On September 8, 2026, Visa announced plans to provide more data to companies involved in blockchain lending, responding to the increasing demand for stablecoin-linked cards. This initiative will combine Visa's settlement data with onchain lending infrastructure, allowing lenders to gain better insights into the financial performance of digital asset-focused fintech firms and card issuers.
Currently, Visa operates over 160 stablecoin-linked card programs, marking a nearly 200% increase year over year. Cuy Sheffield, Visa's head of crypto, highlighted the rapid growth in this sector, with new issuers joining the network weekly. To facilitate this growth, Visa is forming partnerships to enable new issuers to access financing through smart contracts and onchain credit.
A pilot program with Credit Coop has already shown success, processing $2.7 billion in total volume without any defaults. Visa noted that while much of the stablecoin lending activity is still concentrated in crypto markets, this new offering could simplify the evaluation of financing opportunities for lenders.
The recent passage of the GENIUS Act has further accelerated stablecoin adoption, prompting interest from banks and major payment companies to collaborate with Visa. With Visa's stablecoin platform launched in July, the company is positioning itself alongside competitors like Mastercard, PayPal, and Circle in the evolving digital asset landscape.
Visa shares have seen a 7% increase this year, reflecting positive market sentiment towards its strategic moves in the stablecoin space