In Argentina, Western Union and Pago Fácil have launched a Visa-branded prepaid card in collaboration with Pomelo. This initiative is part of efforts to expand digital money movement options within the country.

The introduction of this new product aims to enable recipients of remittances or loans to access funds via a digital account rather than collecting cash physically, thereby reducing reliance on physical currency and promoting safer transactions.

Main Features of the New Prepaid Card

This prepaid card allows users to receive money directly into an account, make both online and in-person payments, and manage spending without needing a traditional bank relationship. Users can obtain the card through Western Union’s local network, which is expected to facilitate adoption among individuals who currently handle cash transactions.

According to Pomelo officials, their role involved customising an end-to-end technical solution for the launch. This included capabilities such as card issuance and processing, transaction authorisation tools, and integration with the Visa network. Pomelo also provided BIN sponsorship, which was crucial in allowing the product to enter the market without requiring separate licences from Western Union or Pago Fácil.

Besides technical support, additional assistance included the development of customised fraud-prevention measures, reporting tools aligned with operational requirements, and guidance on regulatory processes. Pomelo representatives highlighted that these components were designed to enable Western Union and Pago Fácil to focus primarily on distribution and commercial deployment while Pomelo handled infrastructure and operational scalability.