Visa Partners With Bridge to Launch Global Stablecoin Card Program

Visa and Bridge, the stablecoin infrastructure provider recently acquired by Stripe, announced a landmark partnership today that will enable consumers to make everyday purchases using stablecoins through Visa’s global merchant network. The collaboration introduces a new card-issuing product that allows fintech developers to offer stablecoin-linked Visa cards to customers across multiple countries through a single API integration, beginning with six Latin American nations and plans to expand into Europe, Africa, and Asia in coming months.

The initiative represents a significant step toward mainstream adoption of cryptocurrency for everyday transactions, effectively bridging the traditional financial system with digital assets. When consumers make purchases with these cards, Bridge will automatically convert their stablecoin balances to local currency behind the scenes, enabling merchants to receive payment in their native currency without any changes to their existing payment infrastructure.

Simplifying Global Card Issuance for Developers

The partnership addresses a fundamental challenge for fintech developers seeking to offer payment cards in multiple jurisdictions. According to Reuters, traditional card programs typically require separate banking relationships and payment partnerships in each country where a company wishes to operate, creating significant complexity and barriers to expansion.

Through the Visa-Bridge collaboration, developers can now launch card programs simultaneously in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Chile through a single integration. The platform handles the technical complexities of cross-border payments, currency conversion, and compliance requirements, dramatically reducing the time and resources required to expand payment offerings across borders.

“We’re focused on integrating stablecoins into Visa’s existing network and products in a frictionless and secure way,” said Jack Forestell, Visa’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer, highlighting the company’s commitment to making stablecoins usable in everyday transactions while giving consumers more options for managing their money.

Addressing Real-World Stablecoin Utility Challenges

Stablecoins have experienced dramatic growth in recent years but remain primarily used within cryptocurrency trading and limited decentralized finance applications. A key obstacle to broader adoption has been the difficulty in using these digital assets for everyday purchases, as merchants typically don’t accept cryptocurrency payments directly.

The Visa-Bridge solution elegantly solves this problem by leveraging Visa’s existing acceptance at more than 150 million merchant locations worldwide. When a customer uses their stablecoin-linked card, Investing.com reports that Bridge handles the conversion from stablecoin to local currency in real-time, creating a seamless experience for both consumers and merchants.

This interoperability is crucial for stablecoins to deliver on their promise of more efficient and inclusive financial services. By enabling stablecoin holders to easily spend their digital assets anywhere Visa is accepted, the partnership significantly enhances the utility and attractiveness of these cryptocurrencies for everyday users.

Strategic Significance Amid Regulatory Progress

The partnership announcement comes at a pivotal moment for stablecoins in the regulatory landscape. According to Bloomberg, the U.S. Congress appears likely to pass legislation creating stablecoin rules for the first time, which could accelerate institutional adoption of these digital assets.

For Visa, the collaboration with Bridge represents an extension of its broader strategy to integrate digital assets into its global payment network. The company has been gradually expanding its cryptocurrency initiatives, previously launching stablecoin settlement capabilities for cross-border payments between financial institutions and testing USDC settlement on the Ethereum and Solana blockchains.

Bridge, which was acquired by payment giant Stripe in February 2025 for a reported $1.1 billion, specializes in infrastructure that enables seamless transitions between traditional currencies and stablecoins. The company’s expertise in managing the complexities of cryptocurrency transactions complements Visa’s extensive merchant network and payment processing capabilities.

Regional Focus and Expansion Plans

The initial launch focusing on Latin America highlights the strategic importance of the region for cryptocurrency adoption. Countries like Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico have experienced significant cryptocurrency usage amid currency volatility and economic uncertainty, making them natural testing grounds for stablecoin payment solutions.

Zach Abrams, CEO of Bridge, emphasized the transformative potential of the partnership for consumers: “This enables folks to use and take advantage of the benefits of stablecoins wherever they are in the world, but remain wholly connected with the financial tools that folks use.” The ability to tap a card for payment while automatically converting from stablecoins to local currency represents a dramatic simplification of the user experience.

Following the Latin American launch, the companies plan to expand the program to countries across Europe, Africa, and Asia in the coming months. This phased rollout approach will allow the partners to refine the offering based on initial market feedback while navigating the varied regulatory environments across different regions.