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Visa and Mesh link crypto wallets to 175 million merchants

Visa and Mesh will let wallet users pay online and in stores from crypto or stablecoin balances across 175 million Visa merchant locations, without a separate card.

By Web3 Hub Newsroom2 min read

Visa and Mesh link crypto wallets to 175 million merchants

Visa and Mesh announced on Oct. 19 a partnership to let people pay online and in stores from crypto or stablecoin balances held in participating wallet apps, targeting Visa’s network of more than 175 million merchant locations. The Mesh announcement on PR Newswire says the service is designed to work where Visa is accepted.

How will a wallet payment reach a Visa merchant?

Mesh will provision a Visa credential behind the scenes, so a user can tap at a contactless terminal or check out online without first selling, transferring or preloading funds, according to the announcement. Mesh will coordinate transaction funding and conversion across supported crypto, stablecoin and fiat balances.

The merchant will receive a standard payment, with no new hardware or checkout changes required, Mesh said. The arrangement connects wallet balances to Visa’s existing acceptance network; the company announcement says that network spans more than 200 countries and territories.

Will users need a separate crypto card?

No separate card is part of the proposed experience: participating wallets and platforms would offer payment directly from balances in their apps. The Block’s report on the partnership also says users would not need to sell or transfer assets before paying.

Platforms would connect through Mesh rather than build their own card programs, according to the announcement. Mesh would act as program manager, handling user onboarding and identity checks.

When will the service become available?

Mesh has not announced an initial launch date, supported devices or participating platforms. The company said those details will follow as rollout plans are finalised, leaving availability dependent on future announcements.

The announcement sets out a planned connection to Visa’s merchant network, rather than a live service for all crypto wallet users. The next milestone is the release of rollout details, including which platforms will participate and when their users can start paying.

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