How Echlon cards work

Balances backing cards, stablecoin settlement, card networks, authorization vs settlement, FX at purchase, and fees.

How Echlon cards work — technical details

How Echlon cards work under the hood — stablecoin settlement, merchant rails, and real-time conversion.

How card payments work

When you spend online or tap your Echlon card, here's what happens in milliseconds:

  1. Authorization — The merchant sends an authorization request through the Visa network.
  2. Spending-power check — Echlon checks your card's available spending power.
  3. Conversion — If the merchant charges in a non-USD currency, the amount is converted at the current FX rate plus a foreign exchange fee of up to 2%.
  4. Settlement — Your card balance is debited. The merchant receives fiat through standard card network settlement.

Why crypto rails for cards?

  • True ownership — Your card balance is held in a smart contract attached to your digital non-custodial wallet, not in an account controlled by Echlon or card issuer. See Wallets & keys for more details.
  • Global acceptance — Accepted wherever Visa is accepted, in any supported merchant currency.
  • Real-time FX — Conversion happens at the moment of purchase, not days later when the charge settles.

Spend controls

Because settlement is on-chain and programmable, Echlon cards support granular controls:

  • Per-transaction limits
  • Daily/monthly spend caps
  • Instant lock/unlock

Virtual cards

Virtual
IssuedInstantly
Use caseOnline purchases, subscriptions, in-store (tap from your phone wallet app)
Backed byYour card balance

On-chain transparency

Every card transaction is reflected as an on-chain USDC movement from your card balance wallet. You can verify any charge on a Solana block explorer if you want full transparency beyond the dashboard view.

  • Cards — Virtual cards, spend controls, and fees (user guide)
  • Account architecture — Wallets, card addresses, and DeFi deposits on-chain
  • Fees & limits — FX spreads, transfer fees, and account limits

Still need help?

Have a question that isn't answered here? See our support channels, message us on WhatsApp at +1 (787) 468-5842, or open a support ticket — we typically respond within 24 hours.

Questions? [email protected]

Echlon is operated by Echlon Ltd.

Echlon is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services, including currency conversion and settlement, are provided by licensed partners. Echlon does not hold or custody user funds.

Yield figures (e.g. "up to 6.5% APY") are illustrative and not guaranteed. Actual rates may vary and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Treasury products may involve technology risk, including smart contract risk. Only allocate funds you can afford to expose to these risks.

FX rates, transfer times, and fee estimates displayed on this site are representative and may vary by corridor, payment rail, and transaction size. Actual rates and settlement times are confirmed before each transaction. "Same day" settlement is available on select corridors and rails and is not guaranteed for all transfers.

Services may not be available in all jurisdictions. Account approval is subject to identity verification and compliance review. See our risk disclosure and terms of service for full details.