Visa and Bridge expand partnership to deliver stablecoin cards to over 100 countries
Dubai, UAE – March 3, 2026 – Visa and Bridge announced an expansion of their partnership to bring stablecoin-backed Visa cards to over 100 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific by the end of 2026. The collaboration builds on cards now live in 18 nations, enabling on-chain settlements through Lead Bank for faster, transparent payments. Crypto platforms like Phantom and MetaMask already use the cards for everyday purchases.
Announcement Specifics
The collaboration extends a card issuance product launched in 2025. Bridge, Stripe’s stablecoin infrastructure platform, powers the cards, allowing developers and FinTechs to offer stablecoin funding at Visa merchants worldwide. Transactions settle on-chain via Bridge’s partnership with Lead Bank, a participant in Visa’s stablecoin settlement pilot. This pilot tests efficiency gains from on-chain reconciliation and faster fund movement. Specific transaction volumes were not disclosed.
Stakeholder Perspective
“Visa is committed to meeting businesses where they operate, and increasingly, that’s on-chain. 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 digital currencies and the global payments ecosystem.”
— Cuy Sheffield, Head of Crypto at Visa
Why it matters: This underscores Visa’s strategy to bridge traditional payments with blockchain, offering issuers more settlement options without disrupting card networks.
Industry Context
Stablecoins are integrating into card infrastructure as settlement rails, not replacements. Merchants accept digital assets indirectly, with networks handling conversions. Bridge’s transaction volumes quadrupled in 2025 amid broader stablecoin growth to $33 trillion in transactions, signaling enterprise adoption.
The Middle East expansion targets fintech hubs like Dubai and Riyadh, where stablecoins gain traction amid regulatory progress. GCC treasurers are examining them for cross-border efficiency, boosting MENA’s role in global crypto payments. Hub-specific volumes for this partnership were not disclosed.
Conclusion
This partnership positions Visa and Bridge to accelerate stablecoin mainstreaming, potentially unlocking billions in on-chain commerce by the end of 2026. Wider FinTech adoption and increased regulatory scrutiny are expected as cards proliferate across regions.
Sources: PYMNTS, Visa Investor Relations, PYMNTS, Binance
