Marqeta vs Nium Physical and Virtual Cards

Marqeta provides a configurable card issuing and payment processing platform for businesses building payment programs. It supports debit, prepaid, credit, and flexible credentials in physical, virtual, and tokenized card forms. Programs can set transaction-level rules and adjust spend controls in real time, alongside capabilities for accounts, payments, transfers, and cash access. Risk tools include KYC, real-time decisioning, 3D Secure, and disputes. Developers can use APIs, SDK tools, documentation, and a sandbox to build card programs. Cards can be provisioned to Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Marqeta describes an ecosystem of bank, network, fintech, banking, consulting, and integration partners. Its Trust Center lists PCI DSS, SOC 1, and SOC 2 certifications, with controls tested by independent auditors; customers may still retain PCI compliance responsibilities. Program services include 24/7 cardholder support, card fulfillment, and compliance management. Product support varies by jurisdiction, and pricing is on request.

Nium Physical and Virtual Cards lets businesses issue physical, virtual and digital cards funded by fiat or stablecoins. Programs can apply spending limits, permissions and merchant controls, with rules for channels, geographies, merchant categories and transaction types. Cards connect to consumer or corporate wallets, where funds are loaded, held and spent in real time. Teams manage activity and statements through APIs or Nium’s web portal. Visa, Mastercard and Discover are supported depending on market and program setup. Listed controls include 3DS, tokenization, lifecycle management, fraud-risk tools and chargeback support for eligible disputes. Nium describes uses in corporate spend and procurement, payouts and disbursements, and travel or hotel payments. Compliance support includes onboarding, KYC workflows, transaction monitoring, fraud-risk management and dispute management. Developers receive APIs, SDKs, guides, a production-like sandbox, OpenAPI specification and Postman collection. Card issuing can connect with Nium wallets, balances, FX and payouts. Pricing and program terms are on request. Issuance is limited to approved countries, with a maximum of 1,000 active or locked cards per customer and potentially lower program limits.