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# Introduction

The Arkéa Cards API lets partners issue virtual and physical cards, follow card
transactions in near real time, and control spending without handling card data
themselves.

> **Info**
>
> This developer portal is a demo built with Fern. The API reference and partner
> guides are illustrative — the production Arkéa API is private and access is granted
> per partner agreement.

## What you can build

#### Card issuing

Issue virtual cards instantly, or order physical cards for your cardholders.

#### Transactions

Read authorizations and settled transactions, enriched with merchant category codes.

#### Spend controls

Set per-interval spending limits, and freeze or terminate a card in one call.

## Getting started

1. Read the [Authentication](/cards/documentation/getting-started/authentication) guide — Cards uses the same OAuth 2.0 client-credentials flow as Open Banking.
2. Review the [card lifecycle](/cards/documentation/getting-started/card-lifecycle) before you issue your first card.
3. Sign in with your partner credentials to unlock the API Reference and your partner portal.

> **Warn**
>
> The **API Reference** and **partner portals** are gated behind partner roles.
> Sign in as a `partner-a` or `partner-b` user to see them.