I recently came across an interesting new product called Starryblu, a multi-currency wallet launched by the same group as Panda Remit. Its main features include managing balances in multiple currencies, adding funds, exchanging currencies, making international transfers, and paying by scanning QR codes. It also offers a Singapore-issued Mastercard debit card. One notable feature is that residents of mainland China can sign up using their real identity without an SSN. I think it could be useful for people who want to try out the service, those in mainland China who need an international payment option, and anyone who regularly transfers money between the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Sign up now through our exclusive link to get SGD 60 in spending credits, which are automatically applied in random amounts with each purchase. You can also fill out a form to join the whitelist and apply early for a physical or virtual Singapore card.

Here are the main features worth noting:

  • Free multi-currency wallet: Residents of mainland China can open an account using a +86 phone number, a Chinese passport, and other documents. The wallet supports 10 currencies, including USD, SGD, HKD, and EUR.
  • Multiple ways to add and withdraw funds: Local transfer options include Hong Kong FPS and Singapore PayNow. Users in China can add funds by wire transfer, while US accounts may also use ACH and other methods. Funds can be transferred to mainland Chinese bank cards, Alipay, and more.
  • WeChat Pay and Alipay: Use funds held in the wallet for some QR-code purchases in mainland China, with a built-in QR code scanner.
  • Singapore-issued Mastercard: Virtual and physical cards are available for some accounts. They can be used for foreign-currency purchases, online subscriptions, and ATM withdrawals where supported. The physical card has a membership fee.
  • 美卡 101 partner offer: SGD 60 in spending credits, plus support with applying for the card whitelist.

About Starryblu

Starryblu is a cross-border financial product based in Singapore. It is operated by WOTRANSFER PTE. LTD. The name may not be familiar, but many people have likely used the company’s other product, Panda Remit. We previously published an introduction to Panda Remit and a money transfer guide. Panda Remit mainly provides international transfers between countries, especially transfers to mainland China from places such as the United States and Hong Kong.

In addition to money transfers, Starryblu offers multi-currency balance management, currency exchange, receiving funds, and spending features. Put simply, Panda Remit primarily transfers money from one country to another, while Starryblu lets you hold money in a wallet, exchange it into different currencies as needed, and then transfer or spend it. The two products belong to the same group and use related cross-border payment infrastructure.

For regulation, WOTRANSFER holds a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), license number PS20200501. You can verify this in the MAS Financial Institutions Directory. Its licensed activities include account issuance, domestic and cross-border money transfers, merchant acquisition, and e-money issuance. Regarding fund security, according to Starryblu’s official information, customer funds are held in a Safeguarding Account at OCBC in Singapore, separate from the payment institution’s day-to-day operating funds. Starryblu is a regulated payment institution, not a traditional commercial bank.

That distinction matters. Although Starryblu benefits from Panda Remit’s established business, its wallet and card are relatively new products. For now, I think they are better suited to everyday spending and moving money around than to holding large amounts of cash long term.

Sign-Up and Rewards

Sign-Up Offer

Sign up now through our exclusive link to get SGD 60 in spending credits, which are automatically applied in random amounts with each purchase. You can also fill out a form to join the whitelist and apply early for a physical or virtual Singapore card (more on this below).

After signing up and completing KYC, you should see the SGD 60 spending credits in your account. The credits are automatically used when you spend with the wallet, in a random amount each time.

From what I’ve observed, the credits cover about 10% of smaller purchases, effectively giving you 10% off.

How to Sign Up

The Starryblu sign-up process is fairly straightforward. Residents of mainland China can select China as their country of residence and sign up with a +86 phone number. Note that it’s best to complete the entire process using an IP address outside mainland China, preferably a Singapore IP address.

  1. Go to the sign-up page through the 美卡 101 Starryblu partner link and select your actual country or region of residence. Residents of mainland China can select China.
  2. Enter your phone number and complete SMS verification. Then download the Starryblu app and set up your account and login password.
  3. If prompted to enter a referral code manually, enter MWZK04O. The fifth character is the number 0, and the last character is the letter O.
  4. Follow the app’s instructions to upload your Chinese passport, proof of address, and any other required documents, then complete facial recognition and KYC verification.
  5. After your account is opened, check your wallet, spending credits, and card features.
  6. If you want to apply for a Mastercard with priority, fill out the whitelist form below: Starryblu whitelist application form.

Based on reports from Starryblu users, residents of mainland China can use a Chinese passport for primary identity verification and an identity card as proof of address, then complete facial recognition and any other KYC checks. If you use your identity card as proof of address, the residential address you enter must match the address on the card. If you later need a physical card mailed to you, you can provide your actual mailing address before it is shipped. If you don’t want to use your identity card as proof of address, provide genuine documentation for the address as requested by the app, such as a bank statement or utility bill.

Starryblu Multi-Currency Wallet

Multi-Currency Accounts and Adding Funds

Starryblu’s core product is a free multi-currency wallet. It currently supports 10 publicly listed currencies: USD, SGD, HKD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD, AUD, NZD, and CNH. CNH is offshore renminbi. After registering and completing identity verification, you can add balances in different currencies in the app and exchange currencies, receive funds, and make transfers as needed.

One of its useful features is the range of funding options. According to current official information and user reports, available transfer methods vary by region:

  • United States: Supported methods include ACH, debit card, and wire transfer. Availability and whether US local account details are provided depend on your account profile and currently available access.
  • Mainland China: Funding is currently done primarily via international bank wire transfers (Wire/SWIFT). In practice, transfers may be subject to review by the sending bank in mainland China, restrictions on permitted purposes, and foreign-exchange regulations.
  • Hong Kong: Supported funding methods include FPS (Faster Payment System), online bank transfers, and Wire.
  • Singapore: You can fund your account using PayNow and bank transfers, among other methods.

Of these options, Hong Kong FPS and Singapore PayNow are currently the two most established routes based on testing. During the promotional period, test orders funded from Hong Kong and Singapore bank accounts did not incur a separate funding fee and generally arrived almost instantly. However, there are some restrictions. For example, Hong Kong FPS funding requires a Hong Kong bank account in your own name. Some funding orders explicitly do not support direct payments from business accounts, Wise, or other third-party accounts, and the amount and payment reference must match the order. There have also been cases where mainland Chinese banks refused to send direct Wire transfers.

Cross-Border Transfers and RMB Withdrawals

Another useful Starryblu feature is the ability to transfer foreign currency from your wallet to receiving accounts in different countries and regions. For users in China, the most interesting option is probably transferring money back to mainland China. You can currently add a mainland Chinese receiving account and choose from supported methods such as a bank card, Alipay, or WeChat. Available options depend on the channels offered in the App.

One user withdrew 2,500 HKD from their wallet to an Alipay account in mainland China. The order showed a remittance fee of 0, and 2,160.50 RMB arrived almost immediately. The transaction details in Alipay listed Panda Remit as the remittance provider, indicating that some of Starryblu’s RMB withdrawal services do use Panda Remit’s payment channel. The exchange rate on this test was very close to the market reference rate at the time, keeping costs low.

If you simply want to send money from the US to China, you can also compare it with the service we’ve reviewed, Panda Remit, especially its exchange-rate promotion for new users. However, according to Starryblu, its promotional-period exchange rate is even better than Panda Remit’s.

QR Code Payments with WeChat and Alipay

This may be one of the biggest differences between Starryblu and a typical overseas multi-currency account. In addition to transferring money to China, it lets users spend foreign currency in their wallet at some WeChat and Alipay merchants in mainland China. Users can scan a merchant’s payment QR code in the App, or display their own payment code for the merchant to scan. The transaction is settled through the relevant payment and currency-conversion channels.

Note that QR code payments from the wallet are different from linking a Mastercard to WeChat or Alipay for purchases. With a standard foreign-issued Visa/Mastercard linked to WeChat or Alipay, some transactions over 200 RMB may incur a 3% payment-platform fee. In tests so far, Starryblu’s own QR payment channel has not charged this fee.

Also, avoiding the 3% platform fee does not mean there is no exchange-rate cost. For example, in one test of an in-person 25 RMB purchase, the exchange-rate loss was about 1.25% without factoring in any spending coupons. That cost is not especially high, but if you make large purchases over time, it is still worth comparing this option with exchanging currency directly or paying with a foreign bank card.

US ACH and Bank Direct Deposit

For readers interested in US bank account bonuses, another Starryblu feature worth exploring is US ACH withdrawals. According to a friend, you can fund your account from the US via ACH or other channels, then transfer your wallet balance to a US bank account. The withdrawal transaction may appear as Panda Remit. Readers familiar with bank bonuses will know that some US banks recognize certain third-party ACH Credit transactions as qualifying Direct Deposits for account-opening bonuses. These are commonly called Fake DDs. Based on previous experience with Panda Remit Fake DDs, the following accounts may work:

A clear advantage is that you can sign up for Starryblu with a passport; a US SSN/ITIN is not required. This may be a good option for people who have no other way to complete a DD.

Local Receiving Accounts in Multiple Regions and Other Features

Starryblu also plans to expand its local receiving capabilities in different countries and regions. The company has described receiving details such as a USD routing number + Account Number, EUR IBAN, and GBP Sort Code, but these features are not yet available to every new user. Some currencies or local transfer channels may require additional identity verification, so check whether they are enabled in your account. For example, one user received a personal EUR IBAN with a Malta country code, which can be used for eligible SEPA transfers in euros. This may be useful for people with European bank accounts or who need to handle euro funds.

More local receiving details, US bank account features, and stablecoin funding are among the features planned for the future. Some are still in the planning or testing phase, or are available only to a limited number of users. In particular, some users recently saw an option for stablecoin funding but had not been approved to use it. For now, we do not recommend committing significant funds in anticipation of these future features.

Starryblu Mastercard Virtual and Physical Cards

The features discussed above are part of the Starryblu multi-currency wallet, and you can use the wallet services that are available without getting a card. The Mastercard is an additional debit card product you can apply for through the wallet. It comes in virtual and physical versions and lets you spend your wallet balance. One appealing feature is that some mainland Chinese users can apply for a Singapore-issued Mastercard using their actual mainland Chinese identity. Once you receive the card, you can use it on supported overseas websites, for software subscriptions, and for everyday purchases. The physical card can also be used for in-person purchases and cash withdrawals at supported ATMs. Some overseas AI tools, software, and international e-commerce sites, for example, require a card issued outside China.

The card is not yet available to all accounts. The virtual card alone currently has a waitlist of more than six months, and physical cards are available only to some users. However, if you sign up through our exclusive link and submit a whitelist application, we will add applicants to the official whitelist in the order received. US Card 101 community members and $19.99 paying members get priority access. Once you are added, you can purchase a $9.9 or $19.99 membership to apply directly for the Singapore physical and virtual cards. Starting in the second month, you can switch to the free plan if you prefer. The Singapore card will remain usable after you receive it.

Membership Fees and Physical Card

Starryblu’s website currently offers a free membership and several paid tiers. Signing up and completing KYC gets you the free Starry membership, which includes access to the multi-currency wallet, QR code payments, and other payment features.

The $9.99-per-month Starry Plus membership and the $19.99-per-month Planet membership may be especially useful. Additional benefits include:

  • Starry Plus: The main benefit is eligibility to receive a Singapore debit card in both physical and virtual versions. You also get 20SGD in monthly spending coupons for your own use and 4 coupons to give away; currency-exchange and remittance coupons; 3 free ATM withdrawals per month; and 50 coin back when you spend more than $100 with the card, estimated to be 0.5% cash back.
  • Planet: Most importantly, you can get both a physical and a virtual Singapore debit card, and choose a desirable card number. You also get SGD 30 in monthly vouchers for your own use and 4 vouchers to give away, as well as foreign exchange and remittance vouchers. You can make up to 5 free ATM withdrawals per month. Spend over $100 with the card and get 65 coins back, which appears to be about 0.65% cash back.

I think paying $19.99 for a premium card number is well worth it, since you can keep using the card long term and only need to pay for one month of membership. In the second month, you can downgrade to the $9.99 plan or cancel your subscription outright and switch to the free version. The numbers are generally consecutive, and after a few tries you may find a sequence like 8888. There are also numbers like 45678. In short, it’s worth picking one you like. It’s rare for a card to let you choose your own number.

Starryblu or Wise: Which Should You Choose?

When people think of multi-currency wallets, many will naturally think of Wise. We’ve also published an introduction to the Wise remittance platform. Wise supports international transfers and currency exchange, and in eligible regions it also provides local account details for receiving payments, along with a multi-currency debit card. Starryblu has a somewhat similar product concept, but at this stage there are clear differences in the maturity of the two products and how they can be used.

Comparison Starryblu Wise
Product focus Multi-currency wallet, cross-border transfers, QR-code payments, and add-on cards International transfers, multi-currency accounts, and local payments
Opening an account as a mainland China resident Chinese passport holders can successfully open an account Some services are available, but features are limited by country of residence
Supported currency balances Publicly supports 10 currencies Supports 40+ currencies
International payments Hong Kong and Singapore payment channels are useful; other local channels are still being developed Its local payment network across many countries is more mature
Sending funds to China Supported channels include bank cards, Alipay, and WeChat Funds can be sent back to China through eligible CNY remittance channels
QR-code payments in mainland China Some payments through WeChat and Alipay have been successful No equivalent in-wallet QR-code payment feature
Mastercard Some mainland China users can apply for a Singapore virtual or physical card Card eligibility depends on the user’s country of residence
Maturity Relatively new; some features are still being rolled out in stages Longer operating history and a more complete feature set

If you already live in the US, have a US bank account and credit cards, and only need to send money internationally from time to time, Wise or Panda Remit may be all you need. Wise’s local bank details for receiving payments, international transfers, and currency exchange services have been operating for years, and many of its processes are relatively well established. There’s no need to move all your money to a new product.

But if you live in mainland China, don’t have a US SSN or a bank card from another country, and want a tool to manage funds abroad, make QR-code payments domestically, and apply for a Singapore Mastercard, Starryblu may be particularly appealing. Wise also lets some mainland China users sign up, but its account and card services are subject to regional restrictions; signing up doesn’t automatically get you an overseas debit card.

For now, I think the two products are better used together than as complete substitutes. Wise can continue to handle relatively mature cross-border payments, while Starryblu may be better suited to moving and spending funds between Hong Kong, Singapore, and mainland China. If Starryblu eventually makes US dollar ACH, euro SEPA, and local account details in other regions fully available, its competitiveness will improve further.

My Take

I think Starryblu is worth trying with a free account, especially for “cloud players” or mainland China users. You can currently apply with Chinese identification, manage multiple currencies, send and receive money through supported channels, make QR-code payments in China, and get a Singapore Mastercard. That combination is genuinely interesting. The service is also backed by Panda Remit’s cross-border payment infrastructure. Compared with a completely new payments company, its company background and regulatory information should at least be easier to verify.

Whether US ACH transfers can count as Fake DD for bank account bonuses is worth looking into, but not many people have tried it yet, and there aren’t many data points. It’s worth keeping an eye on.

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