Lithic
Developer-first card issuing platform for fintechs to launch debit, prepaid, and credit programs via API.
Overview
Lithic is a developer-first card issuer processing platform that provides the infrastructure for companies to create, manage, and scale virtual and physical payment card programs. Through a REST API and SDKs (Node, Python, Go, Java, Kotlin, Ruby), customers can issue debit, prepaid, charge, and revolving credit cards for consumers and businesses, with real-time authorization controls, fraud management, and settlement reporting built in. The platform offers direct connections to Visa, Mastercard, and American Express and supports 99.99%+ uptime at scale. As of 2024, Lithic had processed over $10 billion in total volume and supported more than 100 high-growth brands. Lithic operates in two core modes: a fully program-managed service (Lithic handles bank, network, and regulatory compliance via its sponsor bank relationships — Patriot Bank for Privacy.com programs and Stearns Bank added January 2026) and a processing-only mode (customers bring their own bank relationship and use Lithic for issuing, ledgering, and settlement). Key features include Authorization Stream Access (ASA) webhooks for custom approval logic, 3DS 2.0 integration, Apple Pay / Google Pay tokenization, multi-currency settlement (USD, CAD, GBP, EUR), and Level 2/3 commercial data. The company targets fintech software platforms, neobanks, B2B spend management tools, vertical SaaS, and marketplace companies. Key differentiators include transparent public pricing, a self-serve sandbox for fast onboarding, modular architecture mixing Lithic services with third-party components, and deep operational experience from running its own consumer card product (Privacy.com) for over a decade. In late 2024, Lithic launched a Commercial Revolving Credit API, expanding beyond prepaid and debit into full credit card issuance.
Key features
- Virtual and physical card issuance
- Real-time authorization controls (ASA)
- 3DS 2.0 authentication integration
- Apple Pay and Google Pay tokenization
- Multi-currency settlement (USD/CAD/GBP/EUR)
- Level 2/3 commercial card data support
Vertical focus
fintech, saas, b2b, ecommerce, marketplaces
Notable customers
Mercury, Novo, Parker, Order.co, Privacy.com
At a glance
| Category | cards |
|---|---|
| Model | ["api","sdk","managed_service"] |
| Pricing | ["transaction_fee","platform_fee"] |
| Best company size | ["startup","smb","growth","enterprise"] |
| Time to launch | weeks |
| Technical complexity | medium |
| PCI scope | reduced |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Funding stage | series_c |
| Website | https://lithic.com |
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