AquaFutures Payment Methods: Credit Card, Crypto, and What to Know

Written by Paul

Published on

January 12, 2026

AquaFutures accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and debit cards for subscription and one-time payments. Cryptocurrency payments may be available through third-party processors, but availability varies by region and account type. Wire transfers and PayPal are typically not supported for individual accounts.

Quick heads-up: This article is based on my real experience with Aquafutures and the info available when I published/updated this. Things change in prop trading — rules, payouts, promos, all of it.

For the absolute latest, check Aquafutures´s website or their faq page.

Credit cards are the primary payment method—fast processing, instant account activation, and easy recurring billing for subscription accounts. If your card is declined, common issues include insufficient funds, international transaction blocks, or card issuer restrictions on trading-related purchases.

I'm breaking down which payment methods work, how to set up billing, what to do if your payment is declined, whether crypto is truly accepted, international payment considerations, and how to update or change payment methods.

Accepted Payment Methods

Payment Method	Processing Time	Notes
Credit Card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)	Instant	Primary method, auto-renewal supported
Debit Card	Instant	Works like credit cards
Cryptocurrency (varies)	15-60 minutes	Through third-party processors, availability varies
Wire Transfer	1-3 business days	Typically not available for individual accounts
PayPal	N/A	Not supported (as of 2026)

Credit cards are the most reliable option. Crypto and wire transfers work but add complexity and delays.

For full pricing details, see the pricing guide 2026.

How to Pay With Credit/Debit Card

Step 1: Select Your Account Type

During signup:

Choose Beginner ($114/month), Standard ($196/month), or Instant ($291 one-time)
Click "Subscribe" or "Purchase"

Step 2: Enter Card Details

Billing form requires:

Card number (16 digits)
Expiration date (MM/YY)
CVV/CVC (3-digit security code on back of card)
Billing address (must match card statement address)
Cardholder name

Step 3: Verify Billing Address

Your billing address must match your card issuer's records exactly:

Same street address
Same city/state/zip
Same country

Mismatched addresses trigger fraud detection and decline the payment.

Step 4: Submit Payment

Click "Pay Now" or "Complete Purchase"

Immediate processing:

You'll see "Payment Successful" within 5-10 seconds
Confirmation email sent to your registered email
Account activates within 24 hours (usually instant)

If declined:

Error message appears: "Payment declined" or "Card not authorized"
No account is created
See troubleshooting section below

Step 5: Verify Auto-Renewal Settings

For subscription accounts:

Check that auto-renewal is enabled (default)
Your card will be charged on the same date each month
Cancel anytime before renewal to stop future charges

For subscription cancellation, see the cancel subscription guide.

Cryptocurrency Payments: What You Need to Know

AquaFutures may accept cryptocurrency through third-party payment processors (Coinbase Commerce, BitPay, etc.).

Supported cryptocurrencies (if available):

Bitcoin (BTC)
Ethereum (ETH)
USDT/USDC (stablecoins)

How crypto payments work:

Select "Pay with Crypto" during checkout
Choose your cryptocurrency
Receive a payment address and amount
Send exact amount from your wallet
Wait for blockchain confirmation (15-60 minutes)
Account activates after payment confirms

Crypto payment considerations:

❌ Slower processing: 15-60 minutes vs instant credit card

❌ Price volatility: Exchange rate fluctuates between quote and payment. You might pay slightly more/less than expected.

❌ No refunds: Crypto payments are typically non-reversible. If you breach immediately, you can't chargeback.

❌ Network fees: You pay blockchain transaction fees (gas fees) on top of the AquaFutures subscription cost.

✅ Privacy: No credit card details shared

✅ International access: Works in countries where credit cards are restricted

Important: Verify crypto payment availability with AquaFutures support before attempting. Not all account types support crypto.

Why Credit Card Payments Get Declined

1. Insufficient Funds

Your card doesn't have enough available credit or balance to cover the charge.

Fix: Use a different card with sufficient funds.

2. International Transaction Block

Many card issuers block international transactions by default (AquaFutures may process payments through international processors).

Fix:

Call your card issuer: "I'm trying to make a payment to AquaFutures. Can you allow international transactions?"
Ask them to whitelist the specific merchant
Retry payment

3. Fraud Protection Triggered

Card issuer's fraud algorithm flagged the transaction as suspicious (trading-related purchases sometimes trigger this).

Fix:

Call your card issuer to verify the transaction is legitimate
Approve the charge
Retry payment within 24 hours

4. Billing Address Mismatch

The address you entered doesn't match your card issuer's records.

Fix:

Enter address exactly as it appears on your card statement
Include apartment/suite numbers if applicable
Use the same format (Ave vs Avenue, St vs Street)

5. CVV/CVC Code Incorrect

You entered the wrong security code.

Fix:

Check the 3-digit code on the back of your card (Amex: 4 digits on front)
Re-enter carefully

6. Card Expired

Your card's expiration date has passed.

Fix: Use a different card or request a new card from your issuer.

7. Card Issuer Restrictions on Trading Services

Some banks restrict payments to trading platforms, prop firms, or financial services.

Fix:

Contact your card issuer and explain you're purchasing educational trading services
If they won't allow it, use a different card (many traders use dedicated cards for trading expenses)

8. Daily/Monthly Spending Limit Reached

You've hit your card's transaction limit for the day or month.

Fix: Wait 24 hours or use a different card.

How to Update Your Payment Method

For subscription accounts:

Log into AquaFutures dashboard
Navigate to Settings → Billing or Payment Methods
Click "Update Payment Method"
Enter new card details
Save changes

Your next renewal will charge the new card.

Important: Update payment info before your renewal date to avoid service interruption. If auto-renewal fails (card declined), your subscription may be canceled and you'll lose evaluation progress.

International Payment Considerations

Currency Conversion:

AquaFutures charges in USD. If your card is in a different currency (EUR, GBP, CAD, etc.):

Your card issuer converts USD to your currency
You pay a conversion fee (typically 1-3%)
Exchange rates fluctuate daily

Example: $114 USD subscription might be €105-€108 depending on exchange rate and fees.

International Transaction Fees:

Some credit cards charge additional international transaction fees (2-3% of purchase).

Total cost example:

Base charge: $114 USD
Currency conversion: +2% ($2.28)
International fee: +3% ($3.42)
Total: $119.70 USD equivalent

To minimize fees:

Use cards with no foreign transaction fees (many travel cards offer this)
Use crypto if conversion fees are higher than blockchain fees
Consider a USD-based card if you trade frequently

Processing Countries:

AquaFutures may process payments through U.S. or international payment processors. Check with your card issuer whether they allow:

U.S. merchant transactions
Trading/financial service purchases
Recurring international charges

For restricted country details, see the restricted territories guide.

Does AquaFutures Store Your Payment Information?

Yes, for subscription accounts. Payment details are stored securely for auto-renewal.

Security measures:

Payment info encrypted (PCI DSS compliant)
Card numbers masked (only last 4 digits visible)
CVV not stored (required re-entry for manual charges)

You control payment storage:

Remove payment method anytime through Settings
Canceling subscription doesn't auto-delete payment info (do it manually)

One-time payments (Instant accounts):

Payment info is processed but not stored for recurring billing. You can optionally save it for future purchases.

Can You Use Prepaid Cards or Virtual Cards?

Prepaid Cards (Visa/Mastercard gift cards):

✅ Usually work for one-time payments (Instant accounts)

❌ May not work for subscription auto-renewal (some prepaid cards block recurring charges)

Virtual Cards (Privacy.com, Revolut virtual cards):

✅ Work well for subscriptions

✅ Let you set spending limits (great for controlling costs)

✅ Easy to cancel virtual card if you want to stop auto-renewal

Tips for using virtual/prepaid cards:

Ensure the card supports recurring payments (if subscribing)
Load enough funds to cover 2-3 months (in case you forget to reload)
Update card details before it expires

Payment Processing Time by Method

Payment Method	Account Activation	Best For
Credit/Debit Card	Instant (within 24 hours)	Most users, fast start
Cryptocurrency	15-60 minutes	Privacy, international users
Wire Transfer	1-3 business days	Large accounts (if available)

Credit cards are fastest. Use crypto only if cards don't work in your country or you need privacy.

What If Your Payment Succeeds But Account Doesn't Activate?

Typical activation time: Within 24 hours (usually instant)

If it's been 24+ hours:

Check your spam folder for activation email
Log into your account to see if status changed
Check your card statement to confirm charge went through
Contact support with:
- Payment confirmation number
- Transaction date and amount
- Screenshot of charge on your card statement

Most common cause: Payment succeeded but activation email went to spam. Check junk folder before panicking.

For support details, see the customer support guide.

Can You Split Payments Across Multiple Cards?

No. AquaFutures doesn't support split payments.

You must pay the full amount with a single payment method:

$114 on one card (not $50 + $64 across two cards)
$291 on one card or one crypto transaction

Workaround: Use a virtual card that pulls from multiple funding sources on your end (some banking apps allow this).

Do You Get Charged Immediately or Later?

Subscription accounts (Beginner/Standard):

Charged immediately when you sign up
Then charged on the same date each month (auto-renewal)
Example: Sign up January 5 → charged January 5 → next charge February 5

One-time accounts (Instant):

Charged immediately when you purchase
No recurring charges ever

Evaluation-to-funded transition:

No additional charge when you pass your evaluation
Funded accounts have no monthly fees

For cost comparisons, see the subscription vs one-time payment guide.

Are There Any Hidden Payment Fees?

What AquaFutures charges:

Subscription: $114/month (Beginner) or $196/month (Standard)
Instant: $291 one-time
No payment processing fees added by AquaFutures

What you might pay separately:

Currency conversion fees (your bank, 1-3%)
International transaction fees (your bank, 2-3%)
Crypto network fees (blockchain, $1-$50 depending on network)

Total example:

Beginner subscription: $114 USD
Your bank's conversion fee: +$2.28
International transaction fee: +$3.42
You pay: ~$120 equivalent in your currency

Always check your card issuer's fee schedule for international transactions.

Can You Get a Receipt or Invoice?

Yes. After payment:

Confirmation email sent with transaction details
Invoice available in your account dashboard (Settings → Billing History)
Download/print invoices for tax purposes

Invoice includes:

Transaction ID
Date and amount
Account type purchased
Payment method (last 4 digits)

Save invoices for expense tracking, especially if you're deducting trading education costs on taxes.

Best Payment Method: Credit Card or Crypto?

Use credit card if:

‍✅ You want instant activation

✅ You live in a country with easy card access

✅ You're comfortable with auto-renewal (subscriptions)

✅ You want buyer protection (chargebacks if needed)

Use crypto if:

‍✅ Your credit cards are declined

✅ You're in a country with restricted banking

✅ You want payment privacy

✅ You're comfortable with 15-60 minute delays and network fees

90% of traders use credit cards. It's simpler, faster, and more reliable.

Final Thoughts: Credit Card Is Your Best Bet

Unless you have a specific reason to use crypto (privacy, card restrictions), stick with credit/debit cards.

They're instant, reliable, and supported everywhere. If your card is declined:

Call your card issuer to allow the transaction
Verify billing address matches exactly
Try a different card if the first one has trading-related restrictions

Once your payment goes through, you'll be trading within 24 hours (usually instant).

Frequently Asked Questions

What payment methods does AquaFutures accept?

Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), debit cards, and potentially cryptocurrency through third-party processors (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT). Wire transfers and PayPal are typically not supported for individual accounts. Credit cards are the primary method with instant processing.

Why was my credit card declined?

Common reasons: Insufficient funds, international transaction block, fraud protection triggered, billing address mismatch, card expired, or card issuer restrictions on trading services. Fix: Contact your card issuer to allow the transaction, verify billing address matches card statement, or use a different card.

Can I pay with cryptocurrency?

Possibly. AquaFutures may accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins through third-party processors (Coinbase Commerce, BitPay). Processing takes 15-60 minutes for blockchain confirmation. Verify availability with support before attempting—not all account types support crypto.

Are there hidden fees on payments?

AquaFutures doesn't add payment processing fees. However, you may pay: currency conversion fees (1-3% from your bank), international transaction fees (2-3% from your bank), or crypto network fees ($1-$50). Total cost might be 3-5% higher than the listed USD price.

Can I use a prepaid or virtual card?

Yes. Prepaid cards (Visa/Mastercard gift cards) usually work for one-time payments but may not work for subscription auto-renewal. Virtual cards (Privacy.com, Revolut) work well for subscriptions and let you set spending limits to control costs.

Do I get charged immediately when I sign up?

Yes. Subscription accounts (Beginner/Standard) charge immediately, then auto-renew monthly on the same date. One-time accounts (Instant) charge once when you purchase—no recurring charges. When you pass an evaluation and transition to funded, there's no additional charge.

How do I update my payment method?

Log into AquaFutures dashboard → Settings → Billing/Payment Methods → Update Payment Method → Enter new card details → Save. Update before your renewal date to avoid service interruption. Failed renewals may cancel your subscription and you'll lose evaluation progress.

Can I split payment across multiple cards?

No. AquaFutures doesn't support split payments. You must pay the full amount with a single payment method (one card or one crypto transaction). Workaround: Use a virtual card that pulls from multiple funding sources on your end.