Open Banking and Bank Payments

How Stacked connects to your bank, and how payments work

Stacked supports multiple ways to make payments from your bank account. This includes open banking connections, as well as manual bank transfers.

Each option is designed to give you flexibility, while keeping payments fast and secure.

What is open banking?

Open banking allows you to securely connect your bank account to a service like Stacked, with your permission.

Instead of entering account numbers or making manual transfers, you can approve payments directly from your bank. These connections are controlled by you and can be removed at any time.

For most major banks in New Zealand, this now uses regulated open banking standards. You are redirected to your bank to approve access, and your banking credentials are not shared with Stacked or anyone else.

Some smaller banks may still use older connection methods. Where this applies, you will see this clearly during setup.

How payments work at Stacked

Akahu (connected payments)

Akahu allows you to connect your bank account to Stacked and make payments directly from within the Stacked Wallet or via Stacked in a web browser.

• Make payments without leaving Stacked
• Avoid manual bank transfers and input errors
• Lock-in your purchase rate at execution

You choose which accounts to connect, and you can remove access at any time.

POLi (one-off payments)

POLi is used for one-off payments where you do not want to create a persistent connection.

• No ongoing connection to your account
• Suitable for occasional payments
• Redirects you to your bank to complete the payment

Manual bank transfer

You can also make a payment by sending funds directly from your bank account.

• You must pay from a bank account in your own name
• Payments must be within your account limits
• You can verify your bank account in advance under My Account and then Payment Options
• Your first payment can also be used to verify your account, which may take additional time

Manual transfers are a good option if you prefer not to use open banking, but they may take longer to process. Your rate for bitcoin purchases will only be locked when your payment is processed, which means you may see some slippage in price.

Managing your bank connections

You can manage your connected bank accounts at any time.

• In the app: tap the bank icon while logged in to view and manage connections (Akahu only)
• On the web: go to My Account and then Payment Options

You can disconnect your bank account at any time. This will stop any future payments from being initiated through Stacked.

Security and control

Open banking is designed to give you control over how your data and payments are used.

• You must approve each connection and payment
• You can revoke access at any time
• Your bank handles authentication and approval

For most customers, this uses regulated bank APIs and secure redirects. In some cases, particularly with smaller banks, different connection methods may still be used.

Need help?

If you are having trouble connecting your bank account or making a payment, contact support and we will help you through it.