Stablecoin payments expand as Nium integrates Visa and Mastercard
Global payments infrastructure provider Nium has launched a platform enabling businesses to issue stablecoin-funded cards via Visa and Mastercard. The move marks another step in the expansion of stablecoin payments across card networks, fintech firms, and technology platforms.
Highlights
- Nium launches stablecoin-funded card platform with Visa, Mastercard
- Stablecoin payments expand across fintech and global card networks
- New platform bridges blockchain and traditional payment infrastructure
According to Cointelegraph, the platform is designed to help enterprises issue cards funded by stablecoins and use digital dollar balances at the point of sale through existing card networks.
Nium stated that the system converts stablecoin balances into fiat currency, handles settlement, compliance, and card network integration through a unified integration layer.
The company also plans to reduce the time required to launch stablecoin-based card programs from months to days by combining conversion, settlement, and compliance into a single infrastructure stack.
Stablecoins gain momentum
Consulting firm Bain & Company recently noted that “stablecoins are having a breakout moment as U.S. lawmakers focus on clarifying the regulatory framework.”
The total market capitalization of stablecoins currently exceeds $315 billion, according to DefiLlama, with Tether (USDT) accounting for approximately $184 billion, or about 58% of the market.
Despite ongoing regulatory debates in the U.S., technology platforms, fintech companies, and card networks are активно integrating stablecoin payments.
In October, Visa expanded stablecoin support to four tokens across four blockchains, enabling conversion into more than 25 fiat currencies. Supported assets include USDC, Euro Coin, PayPal USD, and Global Dollar across Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and Stellar.
Earlier this month, Mastercard agreed to acquire stablecoin infrastructure firm BVNK in a deal worth up to $1.8 billion, aiming to connect traditional fiat systems with blockchain-based transactions.
PayPal, which launched its PYUSD stablecoin in August 2023, recently introduced PYUSDx, a platform allowing developers to issue dollar-backed tokens for use in in-app and digital ecosystem transactions.
Accelerating the payments revolution
Nium’s platform helps bridge the gap between blockchain infrastructure and traditional payment systems. By integrating with Visa and Mastercard, businesses can leverage digital assets without changing the end-user experience.
For consumers, transactions appear as standard card payments, while stablecoins are used behind the scenes for settlement. This lowers adoption barriers and accelerates the transition toward new financial models.
Moreover, such solutions could significantly reshape global payment flows. Stablecoins already offer faster and cheaper cross-border transactions compared to traditional banking channels.
If widely adopted, these platforms could intensify competition with traditional banking infrastructure—particularly in B2B payments and fintech services—and accelerate the emergence of a hybrid financial system where fiat and blockchain coexist within a unified payment framework.
As we wrote, Revolut reaches $1.2 billion stablecoin volume through Polygon, Sandeep Nailwal notes
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