Zilch to Launch Its First-Ever Physical Payment Card in Partnership with Visa

Fintech firm expands access to its ad-subsidised BNPL services as it looks beyond digital wallets

British fintech unicorn Zilch has announced the upcoming launch of its first physical payment card through a strategic partnership with Visa, marking a significant step in broadening its appeal beyond digitally native users.

The move aligns with Zilch’s mission to increase accessibility to its advertising-subsidised Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform, as it aims to tap into the large segment of UK consumers—reportedly around 80% of adults—who still prefer using physical cards and cash over digital wallets.

Having recently surpassed five million customers, Zilch plans to offer the physical card to its existing user base, complementing its digital card offering and enabling functionality for transactions like hotel check-ins and car rentals that often require traditional card formats.

“Today’s announcement is about scaling reach, deepening utility, and setting the stage for the next era of Zilch,”said Philip Belamant, co-founder and CEO of Zilch.

“This move will allow us to fully deploy our ad-enabled payments technology across both digital and physical retail, bringing measurable savings to consumers and margin efficiencies to merchants.”

Zilch's unique model allows customers to "pay over time" with zero interest, while generating revenue through ads served at the point of transaction—an approach designed to offer financial inclusivity while keeping user costs low. Learn more about how it works on

Zilch Physical Card

The fintech firm, which achieved its first month of operating profit in September 2024, has temporarily paused its planned U.S. expansion to focus on strengthening its position and profitability within the UK market.

Visa’s UK and Ireland Managing Director, Mandy Lamb, expressed strong support for the initiative:

“Fintechs are shaping the future of commerce and we’re proud to support UK unicorns such as Zilch with their growth ambitions as they provide innovative services to consumers and businesses, while driving financial inclusion through their core offering.”

The launch of the physical card is expected to further entrench Zilch’s presence in both in-store and online payments, giving users the flexibility to pay how they choose while benefiting from rewards, split payments, and budget control via the Zilch app. BlocBerg delivers facts, not hype. Stay informed—subscribe for weekly insights straight from the source.