Most Nigerian Naira cards and dollar cards do not work for international payments, making it challenging for many Nigerians to conduct transactions abroad. Fortunately, several fintech companies now offer USD virtual cards that allow Nigerians to make international payments easily and securely. In this article, we will explore some of the top providers of USD virtual cards in Nigeria, focusing on their rates, ease of registration, and KYC requirements. Whether you need to make online purchases, subscribe to international services, or pay for other global transactions, these virtual card providers offer reliable solutions tailored to your needs.
Cardify
Ease of Registration
New users can easily create an account on Cardify using their Google or Apple accounts. However, when I tried signing up with my Google account, I received an error message. As a result, I had to register using my email address.
During the email registration process, I was required to provide the following details:
Phone number
First name
Last name
Username
Email address
Password
Referral username
Medium (how I heard about Cardify)
Cardify also allows users to secure their accounts with a fingerprint. Finally, users must verify their email addresses to complete the registration process.
KYC Requirements
After verifying their email, new users must complete phone number verification and provide the following information for Level 1 KYC verification:
Gender
Date of birth
Country
State
City
Full address
A four-digit PIN
However, I encountered an issue when I couldn't find my city in the options provided. I had to select the closest city to mine instead.
To create a dollar virtual card, users must complete Level 2 KYC verification, which requires providing either a BVN (Bank Verification Number) or NIN (National Identification Number). At the time of writing this article, the NIN option was unavailable. I attempted to use the BVN option but faced issues with my BVN-linked phone number.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Cardify
Rates
Cardify offers two types of dollar virtual cards:
1. Basic Dollar Virtual Card (Mastercard)
2. Standard Dollar Virtual Card (Visa Card)
Both cards have the same card creation fee of $2 + ($1.00 + 2%). The maintenance fee for both cards is $0, and the spending limits are:
$10,000 daily
$50,000 weekly
$100,000 monthly
Funding Requirements
You can fund a Cardify virtual card using either a naira wallet or a dollar wallet, both of which are automatically created when you register on the platform. Here’s how it works:
1.Funding the Wallets:
To fund your naira or dollar wallet, generate bank account details on the platform and make a transfer in the desired currency (naira or dollar) to the provided account details.
Once the payment is successful and reflects in your naira or dollar wallet, you can use the funds to load your dollar virtual card.
2. Minimum Funding Amount:
The minimum amount that can be loaded onto a Cardify virtual card is $5.
3.Exchange Rate:
To check the exchange rate, go to the "Create Virtual Card" section in the app. The rate will be clearly displayed during the virtual card creation process.
As of January 8, 2025, the official exchange rate on Cardify is ₦1,708.00 per dollar. This rate applies only to users funding their naira wallet via bank transfer.
When I attempted to fund my virtual card with $10, I was charged $13.20. The additional $3.20 included:
- A card issuance fee of $2
- A funding fee of $1.20
I was required to transfer ₦20,908.80 from my naira wallet to fund the card.
Important Notes:
Withdrawals are not allowed after card funding.
The minimum card balance must remain at $1.
Cardify does not offer Euro or GBP virtual cards.
Cardify has a Naira wallet which can be funded with Bank Transfer
Digital Purse
Ease of Registration
Registering on Chipper Cash is simple and straightforward. Users are required to download and install the mobile app. To create an account, new users are required to generate an authorization code, which is then used to log in.
KYC Requirements
One unique feature of Digital Purse is that it does not require any form of KYC verification. This means users can remain completely anonymous while conducting transactions.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Digital Purse
Rates
Digital Purse offers users the ability to create virtual cards and gift cards. Virtual cards can be funded using:
Cryptocurrency
Bank Transfer
Mobile Money
Funding with Cryptocurrency
Digital Purse recommends funding virtual cards with USDT to avoid extra charges and high network fees.
The funding amount for USDT ranges from $6 to $10,000.
When I tried funding a virtual card with $10, I was required to send $15.98 to a wallet address.
Funding with Bank Transfer
When I tried funding a virtual card with $10, I was asked to transfer ₦28,240 to a Wema Bank account.
For a $20 funding, I was required to pay ₦51,198 to the same account.
However, the actual exchange rate for $1 is not clearly stated in the Digital Purse app.
Funding with Mobile Money
Unfortunately, the mobile money option is not available for Nigerian users.
3. Apex by Apex Network
Ease of Registration
Registering on Apex is straightforward. Users need to provide their email address and create a password. Once the password is set, an OTP (One-Time Password) is sent to the email for verification. Optionally, users can input a referral code during registration. After email verification, users must create a secure PIN to complete the process.
KYC Requirements
Apex has two levels of KYC (Know Your Customer) verification:
Level 1:
Features: Users can withdraw up to $300 and deposit an unlimited amount of cryptocurrency.
Verification Process: Requires a phone number. An OTP will be sent to verify the number.
Level 2:
Features: Users can withdraw up to $60,000 and deposit unlimited amounts of supported currencies.
Verification Process: Requires a liveness test and one of the following documents: BVN (Bank Verification Number), NIN (National Identification Number), driver’s license, resident card, voter’s ID, national ID, or passport.
Personal Experience: I used my NIN for verification, and the process took about five minutes.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Apex
Rates
Creating a virtual card on Apex costs $4, and users are required to provide their BVN during the process. Apex offers Mastercard and Visa virtual cards, which can be funded using a naira wallet or cryptocurrency.
Funding the Naira Wallet
Users can fund their naira wallet through bank transfer or mobile money (MoMo).
Important Notes:
Apex does not support deposits from all Nigerian banks.
Mobile money (MoMo) deposits are not available for Nigerians. Ensure your bank is supported before making transactions.
Minimum Deposit: ₦500.
Transaction Fee: ₦100 is charged per deposit into the naira wallet via bank transfer.
Process: Funding the naira wallet is straightforward. You simply find a matching account and transfer the desired amount. Once the payment reflects in your wallet, you can use the funds to load your dollar virtual card.
Exchange Rate
To check the naira-to-dollar rate, go to the "Trade" section and select "Buy." You will be taken to a naira-to-dollar conversion page. Enter the amount of naira you want to deposit, and the system will show you the dollar equivalent.
As of today, January 8, 2025, the exchange rate for converting naira to USD on Apex is ₦1,660 per dollar. This rate applies specifically to users funding their naira wallet via bank transfer.
Currency Options
Apex allows users to change the currency display of their assets to foreign currencies, such as:
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Great Britain Pound (GBP)
Euro (EUR)
However, users cannot create virtual cards in these foreign currencies. Virtual cards are only available in USD.
Bitnob
Ease of Registration
Registering on Bitnob is simple and user-friendly. Users are required to input:
First name.
Surname.
Email.
Country.
Referral code (optional).
After filling in these details, users create a password and solve a quick puzzle to verify they are human. Once this is completed, an OTP is sent to their email for verification.
Bitnob also offers the option to create a Universal Money Address (UMA), a personalized address for receiving money from other Bitnob users. Bitnob generates a default UMA, but users can customize it to their liking.
KYC Requirements
To verify their account, users need to:
1. Input their mobile number and verify it using an OTP sent to the phone.
2. Provide the following details:
Country.
BVN (Bank Verification Number).
One of these documents:
International Passport
Driver’s License.
Residence Permit.
National ID (NIN).
Personal Experience:
I used my National ID (NIN) for verification, so I provided my NIN number. I then completed a liveness check and submitted personal details, including:
- Date of birth.
- Gender.
- Residential address.
- State/region.
- Postal/zip code.
Users must also upload a clear snapshot of their ID and ensure the name on their ID matches the name provided during registration.
Bitnob allows users to add a Next of Kin during the process. Verification typically takes 30 minutes to 48 hours. My verification was completed in 30 minutes.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Bitnob
Rates
Virtual Card Creation:
There is no card creation fee for Bitnob’s virtual cards. The minimum deposit on a Bitnob virtual card is $3.
Funding Options for the USD Wallet:
Bank Transfer: Fund your USD wallet with local currency (Naira).
USDT: No transaction fee found; you send the exact amount you want to deposit.
Binance Pay: A 1% fee applies. For example, funding with $200 will cost $202.
Exchange Rate:
To check the naira-to-dollar rate, go to the "Deposit" section and select "Fund with Local Currency" as the payment option. The rate will be clearly displayed during the deposit process.
As of today, January 8, 2025, the exchange rate on Bitnob is ₦1,660.7 per $1. This rate applies to users funding their USD wallet using Naira. However, Bitnob does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
5. Accrue
Ease of Registration
Registering on Accrue is a straightforward process. Users start by providing their email address and creating a password. An OTP is sent to the email for verification. After this step, users are required to create a username and fill in their legal first name, legal last name, country of residence, phone number, and date of birth. To complete the registration, users must set up a secure passkey, which adds an extra layer of security to their account. The process is designed to be quick and user-friendly.
KYC Requirements
To complete KYC verification, users need to provide:
First name and Last name.
Date of birth (DOB) and Gender.
Country of Residence and Nationality.
NIN (National Identification Number) and a clear photo of the front and back of the NIN card.
Perform a liveness check to confirm identity.
Verification typically takes up to 48 hours, but I got verified in 21 hours, possibly because I registered on a Sunday.
After verification, users must fill out an About You form. This form requires:
BVN (Bank Verification Number), address, gender, marital status, employment type, job nature, yearly income, net worth, and source of wealth.
To verify their address, users must upload a bank account statement that matches the address provided in the About You form.
Lastly, users must confirm their address, city, and state.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Accrue
Rates
Accrue has the following charges and limits:
1.Card Fees:
Card creation fee: $3.
Funding fee: $1.
Monthly maintenance fee: $1.
2.USD Account Creation:
A one-time issuance fee of $3 is required to create a USD account.
3. Funding and Limits:
Minimum deposit: $7.
Maximum deposit: $100.
Monthly transaction limit: $10,000.
4. Funding Methods:
Cash Ramp: Users send local currency (e.g., naira) to trusted agents, who then credit dollars to their USD account.
ACH.
Cryptocurrency.
To check the naira-to-dollar rate, go to the "Deposit" section and select "CashRamp" as the payment option. The rate will depend on the trusted agent available at that time.
As of January 8, 2025, the exchange rate on Accrue is ₦1,677 per $1. This rate applies to users funding their USD wallet using Naira. However, Accrue does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
6. Grey
Ease of Registration
To register on Grey, users need to select their country of residence and provide basic personal information such as their first name, middle name, surname, gender, email address, phone number, and an optional referral code. Users then create a password and agree to the terms of use and privacy policy. An OTP is sent to the provided email for verification. After verifying the OTP, users are asked to select their purpose for using Grey from a list of options. The registration process is completed by creating a secure PIN.
KYC
1.Users are required to provide their home address, state, city, and zip code.
2. A proof of address must be uploaded, which can be one of the following:
Government-issued document
Utility bill
Tax statement/report
Rental/lease agreement
Bank statement (I used a bank statement for verification).
3. Users are asked if they are politically exposed persons (PEP) or related to a PEP.
4. To verify identity, users must upload one of the following documents:
International passport
Driver’s license
National ID (I selected my National ID, so I had to provide my NIN and take a selfie).
5. Users undergo a liveness check to confirm their identity.
The KYC verification process is fast and was completed instantly in my case.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Grey
Rates
1. Users can create accounts in US dollars, Nigerian naira, British pounds, and euros.
2. To create a naira account, users need to provide their BVN.
3. To fund a dollar virtual card:
First, deposit naira into your naira account.
Convert the naira to US dollars.
Use the converted dollars to fund the virtual card.
4. Fees:
A 1% conversion fee applies when converting between currencies.
An undisclosed fee is charged for non-USD payments or when using the virtual card on non-US platforms.
To check the rate, click on "Convert" on the homepage. You will be taken to a naira-to-dollar conversion page. Enter the amount of naira you want to deposit, and the system will show you the dollar equivalent.
As of today, January 8th, 2025, the exchange rate for converting naira to US dollars on Grey is ₦1,683.30 to $1. However, Grey does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
7.Moniebee
Ease of Registration
To register on Moniebee, users are required to provide their phone number, after which an OTP is sent for verification. You can sign up using your Google account, Apple account, or email address. I registered using my email address. After this, users are prompted to create a password and a Moniebee handle. A referral code can also be added (optional). Finally, users are required to set up a PIN to secure their account.
KYC
The Know Your Customer (KYC) process on Moniebee requires the following steps:
1. Provide your BVN (Bank Verification Number).
2. Take a selfie in a well-lit environment for identity verification.
3. Upload one of the following documents:
- National Identification Number (NIN)
- Driver’s License
- Voter’s Card
- International Passport
I used my NIN for verification, which required me to input my NIN number and upload a picture of the document. The entire verification process took only 3 minutes.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Moniebee
Rates
Moniebee allows users to create personal and business virtual cards:
Personal cards are issued in your name.
Business cards are issued in your business name.
For both Visa and Mastercard, the following fees apply:
Card Issuance Fee: $3
Funding Fee: 2% of the funded amount
Maintenance Fee: Free
Funding Process:
1. Fund your Naira wallet (created automatically upon registration).
This requires sending Nigerian Naira to a Naira account generated for you within an hour after KYC verification.
2. Convert the Naira to USD on the Moniebee app.
3. Use the converted USD to fund your virtual dollar card.
To check the exchange rate, go to the "Create Virtual Card" section in the app. The rate will be clearly displayed during the virtual card creation process.
As of January 8, 2025, the exchange rate on Moniebee is ₦1,717 per $1. However, Moniebee does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
8. Cardtonic
Ease of Registration
To register on Cardtonic, users must first create a username, provide their email address, country, and phone number, and then create a password. Finally, they must agree to the terms of service and privacy policy.
KYC
The KYC verification on Cardtonic is straightforward. Users are required to provide their date of birth, BVN, and take a selfie.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Cardtonic
Rates
Cardtonic allows users to generate a virtual account to fund their naira wallet. At the moment, only Visa virtual cards are available. The card creation fee is $1.50. When users fund their naira wallet to load the dollar card, a 1.5% service charge is applied, which is capped at ₦2,000. Additionally, a 2% funding fee is charged whenever users fund the virtual card.
If users wish to withdraw from the virtual dollar card, a $2 fee is charged. For transactions in currencies other than USD, a fee of 2.2% of the transaction value plus $0.50 applies.
The naira-to-dollar exchange rate is not clearly displayed on the app. However, after contacting Cardtonic Support, I was informed by Uchechi that as of December 14, 2024, the exchange rate is ₦1,700 per $1.
9.Vesti
Ease of Registration
Users are required to provide the following details during registration: full name, email address, phone number, residential address, and postal code. They must also create a password and agree to the terms and conditions. Additionally, users can opt for a free debit card during registration, but they will need to provide extra information, including other names, date of birth, state of residence, city, and delivery address. After completing these steps, an OTP is sent to the provided email for verification.
KYC
Vesti’s KYC process is divided into three tiers:
Tier 1
To verify their account, users can use any of the following documents: international passport, BVN, voter’s card, or NIN. I initially tried using my NIN, so I entered my NIN and date of birth. However, the verification didn’t work, so I used my BVN instead, which required me to input my BVN and date of birth.
Tier 2
Users must select one of the following documents for verification: international passport, national ID card, or voter’s card. I used my national ID card and uploaded clear front and back pictures of it.
Tier 3
Users are required to complete a liveness check and input the number from one of the following documents: passport number or identity number.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Vesti
Rates
Vesti also provides physical debit cards in addition to virtual cards.
The virtual card creation fee is $2.
A minimum initial deposit of $5 is required, with a 1.4% fee for each card funding.
Users have a spending limit of up to $10,000, with no restrictions on platforms.
There are no charges for card transactions.
Users can fund their virtual cards directly from their naira wallets, which are automatically created upon registration. To fund the naira wallet, users can deposit naira into a unique account generated for them.
To check the exchange rate, go to the "Create Virtual Card" section in the app. The rate will be clearly displayed during the virtual card creation process.
As of January 8, 2025, the exchange rate on Vesti is ₦1,730 to $1. However, Vesti does not currently support creating virtual cards in other currencies.
10.Changera
Ease of Registration
To register, users must select their country of residence and provide an email address. They are then required to create a username, password, and agree to the terms of service, privacy policy, and cardholder agreement. After this, users need to input their BVN, and an OTP will be sent to their email for verification. Finally, users must create a PIN to secure their account.
KYC
Changera’s KYC process allows users to verify their account using either their NIN or BVN. I chose to use my NIN and input my NIN number. Afterward, users must complete a liveness test, which involves taking a selfie for identity confirmation.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Changera
Rates
The card creation fee is $3.
The card can be funded with a minimum of $5.
Users can fund their virtual cards through their dollar wallet, which is automatically created during registration.
The dollar wallet can be funded by either:
1. Converting naira from the naira wallet, or
2. Using cryptocurrency.
To fund the naira wallet, users need to send money to a Wema Bank account, which is automatically generated upon registration.
To check the rate, click on "Convert" on the homepage. You will be taken to a naira-to-dollar conversion page. Enter the amount of naira you want to deposit, and the system will show you the dollar equivalent.
As of January 8, 2025, the exchange rate on Changera is ₦1,670 to $1. However, Changera does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
11.Payswitch
Ease of Registration
To register on Payswitch, users are first required to input their email address. An OTP is then sent to the provided email. Next, users must input their phone number, after which another OTP is sent to the number. When I initially tried registering, I did not receive the OTP on my phone number despite several attempts. However, when I tried again after 24 hours, the process worked immediately. After verifying the phone number, users are prompted to enter their first and last name. Providing a referral code is optional. Finally, users are required to create a password and a PIN.
KYC
While Payswitch does not have a dedicated KYC section, users must complete certain personal details before they can create a wallet. These details include:
1. Updating region information (country, state, and city).
2. Providing a residential address.
3. Entering date of birth (DOB).
4. Adding a postal code.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Payswitch
Rate
To create a virtual card on Payswitch, users must input their BVN. The platform allows the creation of both virtual and physical Naira and Dollar cards, with options for Visa, Verve, and Mastercard.
As of today, 17th December 2024, the costs for virtual Dollar cards are as follows:
Visa and Mastercard: $4.83 total, broken down into $1.83 for card creation and $3 to pre-fund the card for the first transaction.
Verve: $3.93 total, with $0.93 for card creation and $3 for pre-funding.
To fund your account, you must first create a wallet. Once the wallet is created, users can deposit funds into their Naira wallet, which is automatically created during registration.
To check the exchange rate, go to the "Create Virtual Card" section in the app. The rate will be clearly displayed during the virtual card creation process.
The exchange rate as of today, January 8, 2025 is ₦1,703 to $1. However, Payswitch does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
12. Zole
Ease of Registration
To register on Zole, users must first create a username and password. Providing a referral code is optional. Next, users are required to select their country and input their phone number. An OTP is sent to the phone number for verification. After verifying the phone number, users must enter their email address and verify it with another OTP. Once completed, users are prompted to input personal details, including their first name, last name, and middle name (optional), along with their date of birth.
KYC
For KYC verification, users are required to upload one of the following documents:
1. Passport
2. Driver’s License
3. Digital NIN Slip
4. NIN ID Card
5. NIN Slip
6. Voter’s Card
I used my National ID card, so I uploaded pictures of both the front and back of the card. Afterward, I completed a liveness check and created a PIN. My account was verified within 2 minutes.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Zole
Rate
To create a virtual wallet on Zole, users must provide their BVN, a bank account number, and the name of their bank. An account is then generated for deposits. Zole allows users to create the following types of virtual cards:
1. Virtual Dollar Mastercard – Costs $2
2. Virtual Dollar Visa Card – (Note: The button didn’t redirect to any page when I tried).
3. Virtual Naira Verve Card – (Note: The button didn’t work when I tried).
To check the exchange rate, go to the "Create Virtual Card" section in the app. The rate will be clearly displayed during the virtual card creation process.
As of today, January 8, 2025, the exchange rate on Zole is ₦1,721 to $1. However, Zole does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
13. Nearspay
Ease of Registration
To register on Nearspay, new users must provide their full name, email address, and phone number. After entering these details, users are required to create a password to complete the registration process.
KYC (Know Your Customer)
Nearspay has four KYC tiers:
Tier 1: Users must provide their NIN number and complete a liveness test.
Tier 2: Users are required to input their residential address and state, then verify the address using a utility bill.
I couldn’t access Tier 3 and Tier 4 because I wasn’t able to verify my address with a utility bill. Therefore, I don’t know the KYC requirements for the higher tiers.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Nearspay
Rate
Nearspay offers four options for funding wallets:
1. Virtual POS
2. Virtual account
3. USSD
4. QR code
I tried funding my wallet using the virtual account method. This required sending naira to a bank account automatically created during registration. The card creation fee is $6, out of which $3 will be available in your wallet.
To check the exchange rate, go to the "Create Virtual Card" section in the app. The rate will be clearly displayed during the virtual card creation process.
As of today, 8th January 2025, the exchange rate on Nearspay is ₦1,712 to $1. However, Nearspay does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
14. Dantown
Ease of Registration
To register on Dantown, new users must create a username and provide their first name, email address, and phone number. They are also required to create a password and can optionally input a referral code. Users are asked how they heard about Dantown before proceeding. An OTP is sent to the provided email for verification. Once verified, users are prompted to create a PIN to complete the registration process.
KYC (Know Your Customer)
Dantown has three KYC levels:
Level 1: Profile Verification
Users are required to add a local bank account and verify their phone number.
Level 2: Identity Verification
Users must upload one of the following documents:
- International Passport
- National ID
- Driver’s License
- Voter’s Card
- NIMC
I used my National ID for this process. I provided my NIN, entered my date of birth, and uploaded both sides of my National ID card.
Level 3: Address Verification
Users must input their state and local government area (LGA), then verify their address by uploading one of the following documents:
- Bank statement
- Electricity bill
- Waste management bill
Finally, users are required to input their residential address.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Dantown
Rate
Dantown charges a card creation fee of $1, with no funding fee and a monthly maintenance fee of $1. The minimum amount required to fund a card is $5. Users can fund their dollar cards directly from their wallet.
To fund the wallet, users must deposit funds into an account temporarily generated by Dantown. The account name used for the deposit must match the name on the Dantown account. The minimum deposit amount is ₦1,000.
Dantown also allows users to fund their accounts using cryptocurrency. However, the process is more complicated, as users must first convert their cryptocurrency to naira at a rate determined by Dantown.
To check the naira-to-dollar rate, you must complete all three tiers of KYC. Once all levels are completed, the rate will be displayed during the virtual card creation process. However, I couldn't complete the KYC because of an issue with my bank statement. Instead, I had to contact Dantown's support team to get the naira-to-dollar rate.
As of 8th January 2025, the exchange rate is ₦1,704.58 to $1. This rate applies to users funding their USD wallet using Naira. However, Dantown does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
15. Trove
Ease of Registration
To register on Trove, users must provide their email address, phone number, and nationality. They are then prompted to create a password. Adding a referral code is optional. After this, an OTP is sent to the provided email for verification. Once verified, users are required to provide their BVN and take a selfie to complete the registration process.
KYC (Know Your Customer)
The KYC process on Trove is simple and straightforward. Users are required to upload one of the following documents:
- Driver’s License
- Voter’s Card
- International Passport
- National ID
I chose my National ID for verification. I uploaded an image of the ID card and provided my NIN number.
Screenshot of Virtual Dollar Card Page At Trove
Rate
Trove allows users to fund their card via bank transfer. To deposit, users must transfer funds to a bank account that is temporarily generated for the transaction. It’s important to note that there are no hidden fees when using Trove.
To check the exchange rate, go to the "Create Virtual Card" section in the app. The rate will be clearly displayed during the virtual card creation process.
As of 8th January 2025, the exchange rate on Trove is ₦1,676.48 to $1. However, Trove does not currently allow users to create virtual cards in other currencies.
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