Visa and Stripe plan global expansion of stablecoin card issuance product to over 100 countries

Visa and Bridge, a stablecoin firm owned by Stripe, announced plans to globally expand their stablecoin-linked card issuance product to over 100 countries by the end of the year, up from its initial focus in Central and South America where it is currently live in 18 nations. This product allows users to make everyday purchases using funds drawn from stablecoin balances in wallets like MetaMask and Phantom, leveraging Visa's 175 million merchant network. The expansion follows increased stablecoin experimentation in finance, spurred partly by the U.S. GENIUS Act. Bridge CEO Zach Abrams noted this will allow businesses launching custom stablecoins to integrate them seamlessly into card programs. Visa Head of Crypto Cuy Sheffield emphasized the move brings the speed and programmability of stablecoins into the settlement process. This initiative builds on previous collaborations, including a stablecoin settlement pilot, and comes as Stripe expands its crypto offerings, including stablecoin issuance tools and its Tempo blockchain co-development, following Bridge's conditional approval for a national bank charter.

(Source：The Block)