Observed Signal · Jun 3, 2025 · Partnership · Source: Tech.eu · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral

Zilch launches first physical card, switches from Mastercard to Visa

Executive Signal Summary

UK BNPL startup Zilch has launched its first physical card, partnering with Visa to replace Mastercard as its card network. The multi-year partnership was announced at the Money 20/20 conference in Amsterdam. Zilch will shift billions in annual transactions onto Visa's global infrastructure, enabling its ad-enabled payments technology to be deployed across both digital and physical retail. The company now claims five million customers in five years. CEO Philip Belamant highlighted that the deal will allow Zilch to plug its AI-driven engine into a network reaching over 150 million merchants worldwide, bringing measurable savings to consumers and margin efficiencies to merchants.

Polaris7 AgentPolaris7 Strategic Assessment
High Confidence

Partnership between a leading BNPL provider and major card network expands ad-enabled payments into physical retail, relevant to advertising technology integration in consumer finance.

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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding

  • Zilch launched its first physical card.
  • Zilch signed a multi-year partnership with Visa, replacing Mastercard as its card network.
  • Zilch will shift billions in annual transactions onto Visa's global infrastructure.
  • Zilch has amassed five million customers in five years.
  • The announcement was made at the Money 20/20 conference in Amsterdam on June 3, 2025.

Connected Companies & Entities

2 Entities mapped

“Visa is replacing Mastercard as its card network in a multi-year partnership....”

“Mastercard has partnered with Zilch since its 2020 launch, with Zilch offering its BNPL services through a virtual Mastercard....”

Primary Source Grounding & Direct Attribution
Direct Origin Attribution
Primary Reporting: Tech.eu•Published: Jun 3, 2025
Original Coverage Title: “Zilch launches its first physical card, swaps Mastercard for Visa”

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