Visa has partnered with decentralized finance platform WeFi to pilot stablecoin payments using self-custody wallets. The pilot will explore integrating on-chain payments with Visa’s card network in Europe, Asia, and Latin America through a phased rollout contingent on regulatory approvals. The initiative aims to allow users to spend digital assets while retaining control of their private keys.
Visa and WeFi are commencing a pilot program to test real-world stablecoin payments. The collaboration will examine the integration of WeFi’s on-chain banking infrastructure with the global Visa payment network.
The rollout will follow a phased structure dependent on regulatory approvals in specific countries. Expansion will target key international markets across Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
The system is built on a model of self-custody where users hold their own private keys. Payments are designed to utilize the Visa network without requiring manual conversion of assets at checkout.
Mathieu Altwegg, Visa Head of Product and Solutions in Europe, stated the company aims to make digital asset models usable at scale. “Linking them to reliable payment systems facilitates wider usage,” Altwegg said.
WeFi CEO Maksym Sakharov emphasized that stablecoins are directly integrated into the payment flow. “Settlement takes place automatically in the background when transactions take place,” Sakharov explained.
He added that the user experience at checkout will mirror using any traditional card. The system handles the blockchain transactions to maintain a seamless front-end experience for consumers.
Sakharov also highlighted the partnership’s focus on cross-border payment functionality. The goal is to enable efficient international transfers without added complexity for users.
This initiative follows other recent moves by Visa into the crypto payment space. The company collaborated with Bridge last month to expand card services targeting over 100 countries by the end of 2026.
