Wen physical card? The waitlist game is on.
The physical Shakepay Visa Prepaid Card is almost here. Join the waitlist game, earn points with in-store taps, unlock early access, and compete for Launch Edition status.
“Wen physical card?”
Fair question. Legendary question. Possibly the most-asked question in Shakepay history.
After 4.5 years of the virtual Shakepay Visa* Prepaid Card doing work, the physical Shakepay Card is almost here, and we’re launching it with a waitlist game built for shakers who love a little friendly competition.
Let the game begin
The physical card waitlist will run for 3 full weeks, from May 21st to June 11th.
This isn’t a random queue.
You can actively climb the waitlist by using your virtual Shakepay Card in-store. More taps = more points. More points = better rank. Better rank = better outcomes.
Simple.
How to earn points
Every time you tap your virtual Shakepay Card at a physical store, you earn points.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Earn 21 points by spending at a physical store
- Earn 5x the points (105 total) if you’re one of the first 5 shakers to visit that store during the waitlist period
So yes, timing matters and exploration pays.
Note, only stores within Canada are eligible for a 5x point boost, however in-store taps worldwide will earn you 21 points.
What your rank unlocks
Your rank is based on your points in the waitlist game.
Top 2,100 waitlisters
You get your rank engraved on a Launch Edition card run.
Top 21,000 waitlisters
You get early access to the physical Shakepay Card before general release.
Beyond top 21,000
Your card will be ready during general release after our Launch Edition and early access cards have been sent out.
Everyone can get a physical Shakepay Card eventually. No one gets left behind. But if you want first dibs (and possibly engraved bragging rights), now’s the time to move.
Open the app, join the waitlist, and start tapping your virtual Shakepay Card in-store today. Every visit counts toward your rank.
Claim the crown
There’s one more layer, purely for shaker glory:
The shaker with the most in-store visits at a merchant becomes that merchant’s mayor
Important:
- Mayor is for fun
- Mayor status does not earn points
- Mayor status does not change your rank directly
It’s a flex, not a multiplier.
Turn Canada orange
Here’s the big community play: every time 5 unique shakers visit the same Canadian-based merchant, that merchant turns orange.
Why this matters: orange isn’t just a game state. It’s proof that shakers are everywhere. Big cities, small towns, your neighborhood coffee spot, that corner store you pass every day. It shows that Shakepay isn’t “some app on the internet.” It’s real people, spending locally, all across Canada.
Think of it like a live map of shaker momentum:
- You see community in action at real businesses near you
- You discover where shakers already shop in your area
- You help light up Canada, one merchant at a time
So when a merchant turns orange, it means five different shakers showed up there. Different people. Same movement. Coast to coast.
And yes, it’s very satisfying to watch Canada slowly glow orange.
Bring your favourite local spot with you
During the waitlist, eligible merchants can earn sats based on the total points their store earns over the course of the campaign. If a merchant joins Shakepay for Business through your referral link by June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET, they may get the sats their location earned, and if you're the first successful referrer, you may get the same amount too. Check the FAQs below for the full details on eligibility, timing, and how rewards work.
Quick strategy for shakers who play to win
- Tap in-store often
- Hit new Canadian merchants early for the 5x point boost
- Don’t confuse mayor with points
- Keep climbing until you lock your spot
Frequently asked questions
How do I join the waitlist?
Join directly from the home page or card tab of the Shakepay app, then start using your virtual Shakepay Card at physical stores to earn points.
How do I earn points?
You earn points from in-store visits made with your virtual Shakepay Card:
- 21 points per visit
- 105 points (5x) if you’re one of the first 5 shakers to visit that store during the waitlist period
Note, only stores within Canada are eligible for a 5x point boost, however in-store taps worldwide will earn you 21 points.
What counts as a visit?
A visit is a successful in-store tap transaction with your virtual Shakepay Card at a merchant.
Is there a limit to the number of times I can visit a merchant?
There’s no visit limit, however you can only record a visit at a merchant once every 30 minutes. Sorry, scanning each individual grocery item at the self checkout won’t count as 15 visits.
Where can I see my points and current rank?
See your point total, points activity, current waitlist rank and more by clicking on the waitlist banner on the home page or card tab of the Shakepay app.
What does being mayor mean?
Mayor means you have the most in-store visits at a specific Canadian merchant during the waitlist period. It’s a fun status badge.
Does mayor status affect my points?
No. Mayor status does not add points and does not directly boost your rank.
What does it mean when a store turns orange?
A store turns orange after 5 unique shakers have visited it during the waitlist period. That means the 5x point bonus is no longer available at that store.
How do I get the Launch Edition card?
Finish in the top 2,100 on the waitlist. Those shakers get a Launch Edition physical Shakepay Card with rank engraving.
What do I get if I rank in the top 21,000?
You get early access to the physical Shakepay Card before general release.
What happens if I am not in the top 21,000?
You’ll still get a physical Shakepay Card, just later than early-access waitlisters. Your rank on the waitlist will determine when you’ll be able to order your physical card.
Once the waitlist is over, will my physical card be sent automatically?
No, there will still be some steps for you to take to receive your physical card, such as confirming your shipping address.
Your rank on the waitlist will determine when you’ll be able to order your physical card.
You’ll be notified as soon as you’re eligible to order your physical card and you can complete the order process in the app or on our website.
How does the merchant referral program work?
During the Physical Card Waitlist, you can help bring your favourite local shops to Shakepay. Stores can earn sats from customer activity during the waitlist. If a store owner signs up through your in-app referral link, the merchant may receive the sats their store accumulated, and the first successful referrer may receive an equal amount too.
Do merchant referrals help me move up the waitlist?
No. Merchant referrals don't add points to your waitlist leaderboard position. Your place on the leaderboard is based solely on the waitlist rules shown in the app.
Which merchants are eligible?
A merchant needs to be located in Canada and complete Shakepay for Business onboarding through a qualifying referral link by June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Rewards are handled by store location, not brand name.
What can I earn for referring a merchant?
If you're the first successful referrer for a store, you may receive the same amount of sats that store earned during the waitlist. For example, if Joe's Coffee Shop accumulates sats from customer activity and Joe signs up as the owner, Joe may receive that amount, and the first successful referrer may receive an equal amount too.
Can a merchant earn rewards too?
Yes. When an eligible merchant successfully joins Shakepay for Business, they may receive the sats their store accumulated during the waitlist.
Are there any additional prizes?
Shakepay may surprise eligible customers, merchants, or both with additional promotional prizes during the campaign. Any additional prizes are awarded at Shakepay's sole discretion.
Is everyone guaranteed to get a reward or prize?
No. Rewards are promotional and depend on eligibility, merchant signup, successful referral attribution, verification, timing, and other applicable conditions. Shakepay may award rewards or additional prizes at its sole discretion.
When will rewards be paid?
Rewards may be paid during or after the campaign, once eligibility and attribution are confirmed. Merchants may receive rewards after they complete the required Shakepay for Business onboarding steps.
Do merchants sponsor or endorse Shakepay by joining?
No. Participating merchants are not affiliated with, sponsoring, or endorsing Shakepay unless explicitly stated otherwise. They're simply eligible businesses that may choose to join Shakepay for Business.
Disclaimer: Participation in the waitlist for the physical Shakepay Visa* Prepaid Card is offered and administered solely by Shakepay. This waitlist program is a promotional initiative and may be modified, suspended, or terminated by Shakepay at any time, without prior notice and without liability to any participant.
- Ranking & Points: Waitlist position is determined by points earned through successful in-store transactions using the Shakepay Card. Points are awarded only for settled "Purchase" transactions; Shakepay reserves the right to exclude certain transaction types at its sole discretion, including but not limited to: cash-like transactions (e.g., money transfers, gambling, or gift card funding), reversals, or refunded purchases.
- Limited Edition Engraving: Only the top 2,100 participants, as determined by Shakepay’s internal records at the close of the promotion, will be eligible for the limited edition engraved physical card. Shakepay reserves the right to disqualify any participant suspected of "gaming" the system, automated activity, or fraudulent transactions, and may adjust rankings accordingly at its sole discretion.
- No Guarantee of Rank: Shakepay makes no representations or warranties regarding a participant’s final position. A participant’s rank may fluctuate until the waitlist is officially closed and audited. In the event of a tie in point totals, the higher rank will be awarded to the participant with the highest number of qualifying transactions. If a tie persists, the participant who joined the waitlist earlier will be awarded the higher position.
- General Terms: Shakepay reserves the right to modify waitlist rules for all or certain participants or to remove any participant(s) from the list at Shakepay’s sole and absolute discretion, without notice and without liability. Physical cards are subject to availability and cardholder agreement terms.
Shakepay Visa* Prepaid Card is issued by Peoples Trust Company pursuant to licence by Visa Int. *Trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under licence by Peoples Trust Company.