- Visa and Bridge launch stablecoin payment cards in Latin America.
- Initial focus on six countries.
- Geared for high-inflation regions.
Visa and Bridge announced a partnership on April 30, 2025, to launch stablecoin-linked Visa cards in six Latin American countries, aiming to boost digital payment access.
Visa Partners with Bridge to Launch Stablecoin Cards
Visa, a leader in digital payments, is collaborating with Bridge, recently acquired by Stripe, to introduce stablecoin-backed cards in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. Jack Forestell, Visa’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer, emphasized their focus on secure, frictionless stablecoin integration. As he stated, “We’re focused on integrating stablecoins into Visa’s existing network and products in a frictionless and secure way. Partnering with Bridge represents a significant move in helping to make stablecoins usable in everyday life, giving consumers more choice in how they manage and spend their money.”
Bridge and Lead Bank’s Role
Bridge is pivotal in this initiative. Their CEO, Zach Abrams, highlighted the developer-friendly approach in facilitating stablecoin use. The partnership extends to Lead Bank, supporting the card issuance program.
Benefits for Consumers and Merchants
Widespread acceptance at 150 million merchant locations is expected, expanding stablecoin utility and offering financial resilience in inflation-prone regions. This partnership aids consumers in maintaining value while offering merchants local currency payments through seamless crypto-fiat conversions.
Impacts on Financial Systems
This strategy addresses both financial inclusion and technological adoption, enhancing cryptocurrency’s role in day-to-day transactions. The partnership aligns with a broader trend, integrating digital and traditional finance to optimize consumer and merchant experiences, potentially disrupting payment systems globally.
Encouraging Innovation
The move could encourage further financial and technological innovations. Partnering with key regional players may prompt regulatory adjustments and technological advancements to accommodate hybrid financial solutions.
