Two of the world's most influential payments companies, Visa and Stripe, have taken significant steps to advance stablecoin adoption across global markets. On May 7, Stripe introduced stablecoin-based account services for users in over 100 countries, while Visa revealed a strategic investment in London-based startup BVNK, which specializes in stablecoin payment infrastructure. Stripe Launches Stablecoin Accounts in Over 100 Countries to Serve Unbanked and Inflation-Hit Economies Stripe, one of the world’s leading financial infrastructure companies, has unveiled a new feature that allows clients in more than 100 countries to send, receive, and hold balances in US-dollar stablecoins . The rollout, announced on May 7, marks a significant expansion of the firm’s stablecoin offering and further reinforces the growing role of crypto-based financial tools in underserved and high-inflation economies. The newly launched stablecoin-based accounts will support Circle’s USDC and Bridge’s USDB—a stablecoin platform Stripe acquired in October 2024. According to the company’s technical documentation, these accounts will function similarly to traditional fiat bank accounts, providing Stripe clients with the ability to manage dollar-denominated balances using blockchain infrastructure instead of relying solely on local financial institutions. The accounts will be accessible in regions including Argentina, Chile, Turkey, Colombia, and Peru, all of which face persistent inflationary pressures and banking limitations. Stripe noted that this offering is designed for users who want to store value in stable US dollars and use those funds for cross-border payments or business transactions without the friction and cost of legacy banking systems. Solving Financial Inclusion Through Stablecoins Stripe’s move comes amid rapid growth in the stablecoin market, which recently surpassed a $231 billion market cap, according to data from RWA.XYZ. Stablecoins, pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar, have emerged as a vital tool for populations suffering from financial instability and limited banking access. The stablecoin market cap has crossed $231 billion and continues to grow due to international demand for US dollar tokens (Source: RWA.XYZ ) In many parts of Latin America, Africa, and Asia, residents are increasingly turning to stablecoins to shield their savings from currency devaluation and to make purchases online where local currencies are not accepted. Stripe’s expansion aims to bridge the gap for these users, offering a familiar financial interface powered by decentralized blockchain rails. Stablecoins are doing more than providing digital cash equivalents—they are transforming how people access the financial system. With just a smartphone, a crypto wallet, and internet access, users can now store and transact in a globally recognized currency. This is particularly relevant in countries like Argentina and Turkey, where double-digit inflation and capital controls have led many to seek out US dollar alternatives. By holding balances in stablecoins rather than volatile local currencies, residents can preserve purchasing power and transact across borders with greater confidence. Stablecoins dominate crypto transactions in South America( Source: Chainalysis ) A Growing Role for Stablecoins in Payments Stripe had already made waves in October 2024 when it began supporting stablecoin payments at checkout, allowing customers in over 70 countries to pay online merchants using fiat-pegged tokens. That feature was met with strong demand in emerging markets, where consumers are more likely to seek price stability in a volatile macroeconomic environment. The latest stablecoin account launch builds on this momentum, offering users not just the ability to spend in stablecoins but also to save, receive income, and manage funds entirely outside the constraints of local banking systems. Stripe’s expansion into stablecoin accounts is part of a broader trend where traditional fintech and Web3 solutions are converging. As blockchain rails become more embedded into everyday financial infrastructure, stablecoins are poised to become the backbone of a new, more inclusive digital economy. The implications are far-reaching—not just for Stripe’s clients, but also for the global payments ecosystem. With competitors likely to follow suit, and with regulatory clarity slowly improving in key markets, stablecoin-based accounts could soon become a norm rather than a novelty. For now, Stripe’s latest move marks a bold step toward that vision—empowering millions to participate in the global economy without needing a traditional bank. Visa Invests in BVNK to Accelerate Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure in Global Commerce In related news, payments giant Visa has deepened its foray into digital assets with a strategic investment in BVNK, a London-based startup building infrastructure for stablecoin payments. The announcement, made by BVNK on May 7, marks a major milestone for both companies. BVNK characterized the investment from Visa Ventures, the corporate investment arm of Visa, as “more than capital.” Though financial details were not disclosed, the firm emphasized that the arrangement is a strategic partnership rather than a simple funding round. BVNK-VISA partnership image (Source: BVNK ) BVNK CEO Jesse Hemson-Struthers expressed enthusiasm over the collaboration, stating: “I’m particularly excited about what it means to partner with Visa—the original payments innovator. Their deep expertise in building global payment networks, combined with our stablecoin infrastructure, creates powerful possibilities for redefining how businesses operate in today’s digital economy.” The partnership signals Visa’s commitment to developing next-generation financial technologies and positions BVNK as a key player in enabling businesses to integrate stablecoin payments into their financial systems. Visa’s head of products and partnerships, Rubail Birwadker, noted that stablecoins are becoming integral to global payment flows, signaling the company’s long-term belief in their potential. Visa’s move reflects a broader industry trend where stablecoins are emerging as faster, cheaper, and more accessible alternatives to traditional cross-border payment systems, particularly in regions with limited financial infrastructure. BVNK’s Rapid Ascent and US Expansion Visa’s investment follows BVNK’s $50 million Series B funding round, closed in late 2024 and led by Haun Ventures. The round included major industry players such as Coinbase Ventures, Scribble Ventures, DRW VC, and existing backers Avenir and Tiger Global. At the time, BVNK was valued at approximately $750 million and revealed plans to expand into the United States, establishing local banking infrastructure and pursuing the necessary licenses to serve US-based businesses. Founded to simplify business access to blockchain-based payments, BVNK provides APIs and infrastructure that enable companies to send, receive, and settle payments in stablecoins like USDC while offering compliance tools and integrations for accounting and treasury management. The company’s expansion plans are aligned with growing demand in both developed and emerging markets for dollar-backed stablecoins, which can serve as both a store of value and a means of conducting faster, cheaper global commerce. Visa has spent the last few years gradually integrating crypto functionality into its payment ecosystem. In October 2024, it enabled instant fiat-to-crypto transfers via Coinbase-linked Visa debit cards, allowing eligible users to deposit or withdraw funds in real time. The same month, Visa also introduced its Visa Tokenized Asset Platform, a solution designed to streamline the issuance and management of digital assets such as tokenized deposits, stablecoins, and even central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Visa’s partnership with BVNK builds on this vision by expanding its reach into the infrastructure layer of stablecoin usage, offering businesses the backend support needed to operate in a tokenized economy. A Bet on the Future of Digital Commerce This investment and partnership between Visa and BVNK signals a growing confidence among traditional financial institutions that stablecoins and tokenized payments will be a cornerstone of future commerce. As the global economy becomes increasingly digitized, partnerships like this are laying the groundwork for a more interoperable, programmable, and borderless financial system. With major players like Visa actively backing startups at the intersection of crypto and payments, the stablecoin revolution continues to pick up steam—this time with the backing of the world’s largest card network.
