Global payments giant Visa is expanding its partnership with Stripe-owned Bridge to scale stablecoin-backed cards to more than 100 countries. Summary Visa and Stripe’s Bridge will expand stablecoin cards to over 100 countries by end of 2026. The cards let users spend stablecoins at 175M+ Visa merchants worldwide. Settlement is supported through Visa’s on-chain stablecoin pilot with Lead Bank. In a statement published on March 3, Visa confirmed that the expanded program will allow businesses and developers to issue cards linked to stablecoins, with transactions settled on-chain through Bridge’s partnership with Lead Bank. The product was first released in 2025 with a targeted rollout in several Latin American countries, including Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. Since then, it has progressively expanded its global reach to operate in 18 countries. Stablecoin Cards Move Toward Global Reach The partnership is now preparing for its next stage of growth, with plans to extend coverage throughout Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East by the end of 2026. Through Bridge, businesses can issue Visa cards that let customers spend stablecoins directly at over 175 million merchant locations across the globe. These cards convert digital assets into payments that function like traditional debit cards, without requiring users to first move funds into a bank account. Several major crypto platforms already use the service. Bridge-powered cards have been integrated by wallet providers like 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 lets partners settle transactions on supported blockchains using stablecoins. The aim is faster settlements, greater transparency, and lower costs than traditional banking systems. According to Visa, the system allows faster reconciliation and more flexible settlement options for fintech firms and program managers operating across borders. What the Expansion Means for Payments and Crypto The wider rollout reflects Visa’s long-term push to connect blockchain-based assets with its global payments network. Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of crypto, said the initiative brings “speed, transparency, and programmability” into settlement processes while preserving institutional-grade security. For Bridge and Stripe, the move supports their strategy of helping businesses launch custom stablecoins that can be used directly within card programs. Bridge chief executive officer Zach Abrams said the partnership allows companies to control more of their financial infrastructure without rebuilding payment systems from scratch. The expansion also shows growing confidence in stablecoins as a practical payment tool rather than a niche crypto product. With cards already live in 18 countries and a roadmap toward more than 100, stablecoins are moving closer to mainstream consumer use. At the same time, Visa is reviewing whether Bridge-issued digital assets could play a larger role in future settlement flows. If approved, this could introduce new pathways for moving funds across borders using blockchain technology.
