Gate and Visa Launch Crypto-Linked Card Across 40+ Global Markets

Gate has partnered with Visa to launch a crypto-linked card across more than 40 global markets, integrating digital asset accounts directly into the traditional retail ecosystem. For fintech professionals, this move signals a significant push toward mainstreaming crypto-to-fiat conversion at the point of sale, leveraging Visa’s massive merchant network to bridge the gap between decentralized finance and everyday commerce.

What was announced

The collaboration introduces a crypto-linked Visa card designed to allow Gate users to spend digital assets at any of the 175 million merchant locations within Visa’s global network, spanning over 200 countries and territories. The card functions by automatically converting cryptocurrency held in a user’s Gate account into fiat currency at the moment of transaction, facilitating seamless payments for travel, dining, and retail. The product is expected to launch across more than 40 markets globally, allowing users to connect their digital holdings with real-world spending more conveniently.

Management of the card is handled through the Gate app, where users can apply for the product and monitor their spending. This launch coincides with the introduction of Gate Money, a comprehensive financial services application. Gate Money is designed to unify digital assets, fiat currencies, stocks, ETFs, gold, and banking services within a single interface. Eligible users can also open a global bank account in their own name through the platform to manage fund receipts, transfers, and asset conversions in one place.

The initiative arrives as stablecoin-linked Visa card programmes see significant traction; currently, more than 160 such programmes are live, with payment volumes reportedly increasing by nearly 200% year-over-year. By tapping into this infrastructure, the partnership aims to provide a more intuitive payment experience that aligns digital asset holdings with the practical requirements of global commerce.

"Digital assets are gradually becoming part of everyday financial life. This partnership with Visa connects the digital asset accounts Gate users already know with a broad range of commercial scenarios, making digital asset payments more intuitive and better aligned with everyday needs. As the service launches across more than 40 countries and territories, we aim to give users greater flexibility in how they use their assets and further expand the practical use of digital assets in global commerce."

Dr. Han, founder and CEO at Gate.

The companies involved

Gate is a digital asset exchange and financial services provider that has recently expanded its scope through the Gate Money application. The company operates as an independent entity with no listed parent company and has been the subject of six previous reports by this publication. Its recent strategic shift involves the integration of traditional financial instruments like stocks and ETFs alongside its core crypto offerings, positioning it as a multi-asset platform for global users.

Visa is a global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities. With a presence in more than 200 countries, Visa has increasingly positioned itself as a bridge for the crypto industry, providing the rails necessary for digital assets to interact with the legacy financial system. The company has a massive footprint in the fintech sector, with 721 stories in the FF News archive. Unlike many of its competitors, Visa has aggressively pursued stablecoin and crypto-linked card programmes, leveraging its existing infrastructure to maintain dominance as new forms of value emerge in the global marketplace.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has extensively followed Visa’s strategic moves to integrate digital payments and traditional banking. Recently, the publication covered how Moomoo Partners with Visa and Checkout.com for Real-Time Apple Pay and Google Pay Deposits, highlighting the company's role in streamlining trading platform funding. In the Middle East, we reported on how Emirates NBD Partners with Visa and Tripadvisor to Launch UAE’s First Bank-Led AI Travel Assistant. However, the payments giant also faces regulatory and legal headwinds, as seen when Visa and Mastercard Face £700m Legal Action Over Post-Brexit Fee Hikes. Additionally, Visa continues to bolster its brand presence through sports, recently becoming the Official Global Supporter of AFC Champions League for 2026-2029 Cycle.

What this means

This announcement underscores the intensifying competition among payment networks to capture the burgeoning crypto-to-fiat transaction volume. By enabling automatic conversion at the point of sale, Visa is effectively removing the friction that has historically relegated digital assets to speculative investments rather than medium-of-exchange tools. This puts significant pressure on traditional banks and legacy payment processors that have been slower to adopt crypto-native features. The success of this 40-market rollout will likely serve as a litmus test for whether integrated "super-apps" like Gate Money can successfully challenge incumbent financial institutions by offering a more holistic, asset-agnostic approach to personal finance.