Visa and Mesh partner to enable direct crypto spending at 175 million merchants

The partnership connects digital wallets and cryptocurrency platforms to Visa’s existing infrastructure, enabling users to pay at any merchant that accepts Visa without manual cash-outs. Mesh will serve as the program manager, handling customer onboarding, verification, and the real-time conversion of assets into fiat currency behind the scenes. Merchants will continue to receive payments through their current checkout systems, requiring no hardware or software updates to process these transactions.

While traditional crypto-linked payment methods often force users to move funds to a bank account or rely on specific co-branded plastic cards, this model operates via a background Visa credential. The integration allows wallet providers to offer payment services through a single Mesh connection. Despite the announcement, both companies have yet to disclose the specific wallets, supported assets, or the timeline for the initial rollout.

This move aligns with Visa’s broader strategy to bridge digital assets and conventional finance. The company reported that stablecoin-linked card programs saw nearly 200% annual growth during the 2026 fiscal year, with settlement volume exceeding an annualized rate of $20 billion. Mesh, which reached a $1 billion valuation following a $75 million Series C round in January, currently connects more than 200 enterprises, including exchanges and financial platforms, to its payment infrastructure.