Business
March 4, 2026
Visa stablecoin cards are set to reach more than 100 countries by end of 2026, as Visa and Bridge, a Stripe company, expand their global card issuance program. Stablecoin-backed cards are already live in 18 countries right now, letting users spend directly from stablecoin balances at over 175 million Visa merchant locations worldwide. The program also introduces onchain settlement, letting crypto Visa card transactions settle directly on supported blockchain networks.
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How Visa Stablecoin Cards and Stripe Bridge Advance Global Onchain Payments
The Expansion Plan
The planned rollout covers Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Platforms like Phantom and MetaMask are already using Bridge to let millions of users spend stablecoins on everyday purchases through stablecoin-backed cards. Lead Bank is also part of Visa’s stablecoin settlement pilot, enabling onchain settlement for Bridge-enabled card programs and testing faster fund movement through on-chain reconciliation.
Cuy Sheffield, Head of Crypto at Visa, stated:
“Visa is committed to meeting businesses where they operate, and increasingly, that’s onchain. Expanding our work with Bridge gives us one more way to bring the speed, transparency and programmability of stablecoins directly into the settlement process. This milestone gives our partners greater choice in how they move value, and it reinforces Visa’s role as a trusted network connecting stablecoins and the global payments ecosystem.”
Bridge-Issued Assets and What Comes Next
Visa is also evaluating support for Bridge-issued assets in future payment flows, which could open a new settlement pathway for partners using crypto Visa card programs. Visa stablecoin cards could become a standard tool in markets that have historically lacked traditional banking access.
Zach Abrams, CEO and cofounder of Bridge, stated:
“We’re on a multiyear journey to help businesses own their own financial stack. This expansion of our work with Visa will enable businesses launching their own custom stablecoins to use them seamlessly within their card programs.”
Also Read: Ripple Payments Becomes Global Stablecoin And Fiat Settlement Network
