US-based Mesh, a provider of payment infrastructure for crypto and digital assets, announced on October 19, 2026 (Eastern Time) that it has entered into a strategic partnership with global payment giant Visa.
This allows users of participating wallet apps to make payments directly from their existing cryptocurrency or stablecoin balances at Visa-accepting merchants worldwide (both physical stores and online).
We will outline the new crypto payment scheme that eliminates the need for pre-loading or issuing dedicated prepaid cards, its technical mechanism, and its impact on the market.
1. Evolution of payment mechanisms and user experience
Traditional “crypto cards” (crypto debit/prepaid cards) required the issuance of dedicated plastic or virtual cards and involved the hassle of selling or pre-loading cryptocurrency.
In this collaboration between Mesh and Visa, this friction (friction cost) is completely eliminated as payment credentials are automatically generated on the backend.
[利用者のウォレット (BTC / ETH / ステーブルコイン)]
│
▼ (Meshが裏側で自動暗号資産換金・KYC・充当調整)
[Visa決済ネットワーク (1億7,500万超の加盟店拠点)]
│
▼ (加盟店は通常の法定通貨等で代金を受領)
[決済完了 (非接触 / EC)]
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Direct payment without card issuance: While keeping balances in supported wallets, users can complete Visa payments directly via smartphone contactless payment (NFC) or on e-commerce sites.
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Zero modifications or costs for merchants: Since payments are processed through the standard Visa network, merchants and e-commerce operators do not need to introduce new payment terminals or change register operations.
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Mesh’s role (Program Manager): Mesh handles all backend processing, including fund conversion during payment (optimal exchange between crypto, stablecoins, and fiat currency), identity verification (KYC), and registration procedures.
2. The rapid growth of US-based Mesh and its presence in the ecosystem
Founded in 2020, Mesh is a FinTech startup that is rapidly gaining recognition as an interface (middleware) connecting Web3 services with traditional payment infrastructure.
【Meshの成長・実績のポイント】
・大手企業への技術提供 : 米PayPalの「Pay with Crypto（暗号資産決済機能）」の基盤技術を提供
・巨額の資金調達 : 2026年1月にシリーズCで7,500万ドル（約119億円）を調達（評価額10億ドル）
・主要投資家 : Dragonfly Capital、Paradigm、Coinbase Ventures、SBI Investment 等
By integrating Visa’s global payment network of over 175 million merchant locations across more than 200 countries and regions with Mesh’s crypto conversion platform, there is potential for cryptocurrency to shift from being “merely an investment or holding asset” to a “daily payment method (mass adoption).”
3. Future developments and points to watch
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Service launch timing and announcement of participating operators: At this time, the launch date, initial supported wallet apps, and terminal range have not been announced, and further details are awaited.
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Policy regarding the Japanese market (domestic legal regulations): The announcement did not mention whether the service will be available in Japan, and attention will be focused on how it will be adapted to domestic crypto exchange operators and regulatory frameworks such as the Payment Services Act.
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