Stripe partnered with fintech platform miPlata to launch a physical Visa prepaid card that allows customers to spend stablecoin balances, announced November 9, 2026. The card enables miPlata customers to make purchases wherever Visa is accepted without first withdrawing stablecoins into traditional bank accounts, with the product developed using Stripe Issuing infrastructure in approximately five weeks. The initiative targets Latino workers and families who use digital dollars for payments, remittances and financial services across the United States and Latin America, with Lead Bank serving as the issuing bank and Stripe-owned Bridge Ventures LLC managing the card program. The launch forms part of Stripe's broader strategy to integrate stablecoins into traditional payment infrastructure following its acquisition of Bridge, expanding access to blockchain-based balances through familiar card payment systems.
miPlata Card Connects Stablecoin Balances to Visa Payment Network
The prepaid card connects users' miPlata accounts to Visa's global payment network, enabling customers to spend supported stablecoin balances, particularly USD Coin (USDC), directly at participating merchants. Unlike traditional cryptocurrency spending arrangements that require customers to transfer funds to bank accounts before making purchases, the card integrates the conversion process into the payment infrastructure. When customers make purchases, the corresponding value is deducted from their stablecoin balances, while merchants receive payment through established card-network processes. The arrangement does not require merchants to accept cryptocurrency directly or maintain blockchain wallets.
Stripe supported miPlata with dedicated Bank Identification Number configuration, Visa approval procedures, physical card production and customer fulfillment. The prepaid card is issued by Lead Bank, a regulated banking institution, rather than Stripe or miPlata themselves. Bridge Ventures acts as program manager, overseeing the card arrangement on behalf of the issuing bank. MiPlata, founded by Chief Executive Miguel Alecio, provides financial services including digital dollar accounts, payroll-related products, cross-border transfers and virtual payment cards. The company focuses on underserved Latino communities across 16 countries in Latin America and the United States. The physical Visa card adds another spending option to its existing stablecoin-based financial services.
Stripe Expands Stablecoin Payment Infrastructure Through Bridge and Visa Partnerships
In April 2025, Visa and Bridge introduced infrastructure allowing fintech developers to issue stablecoin-linked Visa cards through a single application programming interface. The companies expanded their collaboration in March 2026, announcing plans to extend supported card programs to more than 100 countries. At that time, Bridge-enabled stablecoin cards were already operating in 18 countries, with Visa reporting acceptance across more than 175 million merchant locations.
Stripe has also expanded stablecoin-backed card capabilities through its Issuing and financial-account products, targeting businesses seeking integrated digital-dollar services. For miPlata, the arrangement offers a connection between stablecoin holdings and everyday spending, particularly for customers receiving cross-border payments. However, the companies have not publicly disclosed transaction volumes, cardholder numbers or the full geographic availability of the new card. Cardholders may also face applicable fees and eligibility restrictions.
FAQ
What did Stripe and miPlata announce on November 9, 2026?
Stripe and miPlata announced the launch of a physical Visa prepaid card that allows customers to spend stablecoin balances wherever Visa is accepted. The card was developed using Stripe Issuing infrastructure in approximately five weeks, with Lead Bank serving as the issuing bank and Bridge Ventures LLC managing the card program.
How does the miPlata Visa card work with stablecoin balances?
The card connects users' miPlata accounts to Visa's payment network, enabling customers to spend supported stablecoin balances, particularly USD Coin (USDC), directly at participating merchants. When customers make purchases, the corresponding value is deducted from their stablecoin balances, while merchants receive payment through established card-network processes without needing to accept cryptocurrency directly.
