Straight answers.
How is Alpha different from my bank?
Alpha does everything you use a bank for: hold your money, pay, get paid, earn. The difference is where your money lives. At a bank it is a deposit on their balance sheet, which they lend out and can freeze. On Alpha it is held as fully reserved digital dollars, redeemable one-to-one, in an account only you control. Nobody, including Alpha, can read it, move it or lend it. That is a different kind of protection from a bank's, and for most people a stronger one.
Where is my money, exactly?
In your account on the ledger, held as fully reserved digital dollars. Alpha never holds it. The ledger proves every second that it holds every dollar it owes, and anyone can check.
Can Alpha see my payments?
No. Your balance and every payment are sealed on your phone before they leave it. Alpha can respond to a lawful request through a logged process that needs several keyholders, and that is the only exception.
What if I lose my phone?
Any two of three can let you back in: your backup key, a person you trust, and Alpha. Recovery takes 72 hours, during which you can stop it from any device if it wasn't you.
What does it cost?
The account and card are free. Payments between Alpha accounts are free. Converting local money in or out costs 0.25% at the real rate, or 0% on Elite Metal (US$24.99 a month). There is no foreign card fee. Every $AG you earn is valued at US$1 against any Alpha fee.
Which countries?
One account works everywhere the card network is accepted, which is every country on earth. Opening an account depends on your country of residence; join the waitlist and we'll tell you when yours is live.
How fast is a payment?
Between Alpha accounts, under a second, any hour of any day. To an account outside Alpha, as fast as the receiving system allows, with the exact amount shown before you approve.
What is $AG?
Alpha's reward. You earn it on card spending and for bringing friends. Every $AG is valued at US$1 across Alpha and pays your fees. It is earned, not sold, and it never expires.
Can I get my money out whenever I want?
Yes. Move your money anywhere, any time. You never need Alpha's permission, and the ledger lets you whatever happens to Alpha.
When does it open?
2027. The waitlist is free, and the people on it get in first, country by country.