xpate has agreed a partnership with London-based fintech Bilder to add card-based top-ups for faster account funding on Bilder's platform.
The integration lets Bilder customers add money instantly using payment cards, available 24/7. It also supports users outside the eurozone, reflecting Bilder's focus on customers with cross-border needs.
Fintech platforms are increasingly turning to third-party infrastructure as they expand product sets and enter new markets. Many now assemble services from specialist providers rather than building each element in-house. This approach is particularly common in payments, onboarding and account services, where speed and uptime directly affect the customer experience.
Bilder offers multi-currency banking and payment services for individuals and businesses, including multi-currency accounts, international payments, currency exchange and payment cards. Founded in 2015, it operates as a UK Financial Conduct Authority-authorised electronic money institution.
xpate provides payment processing and multi-currency account functions within a single system, working with digital businesses and other fintech providers. Under the partnership, XPate supplies the infrastructure for card-based funding within Bilder's product.
Instant funding
Account funding is a frequent point of friction for customers who need rapid access to balances for spending, bill payments, payroll or settlement. Card top-ups can speed access by bypassing some delays associated with bank transfers. Always-on availability has also become a clearer requirement as users manage finances across time zones and outside traditional banking hours.
For platforms serving internationally active users, operational complexity often sits alongside expectations for fast access to funds. Providers must also meet compliance and security requirements while maintaining reliability across multiple payment types and geographies.
"At Bilder, we focus on making financial services simpler and more accessible. xpate helps us do exactly that," said Dmitry Kuvshinov, Executive Officer at Bilder.
The project was framed as part of a broader shift towards modular product development in financial services. Specialist infrastructure providers have gained prominence as fintechs balance time-to-market pressures with the cost and complexity of building payments and account systems in-house.
Infrastructure partnerships
Partnership models have become a defining feature of the current fintech landscape. Card funding, account issuance, compliance tooling and cross-border payment connectivity often come from different providers, which fintechs then combine into a single customer experience. This structure can speed up product releases and expand regional coverage, but it also increases dependencies on third parties and requires careful integration and monitoring.
Bilder and xpate described the arrangement as an infrastructure-layer integration designed to improve access to funds across borders. The card top-up option is available online and operates continuously, serving customers who need to move money outside core banking hours or manage multiple currencies while travelling or trading internationally.
"Building modern financial services is about strong partnerships that solve real operational challenges," said Katia Puchkova, Chief Operating Officer at xpate.
"Our goal is to support fintech companies like Bilder with the technology that allows their customers to fund accounts quickly and reliably, wherever they are operating and without adding complexity to their operations," Puchkova said.
The companies did not disclose commercial terms. They also did not provide transaction volumes, the size of Bilder's user base, or the range of cards supported for top-ups.
The move highlights pressure on fintechs to deliver near-instant services that match consumer digital expectations. Cross-border commerce and remote work have increased the number of customers who expect multi-currency services and uninterrupted access to balances.
Xpate and Bilder said the integration is at an early stage. Bilder reported improved operational efficiency following implementation, and both expect instant funding to increase customer activity as usage grows.
The partners plan to continue developing the relationship as Bilder expands services for customers operating across multiple regions and currencies.