Exclusive: Visa to expand card partnership with Stripe’s Bridge to over 100 countries

Fortune

by Ben Weiss

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Visa, the world’s largest payments network, has announced an expansion of its stablecoin partnership with Stripe’s Bridge, targeting over 100 countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa. This move builds on their initial April launch in Latin America, where stablecoin-backed cards were introduced to allow users to spend crypto wallet balances at Visa-accepted merchants. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between cryptocurrency and traditional finance by enabling businesses and consumers to use stablecoins for everyday purchases. Bridge, a crypto startup acquired by Stripe in 2025, partners with companies like Phantom to create branded debit cards that integrate with stablecoin wallets. Visa acts as the payments network, providing its extensive merchant base to facilitate seamless transactions. This integration is crucial for businesses seeking to expand their services into the crypto space, ensuring that users can convert digital assets into real-world spending. Despite concerns that stablecoins could disrupt traditional payment networks like Visa and Mastercard, the partnership highlights how fintechs are increasingly collaborating with legacy systems rather than competing against them. Visa’s involvement in a pilot program exploring blockchain-based settlements using stablecoins underscores its commitment to innovation while maintaining its dominance in global payments. This initiative could potentially revolutionize transaction processing, especially as AI-driven commerce evolves. The expansion of this partnership also comes amid regulatory scrutiny, such as the Senate’s Genius Act, which has influenced investor sentiment toward credit card companies. However, Visa’s strategic moves suggest that disruption is being managed through integration rather than outright competition. By embracing stablecoins and exploring new payment methods, Visa aims to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. This collaboration with Bridge not only strengthens Visa’s position but also offers significant opportunities for businesses and consumers. As the payments giant continues to explore innovative ways to integrate blockchain

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Originally published on Fortune on 3/3/2026