💳 My payment was declined - so why are the funds still reserved?
We understand it's worrying to see funds held in your account after a card payment has been declined. The good news: this money has not been taken. What you're seeing is a temporary pre-authorisation hold, and it will be released back to you. Here's what's happening and what to expect.
A declined payment means no money has changed hands. The reserved amount is a temporary hold, not a charge — and it is returned to you automatically.
What is a pre-authorisation hold?
When you buy crypto, the purchase is handled by one of our licensed exchange providers. To check that funds are available, the provider asks your bank to temporarily reserve the purchase amount. This is a standard banking security step used across almost all card payments.
If the payment is then declined, the provider does not collect the money. The reserved amount is released - but your bank, not Jiggle or the provider, controls how quickly that release appears on your statement. This is why funds can briefly look "stuck" even though the payment never completed.
Why was my payment declined in the first place?
Declines are decided by your bank or the exchange provider, not by Jiggle. Common reasons include:
Your bank flagged the payment for security and blocked it
The card details, billing address or payment method didn't match the provider's checks
The payment method wasn't in your own name (providers require this for identity verification)
Identity or verification checks couldn't be completed at the time
If your payment keeps being declined, it's worth contacting your bank first - they can sometimes help.
How long until the funds are released?
This depends entirely on your bank. As a guide:
Scenario | Typical release timeline |
Instant release | Funds may free up almost immediately. |
Standard release | The hold is usually released within 72 hours. |
Rare cases | Depending on your bank's policies, it can occasionally take up to 14 business days. |
What you can do
Wait for the standard window. In most cases the hold clears on its own within a few days - no action needed.
Check your statement carefully. A "pending" or "reserved" amount is a hold, not a completed charge. It should not appear as money actually spent.
Contact your bank for the exact timeline. Because the release is controlled by your bank, they can tell you precisely when a pending hold will drop off — and lift any security block that caused the decline.
Still concerned after 14 business days? Get in touch with us and we'll help you trace it with the relevant provider.
Got more questions? Reach out to our agents via our live chat. Alternatively, contact us in the Jiggle app or send us an email at [email protected]. Whatever you chose, our agents are available 24/7 and will be able to assist you!
Jiggle is not affiliated with any third-party platforms, external links, or any other third-party resources mentioned in this article. As such, Jiggle cannot guarantee the performance of third-party products or services, or that the steps shown and the information provided will always be accurate.