Global payments giant Visa is expanding its partnership with Stripe’s Bridge to roll out stablecoin cards in more than 100 countries.
Conclusion
- Visa and Stripe’s Bridge will expand stablecoin cards to more than 100 countries by the end of 2026.
- The cards allow users to spend stablecoins at 175M+ Visa merchants worldwide.
- Settlement is supported by Visa’s stablecoin pilot with Lead Bank.
In a statement released on March 3, Visa confirmed that the expanded program will allow businesses and developers to issue cards linked to stablecoins, with transactions settled through Bridge’s partnership with Lead Bank.
The product was first launched in 2025 with targeted distribution in several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Argentina and Colombia. Since then, it has gradually expanded its global reach to operate in 18 countries.
Stablecoin cards are moving towards global availability
The partnership is now preparing for the next phase of its growth and plans to expand its coverage across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East by the end of 2026. Through Bridge, businesses can issue Visa cards that allow customers to spend stablecoins directly at more than 175 million merchants worldwide.
These cards convert digital assets into payments that function like traditional debit cards without requiring users to transfer funds to a bank account.
Several major cryptographic platforms already use the service. Bridge-powered cards have been integrated by wallet providers such as Phantom and MetaMask, allowing millions of users to make daily purchases using their cryptocurrency balances.
The expansion builds on Visa’s stablecoin settlement pilot, which allows partners to complete transactions on supported blockchains using stablecoins. Settlements aim to be faster, more transparent and cost less than traditional banking systems.
According to Visa, the system enables faster reconciliation and flexible settlement options for fintech companies and program managers operating across borders.
What the expansion means for payments and crypto
The broader announcement reflects Visa’s long-term desire to connect its blockchain-based assets with its global payments network. Coy Sheffield, Visa’s head of crypto, said the initiative would bring “speed, transparency and programmability” to settlement processes and institutional-level security protections.
For Bridge and Stripe, the move supports their strategy to help businesses launch custom stablecoins that can be used directly in card applications. Bridge CEO Zach Abrams said the partnership allows companies to control more of their financial infrastructure without rebuilding payment systems from scratch.
The expansion also shows a growing confidence in stablecoins as a practical means of payment rather than a cryptographic product. With cards already live in 18 countries and a roadmap to more than 100, stablecoins are getting closer to mainstream consumer use.
At the same time, Visa is considering whether digital assets issued by Bridge could play a bigger role in future payments processes. If approved, this could introduce new ways of transferring funds across borders through blockchain technology.
