StraitsX & Visa expand stablecoin cards to 100 markets

StraitsX has partnered with Visa to expand its stablecoin-backed card issuing operations to more than 100 markets, extending its card infrastructure beyond Asia.

The Singapore-based payments company will support eligible card programmes for fintechs, digital payment token service providers, wallets and other businesses seeking to link stablecoin balances to Visa's card network. The rollout remains subject to regulatory, compliance and Visa requirements in each market.

The expansion follows rapid growth in StraitsX's Asian card business, where its stablecoin-backed card programmes have reached more than USD $6 billion in annualised card transaction volume. StraitsX issues the XUSD and XSGD stablecoins and operates as a Major Payment Institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Asia growth

StraitsX has built its business around using stablecoins in payment and settlement flows. In practice, businesses can offer cards funded or settled through stablecoin infrastructure while consumers continue to pay with standard Visa credentials accepted by merchants on the existing card network.

The model is designed to reduce friction for businesses that want to use digital assets in payments without requiring merchants or cardholders to change how they transact. This is particularly relevant for companies operating across several jurisdictions that want a single provider for card issuing and stablecoin-linked settlement.

"Stablecoin-backed cards have become one of the clearest examples of how stablecoins can move beyond settlement and into everyday payments," said Tianwei Liu, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of StraitsX. "We have seen significant growth in this use case across Asia. Expanding our issuing capabilities globally allows us to bring the same infrastructure to businesses looking to build and scale card programmes across markets."

Stablecoins, digital tokens designed to track the value of currencies such as the US dollar, have increasingly been used for trading and transfers in crypto markets. Payments groups and fintech companies are now testing broader commercial uses, including cross-border transfers, merchant settlement and consumer card products.

Visa link

For Visa, the partnership adds to a broader push to connect digital asset-based payment flows with mainstream financial networks. Large card schemes have been working with crypto and stablecoin firms in recent years as they assess how tokenised money may fit into established payment rails.

The collaboration will also take into account the evolving money-laundering and terrorism-financing risks linked to such products. Those risks arising from the integration will need to be mitigated.

"At Visa, we are focused on bringing the benefits of new payment technologies into the global financial system in a way that is secure, scalable and trusted," said Rubail Birwadker, Global Head of Growth Products & Partnerships at Visa. "Working closely with our partner StraitsX, we are unlocking more ways to use stablecoins for real-world payment flows while connecting them to the reach and reliability of Visa's global network."

The announcement reflects a broader effort by payments infrastructure providers to make stablecoins usable within conventional financial services. Rather than replacing card networks, these arrangements typically place stablecoins behind the scenes in funding, treasury or settlement functions while preserving familiar consumer payment experiences.

Card issuing is one part of StraitsX's wider strategy around stablecoin-based payment infrastructure. The company also provides payments and settlement tools that help businesses move digital value across markets, with a focus on linking blockchain-based assets to existing financial systems.

StraitsX added that emerging forms of commerce, including payments initiated by AI agents, are shaping demand for systems that can connect new digital payment methods with established networks. Expanding its card issuing relationship with Visa is intended to widen access for businesses seeking to launch stablecoin-backed card programmes across multiple markets.

Visa operates in more than 200 countries and territories, giving partners access to one of the world's largest card acceptance networks. For StraitsX, the expanded reach marks a step beyond its regional base as it looks to turn its Asian transaction growth into a broader international card issuing business.