A declined payment is frustrating, especially at a checkout with a queue behind you. With a stablecoin-funded card, the cause is almost always one of a handful of situations, and most can be fixed in minutes. Work through this list before contacting support.
1. The top-up has not arrived yet
Reloads with USDT or USDC are usually spendable within minutes, but only after the blockchain transfer is confirmed and credited. Check the balance in the card application, not in your wallet. If a transfer is stuck, confirm in your wallet’s transaction history that it was sent on the network shown in the app.
2. The balance does not cover fees
The amount available for a purchase is not the whole balance. Each purchase carries a transaction fee ($0.35 + 1.5% on the virtual cards, $0.10 + 1.5% on Physical Card Plus) and, for non-USD payments, a 1.5% FX fee. A balance of exactly $100 may not be enough for a $100 bill. See our fee guide.
3. A limit was reached
Every card has daily and per-transaction limits. Virtual Card Basic allows $20,000 per transaction, $240,000 per day and $900,000 per month. Virtual Card Plus and Physical Card Plus allow $60,000 per transaction and $900,000 per day, with no monthly limit. ATM withdrawals on Physical Card Plus are capped at $3,000 per day and $80,000 per month. Our limits guide explains how they work.
4. The merchant category is prohibited
Card programmes block some categories regardless of balance. Agora cards cannot be used for gambling, cryptocurrency purchases, sports betting, petrol, military supplies, gaming credits, non-profit organizations or government agencies. Fuel stations and crypto exchanges are the most common surprises.
5. You are in an unsupported region
Cards cannot be used in the unsupported regions. Virtual Card Plus and Physical Card Plus are also unavailable in Morocco, the United States, Bangladesh, India and Turkey, where Virtual Card Basic remains available. Some merchants also block cards issued outside their country.
6. A virtual card at an ATM or card-only terminal
Virtual cards cannot withdraw cash, and they cannot be used at terminals that only accept an inserted or swiped card. Use the phone wallet at a contactless terminal, or use Physical Card Plus.
7. A hotel or rental pre-authorization
Hotels, car-rental companies and some self-service machines place a temporary hold larger than the final bill. If the hold exceeds your balance, the payment is declined even though the final amount would fit. Load a buffer before check-in.
8. Phone wallet problems
Apple Pay and Google Pay support depends on the wallet provider’s country, device and issuer requirements. If tapping fails but the card details work online, remove and re-add the card in the wallet, check the device has a screen lock, and try again.
9. Wrong card details or billing address online
Online shops often check the expiry date and security code, and some check address fields. Copy the details directly from the application and avoid autofill from an old card.
10. The merchant’s own system
Some merchants decline prepaid or foreign-issued cards, and offline terminals cannot authorize at all. If other merchants accept the card, the issue is probably on the merchant’s side.
Still declined?
Note the time, amount and merchant name, then contact Agora’s 24/7 private human support. Never share your wallet seed phrase or full card details in a support chat; no legitimate support agent will ask for them.