Klarna and Marqeta are launching a brand new debit card powered by Visa Versatile Credential (VFC), permitting customers to pay now or later with the identical card.
The Klarna Card marks a shift from BNPL-only into mainstream funds, which helps shoppers’ demand for versatile, app-connected spending instruments.
The launch helps Klarna’s pre-IPO progress technique, which incorporates partnerships with Clover and Walmart as the corporate continues to mull its public debut.
BNPL big Klarna has teamed up with card issuing platform Marqeta to energy the Klarna Card: a brand new debit card powered by Visa Versatile Credential (VFC) that gives versatile cost choices.
This growth follows Marqeta’s transfer in July of 2024 to change into the primary issuer processor within the US licensed for VFC. Utilizing VFC, Marqeta will allow Klarna Card customers to pay on the time of the transaction, or to pay later utilizing the identical card. Klarna is presently trialing the Klarna Card and plans to roll it out to a broader US consumer base later this yr.
This isn’t the primary collaboration between Marqeta and Klarna, who first teamed up in 2018 when Marqeta agreed to energy Klarna’s digital playing cards within the US. Since then, the 2 firms have expanded and Marqeta now helps Klarna in six nations.
“The way forward for funds is versatile, and we’re proud to allow this new providing along with Visa,” stated Marqeta Chief Product and Engineering Officer Rahul Shah. “Our ongoing partnership with Klarna is a real testomony to what’s doable with Marqeta’s platform and the way we allow our prospects to develop and innovate at world scale.”
Releasing the Klarna Card is a notable evolution for Klarna, shifting its focus from short-term BNPL loans into mainstream spending habits. By enabling “pay now” or “pay later” decisions on the identical card, Klarna and Marqeta are blurring the strains between credit score and debit by providing a single, versatile product that caters to shoppers’ expectations for management and selection at checkout.
Klarna isn’t the primary BNPL participant to increase into card-based merchandise. California-based Affirm launched its personal debit+ card in 2021 and only in the near past surpassed two million debit playing cards.
Marqeta was based in 2009 to offer infrastructure and instruments to assist firms construct and handle their very own cost applications. The corporate permits builders to launch and scale new applications with flexibility. Headquartered in California, Marqeta processed virtually $300 billion in annual funds quantity in 2024.
“By way of our continued partnership with Marqeta and Visa, we’re evolving the Klarna Card into a very dynamic and versatile cost expertise,” stated Klarna Chief Advertising Officer David Sandström. “We’re excited to proceed innovating alongside Marqeta as we scale the Klarna Card to offer good, seamless funds that empower smarter, extra knowledgeable consumers all over the place.”
The information announcement comes as Klarna has been strategically ramping up its public presence in preparation for going public. Whereas the corporate postponed its IPO plans earlier this yr, it has partnered with Clover for in-store BNPL, signed an settlement to function Walmart’s BNPL supplier, and introduced that it reached 100 million energetic shoppers in April 2025.
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