The virtual Phantom debit card lets you spend CASH held in your Cash account online, in apps, and in stores wherever Visa is accepted. You can also add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay.
When you make a payment, Bridge (our partner) draws CASH from your Cash account, converts it to USD, and the merchant is paid like a standard Visa transaction.
The card is available in the US only (except NY) and requires identity verification.
Add your virtual card to Apple Pay or Google Pay
- Open the Cash tab, or tap the Cash section on the Home tab.
- Tap the card symbol in the upper right.
- Tap Add to Apple Wallet or Add to Google Pay.
- Follow the prompts.
Use your virtual card
Make sure your Cash account is funded before making a payment. You can pay in the following ways:
- Online or in-app: Select Visa at checkout and enter your card details, or use Apple Pay or Google Pay.
- In-store: Tap to pay using Apple Pay or Google Pay at contactless terminals.
- Manual entry: Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVV when prompted.
Manage your virtual card
To manage your card, open the Cash tab and select your card.
- Set or change your PIN: Some merchants require a PIN at checkout. Select Set PIN or Change PIN to create one.
- Lock your card: If your card is lost or compromised, select Lock Card to temporarily disable it. Select Unlock Card to re-enable it.
Daily limits
The default daily spending limit is $2,000. You can request an increase to $5,000 per day by contacting Phantom Support.
Authorization holds
Some merchants (like gas stations or hotels) place temporary holds that may exceed your purchase amount. The unused portion is returned to your Cash account once the transaction settles.
Authorization holds typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours but can last up to 30 days. Some merchants, such as hotels, may hold for longer.
| Merchant type | Typical hold duration |
|---|---|
| Gas stations | Same day to 72 hours |
| Restaurants and bars | Within 24 hours |
| Spas, salons, and service businesses | 24 to 48 hours |
| Parking garages | 24 to 72 hours |
| Subscriptions and free trials | Within 24 hours |
| Airlines and travel agencies | 5 to 7 days |
| Online retailers | 1 to 7 days |
| Healthcare | 1 to 7 days |
| Rental cars | 3 to 10 business days after return |
| Hotels and lodging | 3 to 7 business days after checkout |
| Cruise lines | Up to 30 days |
FAQ
Common issues
I can't activate my Phantom debit card
If more than 24 hours have passed since your identity was verified (KYC), the activation prompt may have expired. Contact Phantom Support first. If we confirm you need to restart, follow these steps:
- Create a new Phantom wallet.
- Complete KYC again using a different email address.
- Return to the Cash tab and activate your card immediately after approval.
I was asked for a PIN at checkout
By default, your Phantom debit card has no PIN set. Most US merchants don't require a PIN for contactless or credit-style transactions, but some may still prompt for one.
If you're asked for a PIN and haven't set one, you can usually press Enter or skip to proceed. If the terminal requires a PIN, open the Cash tab, tap your card, then tap Change PIN to set one before retrying.
My Phantom debit card was declined
| Reason | What to do |
|---|---|
| Merchant not supported | Some merchant categories aren't supported for regulatory and fraud prevention reasons, including gambling, crypto purchases, gift card reloads, cash advances, and ATM withdrawals. Try a supported merchant. If you think the decline was an error, contact Phantom Support. |
| Insufficient funds | Some merchants (restaurants, hotels) place temporary holds higher than your bill. Keep your balance at least 20% higher than your expected bill. Holds release automatically once the merchant finalizes the charge. |
| Money transfer limit reached | Peer-to-peer money transfer services such as Cash App, Apple Cash, and Venmo are supported up to $500 per week. If your transaction was declined, you may have reached this limit. Try again after your weekly limit resets, or use a different payment method. |
| Spending limit reached | The default daily limit is $2,000, with an option to increase to $5,000. Check your recent activity to confirm. To request a higher limit, contact Phantom Support. |
| Network or processing issue | A temporary error occurred. Try again, or wait a few minutes and try another merchant. If the issue continues, contact Phantom Support. |
My Phantom debit card was declined but I was charged
A temporary authorization hold may appear while the transaction settles. Holds reverse automatically within a few business days once the merchant finalizes or cancels the transaction. If the hold has not reversed within five business days, contact Phantom Support and we can help initiate the dispute process with Galileo.
I want to dispute a transaction
To formally dispute a transaction, call the number in the card details section in Apple Pay, Google Pay, or the Phantom app. Disputes are handled by Galileo, our card processor, who manages the end-to-end investigation process directly with you. Once a dispute is submitted, Galileo will correspond with you directly for any written communication related to the case.
You must submit a dispute within 60 days of becoming aware of the transaction. After that window, you may not be able to recover the disputed funds.
The payment amount changed after checkout
Some merchants place authorization holds that may change after checkout, for example after you add a tip. The final amount updates once the merchant settles the transaction. If it has not settled within five business days, contact Phantom Support.
I received a refund but it hasn't appeared in my Cash account
Refunds are processed by the merchant through the card network and typically appear within a few business days. If the original transaction is still showing as pending, the merchant cannot issue a true refund yet. The hold will drop automatically once it expires.
If the merchant has confirmed the refund and more than 10 business days have passed, contact Phantom Support with your transaction details.