Stablecoin Debit Cards Launch in Emerging Markets

Opera's MiniPay has launched a Visa debit card that allows users in select markets to make purchases using stablecoins. The card, powered by Gnosis Pay's infrastructure, enables users to pay directly from their MiniPay wallets while merchants receive local currency through Visa's network.

The launch comes as stablecoins gain traction in emerging markets. In Latin America, a recent Bitso report found that dollar-backed stablecoins overtook Bitcoin as the most-purchased crypto asset among its users in 2025. USDC and USDT accounted for a combined 40% of purchases.

Africa has also emerged as a key growth market for stablecoin issuers seeking to expand payment and remittance services. Circle partnered with African fintech Sasai to expand USDC-powered cross-border payments across the region in March. The total value of stablecoins in circulation has risen to roughly $315 billion, up from about $250 billion a year ago.