StraitsX, Visa Expand Stablecoin Card Issuing to 100 Markets

Global Stablecoin Card Expansion

Singapore-based stablecoin infrastructure provider StraitsX announced a partnership with Visa to extend its stablecoin-backed card issuing capabilities to over 100 markets worldwide. The agreement, disclosed on 15 October 2026, follows StraitsX establishing a significant card business across Asia.

The company reported annualised gross transaction volume exceeding US$6 billion from its stablecoin card programmes in the region, providing a commercial foundation for this global expansion. Tianwei Liu, chief executive and co-founder of StraitsX, noted the growth of stablecoin-backed cards in Asia demonstrates a practical path from settlement to everyday payments.

Bridging Digital Assets to Everyday Payments

This expanded capability targets fintechs, Digital Payment Token (DPT) service providers, and wallet operators seeking to issue cards linked to stablecoin balances and digital asset payment flows. Consumers and merchants will continue to use the standard Visa acceptance network.

The structural importance of this collaboration lies in its distribution model, allowing dollar or Singapore-dollar denominated stablecoins to be used at points of sale without requiring merchants to adopt new payment rails.

StraitsX can offer its clients access to tens of millions of merchant locations while maintaining stablecoin balances and settlement on its own infrastructure.

Regulatory and Compliance Considerations

StraitsX holds a Major Payment Institution licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and issues XUSD and XSGD stablecoins. The global expansion, however, remains subject to applicable regulatory, compliance, and Visa requirements.

This means StraitsX will need to satisfy local licensing frameworks in new jurisdictions, such as those under the EU's MiCA regulation or regimes in the Gulf like UAE's VARA and ADGM, before card programmes can launch in those markets.

Rubail Birwadker, Global Head of Growth Products and Partnerships at Visa, emphasised connecting stablecoin payment flows to Visa's global network scale.

Future Milestones for Market Participants

For businesses and investors tracking digital asset adoption, the next concrete milestones will be the announcement of specific non-Asian markets where card programmes go live. Further stablecoin licences secured by StraitsX outside Singapore will also signal the pace of its global expansion.

Additionally, growth in the reported US$6 billion annualised gross transaction volume from its Asian stablecoin card programmes will indicate the partnership's effect as global issuance comes online. This expansion could reshape payment infrastructure for digital asset service providers across Asia and beyond.