Visa and TikTok have partnered to launch a new debit card account designed for UK content creators, which aims to improve cash flow management and provide faster access to earnings from live-streaming and platform activity.

The payments company said the “Creator Card”, which is targeted at users monetising content through TikTok LIVE, is the first product of its kind in the UK. It enables creators to access income generated through virtual gifts and other revenue streams and help them separate personal and business finances.

According to research commissioned by Visa, nearly half of UK content creators have experienced late payments, while 94 per cent said they want to separate their personal and business finances. The study also found that 41 per cent said they had turned down opportunities due to cash flow constraints.

During a TikTok LIVE, a creator is rewarded for their creativity through virtual gifts; creators can then convert the value of these gifts into diamonds, which can be exchanged for real income.

This income typically arrives in bursts, rather than on a regular monthly salary, meaning short delays between earnings settling in their account which can make it harder to cover everyday costs or reinvest in their business. Visa and TikTok’s Creator Card and business account enable creators to access these earnings faster and spend money straight away, avoiding the delays that come with waiting for payouts to fully clear.

Income earned through TikTok LIVE is typically paid in bursts, rather than on a fixed schedule, which can create liquidity challenges. Visa said the new card and associated business account are designed to address this by enabling faster access to funds, allowing creators to spend or reinvest earnings immediately.

Visa said the launch builds on its recognition of creators as a growing segment of small businesses within the digital economy. The company estimates there are around 200 million creators globally, with the sector projected to reach $500 billion by 2027.

Around 85 per cent of creators earn up to $100,000 each year and many of them mangage multiple revenue streams with 95 per cent involved in brand partnership and 77 per cent promote services at least once a month.

By linking monetisation tools with payment infrastructure, Visa said it wants to simplify financial management for creators operating across multiple revenue streams.

“This launch is designed to give creators faster access to income from TikTok LIVE, brand partnerships, and platform payouts, so they can spend, plan and reinvest in their business straight away,” said Lucy Demery, SVP, head of Visa commercial solutions, Europe. “By simplifying access to funds, we’re helping creators manage cash flow with confidence, so they can stay focused on what they do best - growing their business.”

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