TLDR:
- Infini halted all U Card functions on June 17, citing operational losses and compliance issues.
- Users were surprised as promotions ran days before the shutdown, sparking confusion.
- Infini will pivot to decentralized finance tools and stablecoin payment integration.
- Rising regulatory scrutiny continues to challenge crypto card models across the sector.
Infini, once behind China’s leading crypto card, abruptly ended its U Card service. The company, previously seen as a growing player in crypto finance, blamed compliance costs, zero profits, and complex operations for the closure.
Users had just seen new promotions days before, adding to the surprise when services halted without warning.
Although deposits and other core services remain active, all card-related functions were immediately discontinued. This shutdown signals deeper problems in the crypto card sector, despite rising interest in digital payments.
Infini Sudden Closure Leaves Users Shocked
According to Wu Blockchain, on June 17, Infini announced it would halt all U Card operations without advance notice. This included its Global, Lite, and Tech cards, which stopped accepting both new applications and transactions.
Infini stated that user assets remain safe, and all card issuance fees would be refunded within 21 business days.
The company clarified that withdrawals, deposits, and its Earn yield services will continue. The decision, according to Infini, came after a sharp rise in regulatory pressure and unsustainable operations. Less than two weeks before, Infini executives were actively promoting the U Card, further confusing users.
Why Did China’s Most Popular Crypto Card Suddenly Shut Down?
Infini, once the issuer of China’s most popular crypto card U Card, abruptly shut down the service citing unsustainable compliance costs, zero revenue, and high operational burdens. Despite previous growth and unique… pic.twitter.com/0mhbKToGQr
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) June 23, 2025
Infini’s co-founder Junzhu explained that maintaining a crypto card program had become impossible under current conditions.
He revealed that the consumer-facing card business took 99% of company resources but produced no income. He noted that stablecoin-to-fiat payments still depend heavily on traditional rails, making the system inefficient and costly.
Junzhu added that competing with Web2 card providers without external subsidies is unrealistic. He admitted that Infini, despite its low fees and flexible yields, could not match cashback or fee models seen in traditional finance.
Pivot to Decentralized Finance Ahead
Following the shutdown, Infini will now shift its focus toward wealth management and decentralized payment tools.
According to the team, the U Card model still relied on centralized structures that are hard to scale in today’s market. The new direction aims to explore more efficient ways to integrate stablecoins into everyday payments.
This pivot mirrors past failures in the space, such as OneKey’s discontinued U Card. Junzhu also mentioned earlier consultations with OneKey during product development.
Some speculate the move might connect to investigations around other card-based services, like WildCard, which helped users access platforms like OpenAI with virtual cards. While Infini did not cite this directly, industry watchers believe regulatory tightening could extend beyond one company.
Despite the shutdown, Infini insists that user funds remain intact. The firm maintains that this closure marks a transition rather than a retreat, as it moves away from unsustainable card models into scalable crypto finance.
The post China’s Crypto Card Issuer Infini Ends Services Suddenly: Here’s Why appeared first on Blockonomi.
Source: https://blockonomi.com/chinas-crypto-card-issuer-infini-ends-services-suddenly-heres-why/