WasabiCard Launches Local Card Issuing Across 100+ Markets with Stablecoin Settlement

WasabiCard has launched a Local Issuing Solution to bridge the gap between stablecoin liquidity and regional card acceptance across more than 100 markets. For fintech professionals, this move simplifies global expansion by providing local bank identification numbers (BINs) and stablecoin settlement, significantly reducing the friction and high fees typically associated with cross-border payment infrastructure.

What was announced

The Local Issuing Solution is a stablecoin-powered payments infrastructure designed to help businesses build card programs that meet regional compliance standards. The platform supports program-level settlement in USDT, USDC, and Open USD (OUSD), allowing businesses to fund their programs directly from stablecoin balances while cardholders spend in local currency at any merchant accepting Visa or Mastercard.

A key feature of the announcement is the access to local bank identification numbers (BINs) through collaborations with financial institutions worldwide. By issuing cards in the specific market where transactions occur, businesses can improve merchant approval rates and minimize foreign exchange and cross-border fees. The solution offers both commercial and consumer BINs, which can be integrated into existing products via API as white-label offerings. These cards are compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay for both virtual and physical formats.

The infrastructure includes a compliance layer that cross-checks on-chain data before deposits are cleared. This system identifies funds linked to high-risk sources, such as scams or stolen assets, and provides an auditable record for issuing partners. WasabiCard claims that once the necessary know-your-business (KYB) and partner reviews are completed, accounts can be activated in as little as 24 hours. The solution is targeted at a variety of sectors, including digital advertising, corporate expense management, and the creator economy, where platforms need to distribute earnings to a global workforce.

The companies involved

WasabiCard is a provider of stablecoin-powered payments infrastructure that focuses on connecting Web3 assets with traditional financial rails. Led by Co-founder and CEO Ray Yang, the company has established a significant footprint in the digital asset payment space, operating across 200 countries and regions. To date, the firm has processed more than US$1 billion in transaction volume and has issued over 700,000 cards to a client base of more than 700 enterprise customers.

The company’s market position is defined by its ability to navigate the complexities of global card issuing, currently supporting over 70 different card BINs. By acting as a technical and compliance intermediary between stablecoin holders and traditional card networks like Visa and Mastercard, WasabiCard serves as a critical utility for businesses that operate with distributed teams or international customer bases. Its focus on "local" issuing represents a shift away from centralized, single-market card programs toward a more decentralized, region-specific approach to fintech infrastructure.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed WasabiCard’s expansion into specialized payment sectors over the past year. In August 2026, we covered how the company launched a global payroll solution to streamline cross-border payments for distributed teams. This was followed in September by reports on how the firm was scaling global creator payouts and expanding infrastructure for livestreaming businesses. Most recently, in October 2026, WasabiCard utilized the TOKEN2049 event in Singapore to showcase its compliance-focused white-label infrastructure, setting the stage for the current launch of its localized issuing capabilities.

What this means

This announcement moves the needle by addressing one of the most persistent "last mile" problems in crypto-payments: merchant acceptance. While stablecoins have proven efficient for B2B settlement, using them for everyday business expenses often triggers high FX markups or card declines due to non-local BINs. By localizing the issuance, WasabiCard is putting pressure on traditional cross-border providers who rely on legacy banking rails and high spreads. The move raises a significant question for the sector: as stablecoin settlement becomes indistinguishable from fiat at the point of sale, how will traditional banks respond to the loss of lucrative foreign exchange revenue from corporate card programs?