As the TikTok community continues to thrive, millions of people are turning their passions into viable businesses, growing communities and building careers. TikTok LIVE has become a key engine of this growth, enabling creators to connect with audiences in real time and earn directly from their content.
Today, TikTok has partnered with Visa, a global leader in digital payments, to launch a debit card specifically designed for content creators in the UK. The first of its kind, the launch comes in response to the UK’s fast-growing creator economy and is designed to give creators access to the financial tools they need to run and grow their business.
Currently, creators who earn income through TikTok LIVE typically manage their finances through their personal bank account. Visa research amongst creators on multiple social media platforms shows that 86% of creator-run businesses are self-funded and 49% experience late payments, highlighting the ongoing cash flow challenges they face. The new Creator Card gives creators access to tools designed to better separate business and personal finances, and follows Visa’s previous recognition of creators as small businesses and their impact on the digital economy.
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.
Lucy Demery, SVP, Head of Visa Commercial Solutions, Europe, said: “We are incredibly excited to launch the UK Creator Card with TikTok to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs in the digital economy. 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. 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”
Supporting Creators Behind the Scenes
While the creator economy is booming, creators are navigating financial challenges as they grow their business.
New Visa research highlights:
- Almost half (49%) of creators report that late or inconsistent payments have impacted their ability to run their business
- Two in five (41%) have had to turn down new opportunities due to cash flow issues
- Over a third (37%) say payment delays cause stress or anxiety
Creators as Entrepreneurs
According to Visa, there are approximately 200 million creators worldwide, with the sector projected to reach $500 billion by 2027. Previous research from Visa uncovered:
- 88% expect business revenue growth in the next year
- 85% are full- or part-time creators earning up to $100K annually
- Many creators manage multiple revenue streams, with 94% posting brand partnerships, 78% engaged in affiliate marketing, and 77% promoting services at least once a month
Paula D'Urbano Country Manager, TikTok LIVE UK, Ireland & Baltics: "TikTok LIVE is creating the next generation of digital entrepreneurs, transforming the way creators and audiences connect in real-time. By partnering with Visa, we’re giving the LIVE community even more ways to manage their rewards - helping creators to turn their passion into a sustainable career."
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.co.uk
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy.
TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
About the research:
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of UK 1000 professional content creators across multiple social media platforms. The data was collected between 19.03.2026 - 23.06.2026. Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the British Polling Council (BPC), and a signatory of the Global Data Quality Pledge. We adhere to the MRS Code of Conduct and ESOMAR principles.
About Visa’s Monetized Visa 2025 Creator Report Visa partnered with Morning Consult to survey over 1,000 creators across the US, Brazil, Australia, the UK, and UAE to understand the business, financial, and professional needs of the global creator community.