TLDR
- Visa and Bridge plan stablecoin-linked card access in more than 100 countries by late 2026.
- The program is already live in 18 countries, with an early focus on Latin America.
- Users can spend stablecoin balances at more than 175 million Visa merchant locations.
- Bridge and Lead Bank support onchain settlement while merchants receive local fiat currency.
Visa and Bridge are expanding their stablecoin card program to more than 100 countries by late 2026. The move extends a product already live in 18 markets and targets wider use across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
The program allows fintech firms and wallet providers to issue Visa cards linked to stablecoin balances. Users can spend from compatible wallets, while merchants receive local fiat through Visa’s network.
Visa and Bridge broaden stablecoin card rollout
Visa and Bridge said they are scaling their collaboration for stablecoin-linked Visa cards. The rollout is planned for more than 100 countries by the end of 2026. The program is already active in 18 countries. Early markets include Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Chile.
The current focus reflects demand in regions with currency volatility and limited banking access. In these markets, dollar-pegged stablecoins can offer another payment option. The product mainly centers on USDC from Circle. It may also support other stablecoins, including EURC, PYUSD, or Global Dollar, depending on the issuer.
This product is not a direct consumer card issued by Visa. It is card infrastructure for fintech companies, developers, and wallet platforms. These partners can launch their own stablecoin-backed Visa cards. Visa provides network acceptance, and Bridge manages the stablecoin infrastructure.
The companies said the cards can be used at more than 175 million merchant locations worldwide. That gives cardholders broad access for daily purchases. Bridge said businesses and developers have already started rolling out the product in several regions.
How the card model works for users and merchants
The card works through Visa’s payment network at checkout. The user pays with stablecoin balances from a supported crypto wallet. Compatible wallets may include MetaMask, Phantom, and other self-custody options. The merchant does not need to handle crypto directly.
Behind the scenes, settlement can occur onchain through Bridge’s infrastructure. This may use supported blockchain networks such as Solana or Ethereum. Bridge said its work with Lead Bank helps support these settlement flows. The process allows users to spend digital dollars, while merchants receive local fiat currency.
That structure reduces visible crypto friction for sellers. It also removes the need for a separate off-ramp in many cases. Bridge said the product is designed for businesses that want to offer payment cards tied to stablecoin balances. It also supports firms that want to build card programs around custom stablecoins.
Bridge CEO and cofounder Zach Abrams said, “We’re on a multiyear journey to help businesses own their own financial stack.” He added that the expanded work will help businesses use custom stablecoins within card programs.
Visa tests broader stablecoin settlement options
Visa said the expansion also connects with its stablecoin settlement pilot. The company said the pilot supports settlement with stablecoins on supported blockchain networks. The work examines more settlement choices for issuers and program managers. It also reviews reconciliation processes and faster fund movement.
Bridge said Lead Bank is part of this structure and supports onchain settlement with Visa. Visa has also said Lead Bank is involved in its stablecoin settlement pilot. The pilot is testing how blockchain-based settlement can fit into existing payment operations.
Visa Head of Crypto Cuy Sheffield said, “Visa is committed to meeting businesses where they operate, and increasingly, that’s onchain.” He also said, “This milestone gives our partners greater choice in how they move value.” The companies have not announced launch dates for each new country.
The broader rollout comes as Visa continues to test stablecoin payment infrastructure in several markets. At the same time, the company is reviewing whether Bridge-issued assets could support more payment flows within Visa’s network.
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