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

• Bridge-enabled stablecoin-linked cards are now live in 18 countries with plans to reach 100 globally by year's end.
• The stablecoin-linked cards are being used with platforms like Phantom and MetaMask.

Visa and Stripe-owned stablecoin firm Bridge have expanded globally the stablecoin-linked card issuance product unveiled last year, which was focused on Central and South American countries.

Bridge-enabled stablecoin-linked cards are now live in 18 countries, using crypto platforms like Phantom and MetaMask, with planned expansion to over 100 countries across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East by end of year, the companies said on Tuesday.

Lead Bank, which was announced as a participant in Visa’s stablecoin settlement pilot earlier this year, is also working with Bridge's stablecoin infrastructure, according to a press release.

“Expanding our work with Bridge gives us one more way to bring the speed, transparency and programmability of stablecoins directly into the settlement process. This milestone gives our partners greater choice in how they move value, and it reinforces Visa’s role as a trusted network connecting stablecoins and the global payments ecosystem,” said Visa’s head of crypto Cuy Sheffield.

Blockchain rails and stablecoins have become increasingly central to payments, offering faster, cheaper alternative to traditional channels for uses like remittances, payroll and commerce.

Global firms are racing to jump on the trend: Payments giant Stripe is pushing hard with stablecoins following its $1.1 billion acquisition of Bridge; PayPal introduced its own stablecoin; and Visa has developed a platform to help banks issue stablecoins and tokenized assets.

Bridge cofounder Zach Abrams said the expansion with Visa will enable businesses launching their own custom stablecoins to use them seamlessly within their card programs.

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