Zepz to launch stablecoin Visa cards with Stripe’s Bridge globally

Zepz has announced it will launch stablecoin-linked Visa cards for users of its Sendwave Wallet, following a partnership with Bridge, a Stripe company. The move lets customers spend stablecoin-backed digital dollars at millions of merchants worldwide.

The new card product will become available to users in several new markets, including Australia, the US, and Canada. Zepz is focusing on cross-border communities, with a reach extending to diaspora groups across the globe. The company says its Sendwave Wallet, introduced in October, is now accessible in more than 100 countries.

New Spending Option

Sendwave Wallet lets customers send, receive, and store US dollar-denominated stablecoins. These balances can now be spent directly using a Visa card at any merchant that accepts Visa. Bridge powers the link between stablecoin wallets and traditional payment networks.

When a customer makes a purchase, Bridge converts the stablecoin balance to local currency at the point of sale. Merchants receive payment in their usual national currency. This process aims to shield customers from currency volatility and avoid high money transfer fees, which are common challenges for cross-border payments.

Global Remittances

Zepz owns WorldRemit and Sendwave. These two platforms serve over nine million customers across 5,000 corridors worldwide. The company says its digital products offer faster and more convenient solutions for people moving money internationally.

Stablecoins are digital assets whose value tracks traditional currencies, most often the US dollar. Their use in payments is growing, especially in settings with volatile local currencies. Customers holding these assets in Sendwave Wallet can now use their balances for daily spending without converting to local currency in advance or transferring funds to a separate account.

Expanding Partnership

Bridge, which built the underlying infrastructure, was bought by Stripe earlier this year. Its technology allows fintech companies to quickly launch linked card products across multiple countries.

Mark Lenhard, CEO of Zepz, said the partnership changes how financial services work for international users. "For years, cross-border communities have been underserved by a financial system that wasn't built for them. We're changing that. By leveraging Bridge's infrastructure, Sendwave customers can use their digital dollar balance to not just send, receive and hold funds but also to spend them as an integral part of their daily lives. This isn't just about moving money, but giving people better access, more stability and financial choice in their daily lives through a simple and trusted experience," said Lenhard.

Visa cards backed by stablecoin wallets are expected to become available in selected markets from early 2026. Zepz's partnership with Stripe includes plans for further global expansion. Brazil is one of the first countries where customers will be able to use the card.

Technology Access

Zach Abrams, CEO and Co-Founder of Bridge, said the company developed its card-issuing platform to solve a challenge for financial technology firms.

"We launched our card issuing platform earlier this year to address a major gap we saw in the market," said Zach Abrams, CEO and co-founder of Bridge. "Global fintechs like Zepz shouldn't have to spend years launching cards from scratch in every single country. With Bridge, Zepz can launch card services quickly and expand to new countries with just a few lines of code."

Bridge's technology allows users to spend digital dollars in face-to-face or online transactions without separate money transfers. Zepz expects to roll out its stablecoin-linked Visa cards in additional markets as part of ongoing international growth.