Visa has entered into a strategic partnership with ADI Foundation, an Abu Dhabi-based blockchain infrastructure provider, to explore how blockchain technology can integrate with established payment networks. According to reports from crypto.news, the collaboration will focus on digital payment solutions, payment infrastructure and the development of digital finance services, bringing Visa's global payments network together with ADI's distributed ledger infrastructure. The agreement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation and remains exploratory, with no specific blockchain, stablecoin, product or launch date announced.
The partnership will examine mechanisms that could make payment flows faster and more efficient while assessing technical infrastructure capable of supporting digital asset-based transactions. As reported by crypto.news, both companies will study how existing electronic payment networks can work with blockchain systems without requiring financial institutions to replace their current infrastructure. ADI Foundation has positioned its technology around institutional requirements such as policy compliance, interoperability and day-to-day operations, with its infrastructure designed specifically for institutional blockchain adoption.
Visa's latest research reveals significant interest in stablecoins across Asia Pacific markets, with 46% of consumers expressing likelihood to use stablecoins within five years compared to only 16% who used them in the past year. According to Visa's Consumer 360 study conducted between June and July 2026, the survey covered 14,250 consumers aged 18 to 65 across 14 Asia Pacific markets, including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Australia and New Zealand. The research found that cross-border transfers produced the strongest future-use reading at 49%, with Vietnam and India leading at 67% each in future-use intent. However, only 6% of respondents demonstrated accurate understanding of stablecoins, while 41% wrongly believe their value always increases over time. Most significantly, nearly half of the 14,250 surveyed consumers believed stablecoins could only be used to buy or sell other cryptocurrencies, highlighting widespread misconceptions about their utility.
The survey findings reveal a significant opportunity in the 2.5 billion middle-class consumers across Asia Pacific, with Visa's Nischint Sanghavi, head of digital currencies at Visa's APAC division, noting "We're seeing a meaningful shift in how consumers across Asia Pacific think about stablecoins." According to the research, concerns about fraud and scams were the most commonly cited obstacle among respondents who were aware of stablecoins but had not used them. The Asia Business Council reports that stablecoin providers, banks and card networks are competing for this payments opportunity in the region, where Asia already leads global stablecoin flows and onchain activity. Visa itself has expanded its stablecoin settlement network and is seeking to support a wider range of tokens and blockchains, with partner Reap preparing local-currency stablecoins for 24/7 foreign-exchange settlement in Asia and other markets.
The ADI partnership follows Visa's series of blockchain payment and settlement projects in 2026, including the launch of the Visa Stablecoin Platform in July, which allows banks, fintech companies and crypto businesses to mint, hold, transfer and redeem stablecoins through one operating environment. As reported by crypto.news, Visa's existing stablecoin-linked card network has expanded to more than 160 programs globally, with payment volume rising nearly 200% from year-earlier levels and stablecoin settlement volume surpassing a $20 billion annualized run rate by September. The company has secured partnerships with South Korea's Shinhan Financial Group for stablecoin payment infrastructure and Dunamu for stablecoin payments, international remittances and AI-based financial services. Visa's global stablecoin settlement pilot has expanded to nine blockchains and operates through partners including Crypto.com, Coinbase, StraitsX and Nium across Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan markets.
