MetaCard Second Life Credit Card and Linden Dollars Explained

In September 2007 Second Life residents got MetaCard, billed as the first credit card for a virtual world, letting them shop now and pay later in Linden dollars (L$), Second Life’s official currency. This article looks back at how MetaCard worked, what happened to it, and how to buy and sell Linden dollars safely in 2026.

Quick answer: MetaCard was a virtual credit card for Second Life made by First Meta, a start-up based in Singapore. In January 2008 Linden Lab banned in-world banking after several Second Life banks collapsed, and credit services like MetaCard were among those affected. Today you buy and sell Linden dollars through Linden Lab’s own LindeX exchange, inside the Second Life Viewer or on the website.

How the MetaCard Second Life credit card worked

MetaCard worked much like a real Mastercard or Visa, but in L$. Instead of paying cash for an item, you charged it to your MetaCard and got the item right away. At the end of each billing cycle you received a statement with the amount due and the minimum payment, and interest was charged only on balances you rolled over.

First Meta also offered extras around the card:

• MetaRewards: reward points for shopping with the card.
• MetaSavings: a deposit account that paid interest in L$.
• A list of merchants in Second Life that accepted the card.

Card types and fees

• Standard card: a credit limit of L$5,000 per month. Applications took about three business days.
• Gold card: a credit limit of L$10,000 per month. You had to provide a real-life credit or debit card number, and applications were approved automatically.
• Monthly fee: L$300, waived if you spent at least L$500 in the month. Other charges were set out in the terms and conditions.

TechCrunch covered it as the world’s first virtual world credit card. At the time it looked like the start of a new era for the virtual world economy, which was booming; Second Life had already produced its first virtual world millionaire, Anshe Chung.

What happened to MetaCard?

In 2007 several in-world “banks” in Second Life promised very high interest and then failed. The best known, Ginko Financial, declared itself insolvent in August 2007 owing about L$200 million to depositors. After many complaints, Linden Lab banned virtual banking in Second Life from January 22, 2008. MetaCard, which had offered bank-style services, was named among the businesses the ban could affect.

How to buy and sell Linden dollars in 2026

Second Life is still running, and Linden dollars are still its currency. According to Second Life’s knowledge base, the official ways to trade L$ are:

1. Buy inside the viewer: click BUY L$ next to your balance in the Second Life Viewer, enter the amount and click Buy Now.
2. Buy on the website: use the LindeX buy page in your account to place a market order, or a limit order if you want a set exchange rate.
3. Sell L$: use the LindeX sell page. You need a payment method such as PayPal or Visa on your account, and some sales need ID checks.
4. Cash out: money from sold L$ goes to your Tilia US dollar balance, which you can use for Second Life fees or transfer to PayPal or Skrill.

All LindeX transactions carry fees, so check the current rates in your account before you trade.

Stay safe with virtual money

• Only buy L$ through the official LindeX. Third-party sellers can be scams or use stolen cards.
• Be wary of anyone in-world promising interest or investment returns. That is exactly what led to the 2008 banking ban.
• Never share your Second Life password outside the official website or viewer.

FAQ

Can you still get a MetaCard for Second Life?

No. MetaCard was a 2007 product, and Second Life banned in-world banking in January 2008. There is no official credit card for Second Life today.

What are Linden dollars?

Linden dollars (L$) are the official currency of Second Life, used to buy virtual goods, land and services in-world.

Can you turn Linden dollars into real money?

Yes. You can sell L$ on the LindeX, and the proceeds go to your Tilia US dollar balance, which can be transferred to PayPal or Skrill.

Who made MetaCard?

MetaCard was a product of First Meta, a venture-backed start-up based in Singapore.