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HalocardvsStatesCard

A US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries

One prepaid Visa debit card with an assigned US billing address

StatesCard is closed to new accounts, and customers report lost balances

As of October 2026, StatesCard's sign-up page says it is temporarily not accepting new accounts due to maintenance. Since November 2024, customers have reported cards that stopped working, balances they couldn't spend or get refunded, the monthly fee still being charged, and support emails going unanswered into 2026.

Checked 10 October 2026

Halocard is the better choice over StatesCard for almost everyone, and the only one of the two you can sign up for today. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with a separate card for each merchant, a billing address you choose on every card, and Apple Pay and Google Pay for paying in person. StatesCard is not accepting new accounts, and reviewers report cards that stopped working in November 2024. Even when it was open, StatesCard was a narrow fit: one prepaid card with an assigned US address, built for paying US streaming services and app stores from abroad.

Halocard pros and cons

  • Pros: A US-issued Visa credit card that works like a debit card
  • Pros: A separate card for each merchant, with limits you control
  • Pros: Any billing address you choose, on each card
  • Pros: Apple Pay and Google Pay, plus a physical card for paying in person
  • Pros: Fund by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto
  • Pros: For residents of the US and 120+ countries
  • Cons: No free plan, though Essential is free with 3 referrals
  • Cons: A minimum first deposit to activate your account

StatesCard pros and cons

  • Pros: Low $3.95 monthly fee
  • Pros: No credit check
  • Pros: A US billing address included
  • Cons: Not accepting new accounts
  • Cons: A prepaid card that some merchants decline
  • Cons: One card number for everything, online only
  • Cons: Load fees of 5% to 8.5% on every top-up
  • Cons: No withdrawals or refunds once the card is issued

Halocard vs StatesCard compared

Five differences account for most of the gap: whether you can sign up, how each card is classified at checkout, how many cards you get, how you move money onto them, and what control you have once the money is there. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries; StatesCard is one prepaid card for US streaming and app stores.

Availability

HalocardAdvantage: For residents of the US and 120+ countriesStatesCardNot accepting new accounts
Open to new customersHalocardYesStatesCardNot supported
Customers outside the USHalocard120+ countriesStatesCardYes, when open
Credit checkHalocardNoneStatesCardNone
Identity checkHalocardPassport or national ID, under 3 minutesStatesCardID and video selfie, reviewed by hand

Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries. Outside the US? You don't need an SSN, a US address or a US bank account. StatesCard is not accepting new accounts: its sign-up page says it is temporarily closed for maintenance, and reviewers have reported cards that stopped working since November 2024. See supported countries

Card type

HalocardAdvantage: US-issued Visa credit cardStatesCardPrepaid Visa debit card
Card networkHalocardVisaStatesCardVisa
Issued inHalocardThe USStatesCardThe US, by a bank it doesn't name
Cards per accountHalocard3 to 60, by planStatesCardOne card number
Merchants that refuse prepaid cardsHalocardNot affectedStatesCardDeclined
3D Secure codesHalocardYesStatesCardYes

StatesCard issues a prepaid debit card, and its own support centre acknowledges that some merchants and services decline prepaid cards outright. Halocard works like a debit card: you spend the balance you load, with no credit line and no credit check, but merchants see a Visa credit card, which clears the checks many SaaS platforms, AI services and ad accounts run against prepaid cards. Check merchant acceptance

Billing address

HalocardAdvantage: Any address you choose, on each cardStatesCardOne assigned address in Delaware
US billing addressHalocardYesStatesCardYes
Address outside the USHalocardYesStatesCardNot supported
Custom cardholder nameHalocardYesStatesCardUnknown
VPN recommended by the providerHalocardNoStatesCardYes

Every Halocard can carry a billing address you nominate, in the US or anywhere in the world, and a cardholder name you choose, which is what US-only checkouts verify. StatesCard assigns every card the same Delaware address and recommends a VPN so merchants see a US location to match. Set a card's name and address

Funding

HalocardAdvantage: Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Transfer, Stablecoins & CryptoStatesCardCard, PayPal or European bank methods
Bank transferHalocardUSD, CAD, EUR or GBPStatesCardBancontact, EPS, iDEAL, P24 and Sofort
Debit or credit cardHalocardVisa, MastercardStatesCardYes, 7.5% + $0.30 a load
PayPalHalocardNot supportedStatesCardYes, 8.5% + $0.30 a load
StablecoinsHalocardUSDC, USDTStatesCardNot supported
CryptoHalocardBTC, ETH, SOLStatesCardNot supported
Load limitsHalocardSpend up to $1M a dayStatesCard$100 a month by card, $500 balance cap
Withdraw your balanceHalocardYesStatesCardNot supported

Halocard keeps one balance you top up by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto. Halocard balances can be withdrawn to a supported withdrawal method. StatesCard loads by card, PayPal or a set of mostly European bank methods, each with a percentage load fee, caps card loads at $100 a month and the balance at $500, and refunds nothing once a card is issued. Using it with crypto exchanges, money transfer services or digital wallets is against its policy. See how to deposit

USD bank account

HalocardAdvantage: Your own US account and routing numberStatesCardNone
Your own account and routing numberHalocardYesStatesCardNot supported
Receive ACH transfersHalocard1 to 3 business daysStatesCardNot supported
Receive same-day ACHHalocardYesStatesCardNot supported
Receive domestic wiresHalocardThe same dayStatesCardNot supported
Send ACH and wire transfersHalocardYesStatesCardNot supported

Halocard includes a US bank account with its own account and routing numbers, so you can receive salary, transfers from friends and family, and any other payment you'd send to a US checking account. ACH transfers arrive in 1 to 3 business days and domestic wires the same day, straight into your Halocard balance and ready to spend. StatesCard is a single prepaid card with no account behind it: you load it by card, PayPal or a few European bank methods, and balances can't be withdrawn once the card is issued. Send and receive USD payments

In-person payments

HalocardAdvantage: Physical card, plus Apple Pay and Google PayStatesCardNone
Physical cardHalocardFree with any annual plan or $100 on a monthly planStatesCardNot supported
Apple Pay and Google PayHalocardEvery cardStatesCardNot supported
MerchantsHalocard175M+ wherever Visa is acceptedStatesCardOnline only

Every Halocard can go in Apple Pay and Google Pay for tap-to-pay anywhere Visa is accepted, and you can add a physical card, free with any annual plan or $100 on a monthly plan. StatesCard's documentation says its card can't be used in person or added to a digital wallet. Set up Apple Pay and Google Pay

Controls

HalocardAdvantage: Daily, weekly or monthly limits on each cardStatesCardNone
Per-card spending limitsHalocardDaily, weekly or monthlyStatesCardNot supported
Lock or cancel a cardHalocardInstantStatesCardSuspend; the monthly fee still applies
Single-use cardsHalocardAnnual plans, from 2 a monthStatesCardNot supported
A separate card per merchantHalocardYesStatesCardNot supported

With StatesCard, one card number covers every subscription, store and service, and the only limit is what you load. Halocard lets you set daily, weekly or monthly limits on each card, lock or cancel any card instantly, and choose the billing address and cardholder name on each card, so stopping one subscription never touches the rest. See card spending limits

Pricing

HalocardAdvantage: From $12 a month, no setup feeStatesCard$16.99 to issue, then $3.95 a month, plus load fees
Setup feeHalocardNoneStatesCard$16.99
Monthly feeHalocardFrom $12StatesCard$3.95
Load feesHalocardListed on the pricing pageStatesCard5% + $0.30 to 8.5% + $0.30
Purchases in USDHalocardNo feeStatesCardNo fee
Purchases in other currenciesHalocard1.5% + $0.30StatesCardUnknown
Referrals pay for your planHalocard3 referrals cover EssentialStatesCardNot supported

StatesCard has the lower monthly fee, and for one low-volume subscription that can work out cheaper. Its load fees change the picture: loading $100 by credit card costs $7.80 each time, on top of a one-time $16.99 issuing fee, and the monthly fee comes out of your card balance. A lower price also doesn't help if you can't spend your balance or your card stops working. Halocard plans are $12, $15 and $75 a month with no setup fee and no fee on US-dollar purchases, and Essential is free with 3 referrals. See all Halocard fees

Support

HalocardAdvantage: Chat, email, and phone on every planStatesCardEmail only
ChatHalocardYesStatesCardNo
EmailHalocardYesStatesCardYes
PhoneHalocardYesStatesCardNo

Halocard answers by chat, email, and phone on every plan. StatesCard answers only by email, and reviewers in 2026 describe getting no reply. Visit the help centre

Trust and transparency

HalocardAdvantage: A regulated US company and card issuerStatesCardNo company, bank or founder named
Company and countryHalocardHalocard LLC, USAStatesCardNo legal entity named
Registration or licenceHalocardFinCEN, BSA ID 31000317046430StatesCardNone published
Card issuerHalocardThird NationalStatesCardAn unnamed US bank
Account held atHalocardSSB, Member FDICStatesCardNot published
Founders namedHalocardEdward TaylorStatesCardNot published
FoundedHalocard2024StatesCardNot published
TrustpilotHalocard4.2/5 (11 reviews)StatesCard2.1/5 (57 reviews)

StatesCard names no company, bank or founder, and is closed to new accounts. Its 2.1/5 rating from 57 reviews is dominated by dead cards and stuck balances. Halocard names its company, card issuer, account bank and founder. About Halocard

What StatesCard reviewers report

Rated 2.1/5 on Trustpilot from 57 reviews. The most common complaints:

Balances stranded on dead cards

Reports of balances trapped on cards that stopped working.

Promised service is not provided

“Promised service is not provided. Card number doesn't show, therefore I'm unable to recover lost funds. … Cancelling the card is impossible (specially without forfeiting funds).”

Trustpilot review, 19 July 2026

Same as other people's comments...Scam

“I have a balance with this company because my card expired/ or was revoked by the bank and they wont/can't issue a new card. They also don't answer support requests.”

Trustpilot review, 6 June 2026

No replies, no refunds

Users describe unanswered emails and refunds that never arrived.

I used Statescard for a while, but it now seems to have closed its business

“Now my card is unusable and I can get no reply from support at statescard.com having sent them several emails since 3 April 2026. … Previously I communicated with support at statescard.com and received quick replies.”

Trustpilot review, 13 April 2026

and to add to my previous comments

“If you don't cancel, they will just keep replying how they are waiting for card issuer to reactivate or refund your money.”

Trustpilot review, 12 February 2026

Why people choose Halocard over StatesCard

Credit card classification, not prepaid

The most consequential difference is how each card is classified at checkout. StatesCard's own help centre lists merchants and services that don't accept prepaid cards. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card, which clears a broader range of merchant and platform checks. For anyone who has watched a payment fail for reasons that had nothing to do with available funds, this is usually the deciding factor.

Multiple cards for multiple services

With StatesCard, one card number covers everything. If it is compromised, or you want to stop one subscription without disturbing the others, you have limited options. Halocard gives each service its own card, with its own limit and its own lock, so cancelling one subscription never touches the rest.

Broader use beyond streaming

StatesCard is built around unlocking US streaming and app stores. Halocard covers that and goes further: AI and cloud platforms, Google Ads, Meta Ads, TikTok Ads, and X Ads, recurring bills, and in-person payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Funding that fits how you pay

Fund by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto, rather than card and PayPal loads alone. Halocard balances can be withdrawn to a supported withdrawal method, where StatesCard refunds nothing once a card is issued.

Human support and ongoing access

Reach a real person by chat, email, and phone on every plan. For a payment method that sits underneath your subscriptions, response times matter.

Key drawbacks of StatesCard

Closed to new accounts

StatesCard's sign-up page says it is temporarily not accepting new accounts due to maintenance, while its marketing pages still invite you to get a card.

Cards that stopped working in November 2024

Reviewers describe cards that stopped working, support blaming the card issuer, and balances they couldn't spend. Refund experiences vary, and reports of stuck balances and unanswered emails continue through 2026.

A prepaid card some merchants refuse

StatesCard's own support centre acknowledges that some merchants and services decline prepaid cards, and it recommends a VPN so your location matches the card's US origin.

Fees on every top-up

Every load costs 7.5% + $0.30 by card, 8.5% + $0.30 by PayPal or 5% + $0.30 by bank, the monthly fee is taken from your card balance, and balances can't be withdrawn once the card is issued.

About Halocard

Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with a separate virtual card for each merchant you pay. Halocard works like a debit card: you spend the balance you load, with no credit line and no credit check. It is built for online shopping, subscriptions, AI tools, advertising and everyday payments, and cards work at more than 175M merchants, online and in person through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Create cards in seconds from a web browser, set daily, weekly or monthly limits on each card, lock or cancel any card instantly, and choose the billing address and cardholder name on each card. Fund your balance by debit/credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, bank transfer, stablecoins, or crypto. Verification takes under 3 minutes with a passport or national ID. Outside the US? You don't need an SSN, a US address or a US bank account. Halocard cards are issued by Third National, a Non-Bank Principal Member of the Visa Network.

About StatesCard

StatesCard is a virtual card service that issues a prepaid Visa debit card together with an assigned US billing address in Delaware. It is marketed at people living outside the United States who can't complete payments with US digital services because their own card carries a non-US billing address.

Accounts are opened online with no credit check: you pay a one-time $16.99 card issuing fee plus $3.95 a month, then load funds by credit or debit card, PayPal, or one of several European bank payment methods. Each account gets a single card number. StatesCard's own documentation says the card can't be used in person, recommends a VPN so your location matches the card's US origin, and prohibits use with crypto exchanges, money transfer services and digital wallets. As of October 2026, StatesCard is not accepting new accounts.

Halocard vs StatesCard FAQ

Is Halocard better than StatesCard for online shopping?
For most shoppers, yes. Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, and its credit card classification, daily, weekly or monthly limits on each card and custom billing addresses give it broader merchant acceptance and tighter control than a single prepaid card. StatesCard is not accepting new accounts in any case.
Is StatesCard still accepting new customers?
No. As of October 2026, StatesCard's sign-up page says it is temporarily not accepting new accounts due to maintenance. Halocard is open for customers in the US and 120+ countries.
What are some good alternatives to StatesCard?
Halocard is the closest direct alternative: Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries, with custom billing addresses, a separate card for each merchant, and sign-up from anywhere it operates. Other options in the category include US Unlocked and Privacy.com, though Privacy.com is limited to US residents.
How do I pay for US streaming services from outside the US?
You need a US-issued card that the service accepts, usually with a US billing address. Halocard provides both: a US-issued Visa credit card with a billing address you nominate yourself, and a separate card for each streaming service.
Which virtual card has the lowest fees?
It depends on how you use it. StatesCard has a lower monthly fee but adds load fees of 5% to 8.5% to every top-up and a one-time $16.99 issuing fee. Halocard charges a flat monthly plan from $12 with no setup fee and no fee on US-dollar purchases, and Essential is free with 3 referrals.
How can I get a US virtual card for free?
Halocard's referral program can cover your plan: Essential is free with 3 referrals, and every friend you refer earns you $5 to $25 a month for every friend you refer, for up to 12 months.
Is there a virtual card with no activation fee?
Yes. Halocard charges no setup or activation fee, only the monthly or annual plan. StatesCard charges a $16.99 issuing fee at sign-up.
What are two downsides of using a prepaid card?
Prepaid cards are declined by a meaningful number of merchants, subscription services and platforms that screen for prepaid card ranges. They also offer little protection if the card program itself is disrupted, since the balance sits with the program rather than in an account in your name.
Does either card work with cryptocurrency?
Halocard accepts funding by stablecoins (USDC, USDT) and crypto (BTC, ETH, SOL). StatesCard prohibits use with cryptocurrency exchanges, money transfer services and digital wallets, and a breach can mean the card is closed without a refund.
Can I use these cards for in-person payments?
Halocard cards can be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay and used at contactless terminals anywhere Visa is accepted, and you can add a physical card, free with any annual plan or $100 on a monthly plan. StatesCard's documentation says its card can't be used in person.
Do I need a VPN to use a US virtual card?
A US virtual card and a VPN solve two different problems: the card passes the billing address check at checkout, and a VPN gets past the location block some US platforms enforce separately. Depending on the platform you may need one, both or neither. StatesCard recommends a VPN for every US payment, because merchants that see a mismatch between the card's US origin and your location may decline it. Halocard doesn't ask you to use one.
Does StatesCard work with streaming services?
It did for many users before November 2024: older reviews describe it working for HBO Max, Hulu, Spotify and ESPN+. Results were inconsistent even then, with declined payments where a service refused prepaid cards. StatesCard is not accepting new accounts today. Halocard works with streaming services as a US-issued Visa credit card, with a separate card for each one.
Is Halocard a credit card or a debit card?
Halocard is a credit card: Halocard is a US-issued Visa credit card for customers in the US and 120+ countries. Halocard works like a debit card: you spend the balance you load, with no credit line and no credit check. That gives it better acceptance than prepaid cards at US merchants.
How do I compare US virtual cards?
Focus on what affects whether you can pay: whether the card is truly US-issued, whether it is a credit or prepaid card, the total of setup, monthly and load fees, how reliably it works according to recent reviews, how easily you can fund it, and whether you can reach support when something breaks.

Sources

  • StatesCard, sign-up page: account.statescard.com/account/signup
  • StatesCard, pricing: statescard.com/pricing
  • StatesCard, why StatesCard: statescard.com/why-statescard
  • StatesCard Support, pricing and fees breakdown: support.statescard.com/article/24-statescard-pricing-and-fees-breakdown
  • StatesCard Support, loading limits: support.statescard.com/article/40-statescard-loading-limits
  • StatesCard Support, withdrawing funds: support.statescard.com/article/29-can-i-withdraw-funds-from-my-statescard
  • StatesCard Support, merchants that don't accept prepaid cards: support.statescard.com/article/28-merchants-or-services-do-not-accept-pre-paid-cards
  • StatesCard Support, digital wallets and money transfer services: support.statescard.com/article/26-can-statescard-be-used-with-digital-wallets-money-transfer-services
  • StatesCard Support, 3D Secure: support.statescard.com/article/38-does-statescard-support-3d-secure
  • Trustpilot, StatesCard reviews: trustpilot.com/review/statescard.com
  • Reddit, r/Roadkillshow on StatesCard and geo-blocking: reddit.com/r/Roadkillshow/comments/pecsxz/has_anyone_tried_statescard_or_similiar_prepaid

Disclaimer

Based on public information as of October 2026 (see Sources above); StatesCard's products, fees and terms may change, so check before you decide. Halocard publishes this page and makes one of the products compared, so verdicts and ticks are our opinion. StatesCard and its product names are trademarks of their owner, used only to identify its products; Halocard is not affiliated with or endorsed by StatesCard. Quoted reviews are verbatim Trustpilot excerpts of individual experiences, not verified by us. Not financial, legal or tax advice.

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