Global payment giants Visa and Stripe-owned Bridge are set to revolutionize the stablecoin landscape by expanding their stablecoin-linked Visa card program to 18 new countries, with plans to reach more than 100 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East by the end of the year.
The expansion, announced on Tuesday, builds on the program’s initial launch in April 2025, which first supported markets in Latin America, including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. This move underscores the growing demand for stablecoins and their integration into traditional payment systems.
Onchain Settlement: A Game-Changer
In addition to the geographic expansion, Visa and Bridge are testing stablecoin settlement through Visa’s pilot program. This innovative approach enables issuers and acquirers to settle transactions using stablecoins rather than traditional fiat currencies. The integration of onchain settlement is a significant step towards creating a more efficient and transparent financial ecosystem.
Partnership with Lead Bank
The new collaboration is facilitated by Lead Bank, an independent commercial bank. Previously, transactions were processed by Bridge, which deducted funds from the customer’s stablecoin balance and converted them into fiat, allowing merchants to receive payment in their local currency. Now, with Lead Bank’s involvement, these transactions can be settled directly in stablecoins, enhancing the speed and transparency of the process.
Stablecoin Race Intensifies
The expansion and onchain settlement capabilities highlight the ongoing competition in the stablecoin space. Mastercard, for instance, recently enabled stablecoin card spending in the U.S. via the self-custodial crypto wallet MetaMask. This competitive environment is driving innovation and adoption, as more players seek to offer seamless and secure stablecoin solutions.
Programmatic Stablecoins: A New Frontier
Visa is also evaluating the potential support for Bridge-issued assets, or stablecoins created and managed using Bridge’s infrastructure platform. Unlike major stablecoins such as Tether’s USDt (USDT) or Circle’s USDC (USDC), Bridge-issued stablecoins are created programmatically by businesses. This flexibility allows businesses to launch custom stablecoins that can be seamlessly integrated into their card programs.
“Expanding our work with Bridge gives us one more way to bring the speed, transparency, and programmability of stablecoins directly into the settlement process,” said Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of crypto.
Bridge co-founder and CEO Zach Abrams added, “This expansion of our work with Visa will enable businesses launching their own custom stablecoins to use them seamlessly within their card programs.”
Looking Ahead
The expansion of Visa and Bridge’s stablecoin card program marks a significant milestone in the adoption of stablecoins in global payment systems. As more countries and businesses embrace these solutions, the financial landscape is poised to become more interconnected and efficient. The integration of onchain settlement and programmable stablecoins is a clear indication that the future of finance is rapidly evolving, and Visa and Bridge are at the forefront of this transformation.
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