Visa and Bridge, a company backed by Stripe, are working to launch payment cards connected to stablecoins in over 100 countries by the end of 2026. They’ve already begun this rollout in 18 countries throughout Latin America.
Why Traditional Finance Is Winning The Crypto Payments Race
People are increasingly using crypto-linked cards for everyday purchases like groceries and dining out, according to data from OKX Europe. In January, over 25% of all transactions on OKX cards were for supermarket purchases, with restaurants coming in second at 18% and online shopping at 13%.
As an analyst, I’m seeing a significant shift in the payments landscape. Our data shows crypto-linked debit and credit card transaction volume has surged – it’s up 230% year-over-year, and we’ve now seen a total of $7.8 billion in transactions this month. This indicates a growing trend of people using cryptocurrency for everyday purchases.
Crypto card payments have hit a new high of $7.8 billion in total, and spending is soaring – up 230% since May 2025.
In 2026, more and more people started using crypto cards, largely because stablecoins became easier to use for payments through those cards.
In other…
— The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) May 27, 2026
Stablecoins Driving The Surge
The increasing availability of stablecoins is a major reason why more people are using digital currencies. Now, a growing number of cardholders can use these dollar-linked digital assets instead of regular money, leading to faster growth in adoption than we’ve seen before.
As highlighted in The Kobeissi Letter, crypto cards have become increasingly popular in 2026 because more people can now easily use stablecoins just like regular cash. These cards work with existing payment systems, rather than trying to create something entirely new.
Visa is the dominant player in crypto card transactions, processing around 90% of that volume thanks to collaborations with companies built on blockchain technology. One key partner is Jupiter Global, a payment project connected to the Jupiter decentralized exchange, which operates on the Solana network.
In January, OKX released a stablecoin card for customers in Europe, powered by Mastercard. The card’s transaction data provides valuable insight into how people are using digital currencies for daily purchases.
Expansion Plans Signal Broader Ambitions
Visa-Bridge is currently available in several Latin American countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. It’s expected to launch in Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East before the end of the year.
Instead of replacing traditional payment methods, cryptocurrency is gradually becoming part of everyday purchases. Visa and Mastercard aren’t being threatened; in fact, they’re playing a key role in enabling these new crypto transactions.
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2026-05-29 11:42