection Workflow
Important Notes
Mode Cannot Be Changed: The accountType is set when creating the card account and cannot be modified after creation. Choose carefully based on your long-term needs.
Check Balance Fields: Use the available field to determine spendable amount. For prepaid accounts, available equals balance. For credit accounts, available = limit - outstanding.
Next Steps
