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Stripe Will Expand Stablecoin Cards to 100 Countries

The payment processor plans to scale its stablecoin card program globally before the end of 2026.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Financial Services

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Stripe announced plans to expand its stablecoin-backed card program to over 100 countries by 2026, leveraging infrastructure from its acquisition of Bridge to facilitate digital dollar settlements. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Stripe announced plans to expand its stablecoin-backed card program to over 100 countries by the end of 2026. This follows the company's March 2026 launch of the initiative in 18 countries alongside partner Visa.

Why it matters

The expansion aims to leverage the growing digital dollar market, which currently exceeds $300 billion, by integrating blockchain-based settlement options into mainstream commerce.

Stripe aims to grow its card program to over 100 countries, up from 18 at its March 2026 launch. In September 2026, stablecoin card spending reached $1.2 billion across a market for digital dollars exceeding $300 billion.

The players

Stripe

Stripe is a financial technology company that provides payment processing software and application programming interfaces for e-commerce websites.

Visa

Visa is a global digital payments company that facilitates electronic funds transfers throughout the world.

Bridge

Bridge is a stablecoin infrastructure company that enables on-chain settlement options for businesses.

Privy

Privy is a technology firm that builds infrastructure for web3 applications and identity management.

Kraken

Kraken is a cryptocurrency exchange and bank that offers trading and staking services to global users.

The details

Utilizing infrastructure from its $1.1 billion acquisition of Bridge and the acquisition of Privy, Stripe facilitates on-chain settlements that bypass traditional banking rails. Companies like Kraken and Ramp have already integrated these programs to utilize Visa's network of 175 million merchant locations.

Timeline

  1. Stripe began processing cards in 2018.

  2. Stripe acquired Bridge in 2024.

  3. Stripe acquired Privy in 2025.

  4. Stripe launched a Visa stablecoin card program in March 2026.

  5. Stablecoin card spending hit $1.2 billion in September 2026.

Market Landscape

Stripe is positioning itself as a central gateway between traditional financial systems and the $300 billion digital dollar market. This move intensifies competition among fintech platforms seeking to dominate the transition toward blockchain-based settlement.

As Stripe scales these services, users and merchants may see increased options for faster, blockchain-based payment settlements. Consumers could eventually gain access to more efficient cross-border transaction capabilities through platforms integrated with Stripe's infrastructure.

The takeaway

Stablecoins are rapidly transitioning from niche crypto-assets to functional components of global payments infrastructure. Businesses should monitor how blockchain integration reduces settlement times and transaction costs in their specific regions.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest innovations in Financial Services.

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Would you use a stablecoin-backed card for your everyday purchases?