Paysafecard

Paysafecard is a closed-loop prepaid online payment method based on vouchers with a 16-digit PIN code. It is independent of bank accounts, credit cards, or other personal information.

Customers can purchase vouchers at local sales outlets (such as gas stations or newsstands) and pay online by entering the code at the checkout of the respective website (e.g., in online games).

 Geographical extension 
As of 2023, PaysafeCard is issued in approximately 50 countries—covering most of Europe and North America, Australia and New Zealand, and some countries in Western Asia and South America.

Countries where PaysafeCard is available include:
 Americas: Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, United States, and Uruguay.
 Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
 Other: Australia, Georgia, Kuwait, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

 History 
PaysafeCard was founded in 2000 in Vienna, Austria, by four founders including Armin Sageder. It was originally established as paysafecard.com Wertkarten AG. IBM Austria served as the technical partner, providing the original hardware and expertise.

In 2005, the company received EU funding under the eTEN program for electronic services. By 2008, its subsidiary Prepaid Services Company Ltd. was granted an EU-wide e-money license by the British Financial Services Authority (FSA), allowing it to issue electronic money throughout the European Union.

 Acquisitions 

 2011: Acquired Dutch competitor Wallie.
 2013: Acquired by Skrill, one of Europe's largest payment providers.

 2014: Skrill acquired British competitor Ukash and merged it into the PaysafeCard brand.
 2015: Optimal Payments acquired the Skrill Group and rebranded the entire organization as Paysafe Group.
 2021: Completed the acquisition of viafintech, the developers of the viacash (formerly Barzahlen) payment system.

 References 

Category:2000 establishments