Key Highlights
- Bridge and Visa are scaling stablecoin-powered Visa cards from 18 nations to over 100 markets by late 2026
- Users can make purchases using crypto wallets such as MetaMask and Phantom at 175 million Visa-accepting merchants worldwide
- Visa’s stablecoin payment volume reached an annualized $4.6 billion rate in December 2025
- Onchain settlement capabilities launched through Lead Bank partnership, enabling direct stablecoin transaction processing
- Bridge secured conditional US national bank charter approval in February 2026
Visa has partnered with Bridge, the Stripe-owned stablecoin infrastructure company, to extend stablecoin-linked payment cards to more than 100 countries worldwide by year-end 2026. The initiative, initially launched across Latin American markets in 2025, currently operates in 18 nations.
These payment cards enable consumers to complete purchases using stablecoin holdings stored in cryptocurrency wallets. Compatible wallets include MetaMask and Phantom. Merchants process these payments in their native fiat currency, maintaining the same transaction experience as traditional card payments.
The global rollout will encompass European, Asia-Pacific, African, and Middle Eastern markets. All purchases will be accepted at Visa’s established network of 175 million merchant partners worldwide.
Stripe completed its $1.1 billion acquisition of Bridge, positioning the company to expand its stablecoin payment infrastructure. Following the acquisition, Bridge submitted an application for a US national bank charter.
In February 2026, Bridge obtained conditional regulatory approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. This authorization permits Bridge to provide crypto custody services, issue stablecoins, and oversee stablecoin reserve management.
The payment program accepts four stablecoin types: Circle’s USDC, the euro-denominated EURC, PayPal USD, and Paxos Global Dollar. Transaction processing occurs across four blockchain protocols: Solana, Ethereum, Stellar, and Avalanche.
Direct Onchain Settlement Now Available
A significant advancement in the program introduces native stablecoin settlement functionality. This capability emerged from Bridge’s collaboration with Lead Bank, an independent commercial banking institution participating in Visa’s blockchain settlement pilot initiative.
Previously, Bridge’s system required converting stablecoin balances to traditional currency before finalizing transactions. The updated infrastructure allows transactions to settle directly onchain through Visa’s network.
Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s crypto division leader, emphasized the company’s strategy to operate where commercial activity occurs, noting the increasing shift toward blockchain-based transactions.
Visa’s stablecoin settlement volume hit an annualized rate of $4.6 billion as of December 2025.
Bridge-Issued Stablecoins Under Consideration
Visa is exploring integration with Bridge-issued stablecoins. These proprietary stablecoins would be created and administered by businesses through Bridge’s platform, offering an alternative to established third-party stablecoin providers like Tether or Circle.
Bridge CEO Zach Abrams explained this feature would empower businesses to deploy proprietary stablecoins within their payment card programs.
Mastercard has similarly entered the stablecoin payment arena. The company recently launched stablecoin-enabled card spending capabilities in the United States through integration with MetaMask’s self-custodial wallet platform.
Stripe is simultaneously developing Tempo, a blockchain network optimized for payment processing, in partnership with venture capital firm Paradigm. The passage of the GENIUS Act, US legislation addressing stablecoin regulation, has encouraged traditional financial institutions to explore blockchain payment innovations.
Bridge’s February 2026 conditional national bank charter represents the latest milestone in the company’s regulatory journey.
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