Marqeta and Zero Hash Partner to Enable Global Stablecoin Spending via Card Networks

Quick Summary

Marqeta and Zero Hash have partnered to enable stablecoin card issuance, allowing businesses to offer payment cards backed by digital dollars. This integration allows users to spend stablecoin balances across global card networks at millions of merchants, with real-time conversion to fiat currency at the point of sale.

How Does the Marqeta and Zero Hash Partnership Work?

The collaboration integrates Zero Hash's infrastructure directly into Marqeta’s modern card issuing platform. This allows businesses to launch stablecoin-backed card programs without the need to overhaul their core financial systems or navigate complex new regulatory landscapes independently. By combining onchain money movement with traditional payment rails, the solution bridges the gap between digital assets and everyday commerce.

• Custody and Liquidity: Zero Hash manages the underlying digital asset custody and compliance.
• Card Issuance: Marqeta handles the technical issuance, network relationships, and transaction processing.
• Merchant Acceptance: Users spend digital dollars, but merchants receive traditional fiat currency instantly.

Why is Stablecoin Card Issuance Gaining Momentum?

The move follows a massive surge in stablecoin transaction volume, which reached $7.2 trillion in early 2026, officially surpassing the U.S. ACH network. As digital dollar adoption scales, businesses are seeking ways to improve capital efficiency and offer faster settlement times. Zero Hash reported a 690% volume increase in 2025, signaling that stablecoins are no longer niche assets but core financial infrastructure for global payouts and payroll.

What Results Has This Technology Delivered?

Marqeta’s platform, which processed nearly $400 billion in volume in 2025, provides the scale necessary for multinational card programs. The integration allows for real-time settlement, reducing the friction typically associated with moving money between onchain environments and traditional bank accounts. This partnership specifically targets improved capital efficiency for platforms that previously struggled to make digital assets spendable at the physical point of sale.

FF NEWS TAKE:

This partnership moves the needle by turning stablecoin card issuance from a crypto-native novelty into a plug-and-play feature for mainstream fintechs. By leveraging Marqeta’s massive scale and Zero Hash’s regulated infrastructure, the duo is effectively commoditizing the bridge between onchain liquidity and legacy retail networks. It is a significant step toward making stablecoins the primary rail for cross-border consumer spending without requiring merchant-side upgrades.