Visa and Bridge Expand Stablecoin Cards to 100+ Countries by 2026

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Visa and Bridge Are Expanding Stablecoin Cards to 100+ Countries

Key Takeaways

  • Visa and Bridge are expanding stablecoin cards from 18 to 100+ countries by end of 2026
  • MetaMask and Phantom users can already spend crypto directly from self-custody wallets
  • Settlement is shifting — Solana blockchain is being tested to replace fiat conversion

The two companies revealed plans to significantly expand their stablecoin-linked card program. Currently available in 18 countries, they aim to launch it in over 100 more by the end of 2026, including regions in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Because the cards work with Visa’s network of over 175 million merchants globally, users in these new areas will be able to spend their stablecoins at any place that accepts Visa.

From Latin America Experiment to Global Rollout

The program began in April 2025, starting with Latin American countries like Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. This region was a good place to test the program because stablecoins – digital currencies pegged to the US dollar – are already popular there. In countries where the local currency is unstable, people are genuinely looking for ways to save and spend US dollars without using traditional banks or financial systems.

After successfully establishing themselves, Bridge and Visa grew into markets like Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US. Their goal of operating in 100 countries shows they’ve finished testing and are now focused on full implementation.

What Bridge Actually Built

Bridge, which Stripe bought for $1.1 billion in early 2025—Stripe’s biggest acquisition so far—handles the behind-the-scenes work that allows new types of cards to function. It lets fintech companies and digital wallet providers easily issue Visa cards backed by stablecoins, without needing to build separate financial systems for each country. Bridge says businesses can integrate its technology and start launching cards in less than four weeks.

This API isn’t limited to new fintech companies. Popular crypto wallets like MetaMask and Phantom are already using it. This allows their users to spend stablecoins directly from their wallets for everyday purchases, without needing to transfer funds to a separate card. The API makes this possible through secure smart contracts, and a service called Bridge handles the technical details like transaction fees, security, and currency conversion at the time of purchase.

Bridge provides a platform called “Open Issuance” that lets businesses create their own stablecoins and integrate them into their own branded card programs. This allows companies to fully control their financial systems – they create the digital currency, issue the cards, and earn fees on every purchase made with those cards.

The Settlement Layer Is Shifting

One of the most important parts of the announcement involves how transactions will be processed. Visa is working with Lead Bank, the bank that provides the cards, to test a new system. This system will use stablecoins on the Solana blockchain to settle transactions directly on the blockchain, which could speed up the process and reduce costs.

Bridge used to change stablecoins into traditional money when a purchase was made. Now, they’ve simplified things by settling payments directly on the blockchain. This aims to speed up transactions, reduce costs, and make everything more open and clear. It’s a small but important change, as Visa, a long-established payment system, is now testing blockchain-based settlements.

It’s still uncertain if settling transactions directly on the blockchain will work well for many different markets, considering their unique rules, banking connections, and how easily things can be bought and sold. However, the trend towards this type of system is obvious.

The Regulatory Window Is Open

This expansion is happening now for a reason. The U.S. just passed the GENIUS Act, which creates clearer rules for how stablecoins are issued and used. For companies developing stablecoins for global use, uncertainty about regulations has always been a major challenge. Having clear rules in the largest financial market – the U.S. – significantly reduces that risk.

Visa and Mastercard are responding rapidly to recent changes. Mastercard has begun allowing U.S. cardholders to spend stablecoins directly through a partnership with MetaMask, similar to the approach taken by Bridge and Visa. Currently, both payment networks are following very similar strategies.

What’s Actually at Stake

As a crypto investor, I’m less worried about *if* these crypto cards actually work – they do, and we’re already seeing strong interest in places like Latin America where traditional banking isn’t great. What I really want to know is if they’re actually changing the game, or just adding another way to spend money without fundamentally altering how the financial system works. Are they truly disruptive, or just a convenient add-on?

Currently, Bridge relies on Visa for processing payments, Lead Bank for its operating license, and traditional banking systems to move money in and out. Their test program with Solana shows potential for future changes, but it’s still in early stages. They’re building the necessary foundation, but it’s not fully operational yet.

Stripe bought Bridge to prepare for a future where stablecoins are commonly used for international payments. It’s unclear if that future will happen exactly as Stripe expects, but with Visa handling distribution and access to 175 million businesses, they’re well-positioned to test the idea and see what happens.

This article is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com doesn’t support or suggest any particular investment or cryptocurrency. Always do your own research and talk to a qualified financial advisor before investing.

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2026-03-04 00:50