Visa Stablecoin-Linked Cards Expand With New Bank Partnerships

Visa has expanded its stablecoin- and crypto-linked card programs through new and deepened partnerships with banks and fintech firms, bringing the total of live programs to more than 160 globally as of October 2026. Payment volume on these programs increased nearly 200 percent year-over-year, while Visa’s stablecoin settlement volume reached an annualized run rate of approximately $20 billion, more than 15 times the level recorded one year earlier.

Recent Partnerships Extend Issuance to Over 100 Markets

Gate announced on October 8 a collaboration to issue crypto-linked Visa cards across more than 40 countries and territories. Cardholders will spend assets held in Gate accounts, with automatic conversion to fiat currency at the point of sale for use at Visa’s network of 175 million merchant locations in over 200 countries.

StraitsX disclosed on October 15 an expansion of its stablecoin-backed card program to more than 100 markets outside Asia. The initiative targets fintechs, digital wallets, and licensed digital payment token providers, building on existing Asian programs that already exceed $6 billion in annualized card transaction volume.

Reap entered a strategic agreement on September 23 to support stablecoin-linked Visa credit card issuance in over 100 markets, extending coverage into Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Reap acts as a principal issuer in Hong Kong and Mexico and supplies the infrastructure for both card issuance and stablecoin settlement.

Volume Growth Reflects Broader Network Integration

The reported metrics build on earlier initiatives, including Bridge’s expansion with Stripe, which operates in 18 countries and aims to reach 100 or more by the end of 2026. Visa has also advanced its Stablecoin Platform pilots and introduced Visa Direct stablecoin prefunding, with Inyo Global becoming the first commercial enabler in October 2026.

Additional on-chain activity includes lending through Credit Coop, which has financed more than $2.5 billion since 2023 without reported defaults. These developments allow stablecoins to fund card spending and support settlement functions while merchants continue to receive fiat settlement.

Visa statements emphasize that the programs connect blockchain-based assets to its existing payment network to provide secure and scalable transaction processing. Partners note that the cards enable everyday use of digital assets while meeting local compliance requirements in each market.

Market-by-Market Rollouts Continue Under Regulatory Oversight

Further expansion will proceed on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, subject to licensing, compliance reviews, and Visa’s approval processes. Additional bank and fintech partnerships are expected as issuers seek to integrate stablecoin settlement capabilities.

Visa’s fourth-quarter and full-year 2026 earnings release, scheduled for October 27, may include updated figures on these programs. The company’s multi-coin and multi-chain integration efforts, which began with 2025 pilots, continue to shape the infrastructure used by the current 160-plus card programs.