Author

Dan Brightmore

Published

13 June 2025

Estimated Read time

3Mins

Building on a long-term partnership, Klarna will leverage Marqeta’s platform and the Visa Flexible Credential to expand payment options for Klarna’s new debit card 

Marqeta, the global modern card issuing platform enabling embedded finance solutions, has announced it is working with Klarna. It will enable the global digital bank and flexible payments provider’s new debit card. The debit card is powered by Visa Flexible Credential (VFC) that allows access to built-in flexible payment options.  

Klarna powered by Visa Flexible Credential and Marqeta

In July 2024, Marqeta became the first issuer processor in the US certified for Visa Flexible Credential. With VFC, Marqeta will enable Klarna customers to pay immediately or pay later when needed, all on the same card. This milestone builds on years of collaboration between Marqeta and Klarna. Including powering Klarna’s virtual cards in the US since 2018. The card is currently in a trial phase in the US, with a broader rollout expected later this year. 

“The future of payments is flexible. We’re proud to enable this new offering together with Visa,” said Rahul Shah, Chief Product and Engineering Officer at Marqeta. “Our ongoing partnership with Klarna is a true testament to what’s possible with Marqeta’s platform. And how we enable our customers to grow and innovate at global scale.”  

With its flexible card issuing platform, Marqeta makes it possible for global leaders like Klarna to expand to new markets. And offer innovative payment options tailored to evolving customer needs. Marqeta currently supports Klarna in six countries, helping to drive global growth and deliver seamless, consumer-first experiences.  

“Through our continued partnership with Marqeta and Visa, we’re evolving the Klarna Card into a truly dynamic and versatile payment experience,” said David Sandström, Chief Marketing Officer, Klarna. “We’re excited to continue innovating alongside Marqeta as we scale the Klarna Card to provide smart, seamless payments that empower smarter, more informed shoppers everywhere.” 

About Marqeta 

Marqeta makes it possible for companies to build and embed financial services into their branded experience. And unlock new ways to grow their business and delight users. The Marqeta platform puts businesses in control of building financial solutions, enabling them to turn real-time data into personalized, optimized solutions for everything from consumer loyalty to capital efficiency. With compliance and security built-in, Marqeta’s platform has been proven at scale, processing nearly $300 billion in annual payments volume in 2024. Marqeta is certified to operate in more than 40 countries worldwide. Visit www.marqeta.com to learn more. 

About Klarna 

Klarna is a global digital bank and flexible payments provider. With over 100 million global active Klarna users and 2.9 million transactions per day, Klarna’s AI-powered payments and commerce network is empowering people to pay smarter with a mission to be available everywhere for everything. Consumers can pay with Klarna online, in-store and through Apple Pay in the U.S., UK and Canada. More than 724,000 retailers trust Klarna’s innovative solutions to drive growth and loyalty, including Uber, H&M, Saks, Sephora, Macy’s, Ikea, Expedia Group, Nike and Airbnb. For more information, visit Klarna.com. 

About Visa 

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at  Visa.com. 

  • Digital Payments
  • Neobanking

Author

Dan Brightmore

Published

28 October 2024

Estimated Read time

4Mins

Marqeta Flex is being developed with payments platform Branch and payment providers Klarna and Affirm, enabling real time and customised BNPL options for consumers.

Marqueta, the global modern card issuing platform that enables embedded finance solutions for the world’s innovators has launched Marqeta Flex. Launched at Money20/20 the innovative new solution revolutionises the way Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) payment options can be delivered inside payment apps and wallets. It surfaces them at the moment of need within an existing payment flow.

Marqueta Flex BNPL Solution

Marqeta Flex is being developed with leading payment providers Klarna and Affirm and payments platform Branch. Branch, a key innovation partner, plans to integrate the solution into its payments app for W-2 and 1099 workers. It enables end users to easily access BNPL loan options catered to their individual needs.

“Marqeta Flex is about building upon the transformational impact that BNPL has had over the last decade. It can help consumers access these options intuitively from inside an even greater range of payment experiences,” said Simon Khalaf, Marqeta’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to partner with industry-leading BNPL players Klarna and Affirm in the space. We can give consumers more choice in how they pay for every transaction they want to make.”

Marqeta has already partnered to support the exponential growth of BNPL solutions, bringing pay over time options to millions of consumers globally. Furthermore, Marqeta Flex is poised to bring even further syndication to the BNPL space. The solution expands the distribution of BNPL while personalising the experience for shoppers. It is providing them with access to BNPL options when they need them. It supports some of the largest BNPL solutions and card issuers today. Marqeta is uniquely positioned to recognise the opportunity for expanded BNPL distribution and how it allows for enhanced payment capabilities and greater consumer choice.

BNPL Benefits

The intended benefits of Marqeta Flex for consumers, payment providers and issuers include:

  • Consumers: With Marqeta Flex, consumers will be guided to the BNPL options that can meet their needs. They get access to personalised BNPL options inside of the payment apps they use most often.
  • Payment Providers: Marqeta Flex expands BNPL distribution. Allowing payment providers that offer pay over time options to benefit from even greater access to consumers and higher transaction volumes.
  • Card issuers and digital wallets: Marqeta Flex is a powerful solution for digital wallets and card issuers. Allowing them to drive payment volume by incorporating multiple BNPL offerings into the transaction experience that can be customized to user preferences. With a single integration with Marqeta Flex, they’ll have access to a variety of global BNPL providers, increasing the speed at which they can build and launch card solutions that offer flexible payment methods, including custom and user-friendly BNPL loan options.

“We’re thrilled to be building this with Marqeta and innovating how BNPL can be applied,” said Ahmed Siddiqui, Chief Payments Officer at Branch. “We look forward to giving the workers we serve even greater payment access and choice.”

Marqeta Flex is intended to be fast and simple for consumers. Moreover, when launched, the user will choose the Pay Later option within their payment app and be provided with personalised BNPL payment plan options.

About Marqeta 

Marqeta makes it possible for companies to build and embed financial services into their branded experience. Furthermore, it helps unlock new ways to grow businesses and delight their users. The Marqeta platform puts businesses in control of building financial solutions. It enables them to turn real-time data into personalised, optimised solutions for everything from consumer loyalty to capital efficiency. With compliance and security built-in, Marqeta’s platform has been proven at scale, processing more than $200 billion in annual payments volume in 2023. Marqeta is certified to operate in more than 40 countries worldwide and counting.

About Branch

Branch is the leading workforce payments platform that helps businesses deliver fast, flexible options for workers to get paid. Whether it’s sending earnings to employees or contractors, companies choose Branch. They know that faster payments can help them strengthen worker loyalty, save time and money, and drive business growth. Moreover, earners that sign up with Branch can receive quick access to earnings, rewards, and personal finance tools to help them manage their cash flow between pay cycles. Additionally, Branch partners with the nation’s leading companies in hospitality, healthcare, gig platforms & marketplaces, and staffing services. Branch has been honoured with a Webby Award. Best Financial Services, FinTech Breakthrough Award, Gartner Eye on Innovation: Financial Services, and Great Place to Work Certification. To learn more about Branch, visit https://www.branchapp.com 

  • Embedded Finance