Visa expands stablecoin settlement pilot as Bridge targets 100-country card rollout

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-03-03Last updated on 2026-03-03

Abstract

Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement pilot and deepening its collaboration with Bridge, a Stripe-owned infrastructure firm. Bridge is scaling its stablecoin-linked Visa card program, aiming for a rollout in over 100 countries by the end of 2026. These cards, currently available in 18 countries, allow users to spend stablecoin balances directly at over 175 million merchant locations globally without converting to fiat. The expanded pilot, in partnership with Lead Bank, enables onchain settlement of card transactions over supported blockchain networks. Visa is evaluating greater settlement flexibility, operational efficiency gains, and the role of infrastructure providers like Bridge. The initiative remains a pilot, testing stablecoins as an optional settlement tool alongside traditional rails, reflecting growing institutional interest in blockchain-based payments.

Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement pilot while deepening its collaboration with Bridge. The Stripe-owned infrastructure firm pushes its stablecoin-linked card program toward a planned rollout in more than 100 countries by the end of 2026.

The announcement signals a broader integration of stablecoins into Visa’s global payments network.

Stablecoin-linked cards scale globally

Bridge enables businesses and fintech developers to issue stablecoin-backed Visa cards, allowing users to spend stablecoin balances for everyday purchases anywhere Visa is accepted.

The cards are currently live in 18 countries. They are slated to expand across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East by year-end.

Transactions can be used at more than 175 million merchant locations globally, according to Visa.

Crypto platforms, including Phantom and MetaMask, are already offering the cards. It enables users to pay directly from their stablecoin balances, without converting to fiat in advance.

The expansion reflects growing demand for payment products that bridge blockchain-based assets and traditional card networks.

Onchain settlement moves forward

Alongside the geographic expansion, Visa is broadening its stablecoin settlement pilot. Through Bridge’s partnership with Lead Bank, card transactions can now be settled onchain with Visa over supported blockchain networks.

The pilot allows participating issuers and acquirers to settle obligations using stablecoins rather than exclusively relying on traditional fiat settlement rails.

Visa said the program is evaluating:

  • How stablecoin settlement can provide greater settlement optionality for issuers and program managers
  • Operational efficiency gains from onchain reconciliation and faster fund movement
  • The role of infrastructure providers, such as Bridge, in simplifying blockchain interactions for financial institutions

Cuy Sheffield, Visa’s head of crypto, said the expansion reflects growing institutional interest in blockchain-based settlement. “Visa is committed to meeting businesses where they operate, and increasingly, that’s onchain,” Sheffield said in the release.

Evaluating support for Bridge-issued assets

Visa also said it is assessing potential support for Bridge-issued assets in future payment flows. The review will focus on whether those assets can complement Visa’s existing network and introduce additional settlement pathways for partners.

Bridge CEO and cofounder Zach Abrams said the collaboration is part of a longer-term strategy to help businesses integrate stablecoins into their own financial stacks.

Still a pilot phase

Despite the expansion, the settlement initiative remains a pilot. The program is designed to test settlement flexibility and operational efficiency rather than replace traditional fiat rails.

The move underscores how major payment networks are increasingly incorporating stablecoins into existing systems as optional settlement tools.

Final Summary

  • Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement pilot while Bridge prepares to scale stablecoin-linked cards to over 100 countries by year-end.
  • The initiative integrates stablecoins into backend settlement flows. However, it remains in pilot phase rather than a replacement for traditional rails.

Related Questions

QWhat is the main goal of the collaboration between Visa and Bridge regarding card rollout?

AThe main goal is to scale the stablecoin-linked Visa card program to over 100 countries by the end of 2026, allowing users to spend stablecoin balances for everyday purchases anywhere Visa is accepted.

QHow many countries currently have the stablecoin-backed Visa cards live, and which regions are targeted for expansion by year-end?

AThe cards are currently live in 18 countries and are slated to expand across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East by year-end.

QWhat are the key aspects Visa is evaluating in its expanded stablecoin settlement pilot?

AVisa is evaluating how stablecoin settlement can provide greater optionality for issuers, operational efficiency gains from onchain reconciliation and faster fund movement, and the role of infrastructure providers like Bridge in simplifying blockchain interactions for financial institutions.

QWhich crypto platforms are already offering the stablecoin-linked Visa cards, and what convenience do they provide to users?

ACrypto platforms including Phantom and MetaMask are already offering the cards, enabling users to pay directly from their stablecoin balances without converting to fiat in advance.

QIs Visa's stablecoin settlement initiative replacing traditional fiat settlement rails?

ANo, the initiative remains a pilot program designed to test settlement flexibility and operational efficiency rather than replace traditional fiat rails.

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