Visa expands Bridge partnership to boost SMB payments

Visa has expanded its partnership with stablecoin infrastructure provider Bridge, enabling businesses and fintech developers to issue stablecoin-backed Visa cards in more markets, including Australia.

The move follows new Visa-commissioned research showing Australian small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) continue to face friction in cross-border payments. Settlement times and foreign exchange uncertainty are forcing many firms to plan well in advance.

In a survey of 257 Australian SMBs, 78% said they need to plan days or weeks ahead for international payments. Respondents cited steps such as moving funds between accounts, pre-paying overseas suppliers, and maintaining financial buffers. Settlement delays and currency movements were identified as key operational constraints for firms trading internationally.

The research also found that 56% of SMBs are either already familiar with stablecoins or actively considering how they might use them. Stablecoins are digital tokens designed to maintain a fixed value, often by linking to a currency such as the US dollar.

Payments pressure

Cross-border payments remain a major challenge for smaller firms because they are often less predictable than domestic transfers. Settlement times vary by market and payment method, and exchange rates can shift during processing windows. Together, these factors create uncertainty about final costs and when suppliers will be paid.

Anthony Jones, Head of Product at Visa Oceania, said the issue has a direct operational impact for businesses with overseas customers or suppliers.

"Currently 8 in 10 (78%) small businesses report needing to plan days or weeks ahead for international payments, moving funds between accounts, pre-paying overseas suppliers ahead of time, and maintaining financial buffers. Stablecoins can help make international payments as seamless as sending a text - that's an obvious benefit for time-pressed small businesses."

While consumer awareness of stablecoins remains lower than awareness of more established crypto assets, the research suggests interest increases when stablecoin services are delivered through familiar channels such as bank apps and card products.

Among respondents, 60% said they would be likely to try stablecoins for international payments if available through their existing bank app or card. SMBs also highlighted the ability to make and receive payments 24/7 as a useful feature, reflecting the limits of traditional payment cut-off times across time zones.

Trust and security

The research points to a gap between curiosity and confidence. Security and customer protections ranked among the most important factors influencing whether users would adopt stablecoin-based payments.

Across respondents, 67% said fraud protection and money-back guarantees would increase confidence. Cybersecurity also emerged as a barrier, with 58% of SMBs saying concerns about cybersecurity would make them hesitant to use a new payment method such as stablecoins.

Jones said adoption will depend on safeguards and user experience.

"As infrastructure around stablecoins becomes more secure and convenient, this represents a significant opportunity to improve cross-border payments by making them as seamless and transparent as domestic transactions."

Bridge partnership

Bridge operates a platform that connects businesses and developers to stablecoin payment flows and card issuance. It is owned by Stripe. Visa and Bridge have expanded a global card issuance product first unveiled in 2025.

Under the expanded arrangement, Bridge enables businesses and fintech developers to offer stablecoin-backed Visa cards. The cards run on Visa's acceptance network, while the underlying funding source is a stablecoin balance. The model is designed to let users spend stablecoin value at merchants that accept Visa, without requiring merchants to accept stablecoins directly.

The product is already live in more than 160 countries through local and international payment rails. Visa card issuance connected to the programme is currently available in 18 countries. The companies plan to expand issuance to more than 100 markets, including Australia and New Zealand.

An early example in Australia is Wayex Global, a fintech that offers users a single US dollar balance. Users can fund the balance via bank transfers or stablecoins, then spend using a Visa debit card.

Visa also positioned stablecoin-backed cards as a potential bridge between digital asset balances and everyday spending, particularly in travel and trade, including payments to overseas suppliers. The research suggests SMBs are more engaged than consumers in assessing stablecoins as a payments tool, largely due to the day-to-day impact of delays and exchange-rate movements.

Jones said stablecoins can move value across borders quickly, while established payments networks can provide controls and protections.

"Stablecoins can help move money nearly instantly and securely across the world, using Visa's trusted network. Our infrastructure helps add enterprise-grade security, compliance, and fraud protection to digital asset movement, supporting a new foundation for secure global money movement that delivers real-world benefits to both Australian businesses and consumers."

Askable conducted the survey in Australia among 703 retail consumers and 257 SMBs, focusing on awareness, trust and engagement with stablecoins.