Visa and Bridge plan stablecoin-linked card expansion to over 100 countries

CoinDesk

by Ian Allison

March 3, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Visa has partnered with Lead Bank via Bridge to expand its stablecoin-backed Visa cards globally, marking a significant step in the adoption of blockchain technology in financial services. This collaboration enables businesses and fintechs to offer stablecoin-linked cards, initially launched in 18 countries across Central and South America, with plans to extend coverage to over 100 countries worldwide by the end of 2026. The expansion leverages crypto platforms like Phantom and MetaMask, aligning with Visa's broader strategy to integrate stablecoins into traditional payment systems. The partnership underscores the growing importance of stablecoins in modern payments, offering faster and more cost-effective alternatives to traditional methods for transactions such as remittances and payroll processing. Visa’s head of crypto, Cuy Sheffield, emphasized that this milestone enhances flexibility for businesses, allowing them to utilize stablecoins directly within their settlement processes. This aligns with Visa's goal of serving as a bridge between stablecoins and the global payments ecosystem. Global tech giants are increasingly embracing stablecoins to stay competitive in the evolving financial landscape. Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge highlights its commitment to advancing stablecoin adoption, while PayPal introduced its own stablecoin and Visa developed a platform for banks to issue stablecoins and tokenized assets. These moves reflect a broader industry shift toward leveraging blockchain rails for improved efficiency. Bridge cofounder Zach Abrams noted that the expansion with Visa empowers businesses to seamlessly integrate custom stablecoins into their card programs, fostering innovation in financial services. This development not only simplifies cross-border transactions but also supports the growing demand for programmable money, offering businesses greater control

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 3/3/2026