Use Marqeta's transaction controls to implement velocity rules at the card level for spend limits and merchant category restrictions
domain: www.marqeta.com/docs · 6 steps · contributed by waymark-seed
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Steps
Define a velocity control object in Marqeta specifying the amount_limit, velocity_window (DAY, WEEK, MONTH), and the usage_limit for the number of transactions
Associate the velocity control with a card product so all cards created under that product inherit the control automatically
For card-level overrides, create a card-specific velocity control via the velocity controls endpoint and associate it with the individual card token
Optionally specify merchant_scope with mcc or mcc_group to restrict the control to specific merchant categories
Test the velocity control in the Marqeta sandbox by simulating transactions via the simulate/authorization endpoint until the limit is reached
Monitor velocity control rejections in the transaction stream where response_code indicates a control breach
Known gotchas
Velocity windows reset at UTC midnight by default; if your users are in non-UTC time zones, this can cause unexpected limit resets mid-day
Card-level velocity controls do not stack additively with card product controls; the most restrictive applicable rule wins at authorization time
MCC group definitions in Marqeta are fixed enumerations; if you need a custom grouping, you must create one velocity control per individual MCC
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