Stablecoin Payments Surge 45% as Visa and Mastercard Expand Crypto Infrastructure

Key Facts

1Stablecoin payments reached $482 billion so far this year, representing a 45% increase.

2Global payment firms including Visa and Mastercard are connecting crypto to cash via new payment rails.

Stablecoin payments increased by 45% to reach $482 billion so far this year. CoinDesk reported that global payment firms, including Visa and Mastercard, are connecting cryptocurrencies to cash liquidity via new payment rails designed to integrate digital assets into mainstream transactions.

This infrastructure expansion continues despite a stall in overall stablecoin supply growth, as major financial institutions move to bridge the gap between digital assets and traditional fiat spending. In equity markets, V closed at $402.61 and MA closed at $617.42 on October 16, 2026, while peer AXP closed at $313.59 on the same date.