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Visa enables crypto withdrawals on debit cards in 145 countries

Visa is doubling down on cryptocurrency adoption by enabling another method to exchange crypto to fiat currencies without using a centralized exchange. Visa has partnered with the Web3 infrastructure provider Transak to introduce cryptocurrency withdrawals and payments through the Visa Direct solution, the firms announced on Jan. 30.

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Visa is doubling down on cryptocurrency adoption by enabling another method to exchange crypto to fiat currencies without using a centralized exchange. Visa has partnered with the Web3 infrastructure provider Transak to introduce cryptocurrency withdrawals and payments through the Visa Direct solution, the firms announced on Jan. 30.

The new integration allows users to withdraw cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin

directly from a wallet like MetaMask to a Visa debit card. Available immediately, the integration enables one to exchange crypto to fiat and pay at 130 million merchant locations where Visa is accepted.

By enabling real-time card withdrawals through Visa Direct, Transak is delivering a faster, simpler and more connected experience for its users — making it easier to convert crypto balances into fiat,” Visa Direct’s North America Head Yanilsa Gonzalez-Ore said.

The collaboration significantly expands the number of options to convert crypto into fiat currencies and brings a big milestone in bridging the crypto and traditional finance worlds, Transak’s marketing head and investor relations lead Harshit Gangwar noted.

The partnership allows users from 145 countries to directly convert at least 40 cryptocurrencies to fiat without relying on centralized exchanges. Some of the supported countries include jurisdictions like ​​Cyprus, Malta, Singapore, Turkey, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates, according to Transak’s global coverage page.

“This is a major step towards mainstream acceptance and utilization of cryptocurrencies,” Gangwar said, highlighting a more accessible and convenient nature of the transactions enabled by the integration.

According to Gangwar, the collaboration brings significant benefits to users of decentralized platforms and wallets like the MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet and others. “MetaMask users can now effortlessly off-ramp directly from their wallet to the Visa card, which enhances the usability and practicality of their digital assets,” he noted.

One of the world’s largest companies in the payments industry, Visa has been actively exploring the use cases of cryptocurrency in recent years. In 2020, Visa made a major move into crypto, by partnering with the blockchain firm Circle to support the USDC stablecoin on certain Visa cards. In September 2023, Visa rolled out support for USDC payments settled on the Solana blockchain as it continued to expand the support of the stablecoin.

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7-Eleven South Korea to accept CBDC payments in national pilot program

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7-Eleven is set to participate in the testing phase of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) initiative, running from April to June. The retail giant’s involvement highlights the growing push for digital currency integration in everyday transactions.

The pilot program will assess the feasibility of CBDC payments at 7-Eleven stores, allowing customers to make purchases using the digital currency. The initiative is part of a broader effort to explore the real-world application of CBDCs in retail environments, potentially shaping future payment systems.

As central banks worldwide accelerate their digital currency research, private sector collaboration is seen as crucial for widespread adoption. If successful, 7-Eleven’s participation could pave the way for broader CBDC usage across retail and commercial sectors.

The outcome of the testing phase will provide valuable insights into consumer adoption, transaction efficiency, and potential regulatory considerations, influencing how CBDCs are integrated into mainstream financial systems.

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SEC and Gemini ask to pause lawsuit to explore ‘potential resolution’

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and crypto exchange Gemini have agreed to pause legal proceedings as both sides explore a potential resolution to their ongoing lawsuit. The move signals a possible settlement in the high-profile case, which centers around Gemini’s now-defunct Earn program.

The SEC initially sued Gemini, alleging that the Earn program—designed to offer users yield on crypto deposits—operated as an unregistered securities offering. Gemini has pushed back against the claims, arguing that its operations complied with regulatory standards.

By pausing litigation, both parties may be looking for a compromise that could set a precedent for crypto lending products in the U.S. A settlement could also provide regulatory clarity for similar platforms navigating SEC scrutiny.

While the outcome remains uncertain, the crypto industry is closely watching the case, as its resolution could impact future enforcement actions and the broader regulatory approach toward digital asset lending services.

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GameStop finishes $1.5B raise to add Bitcoin to its balance sheet

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GameStop has successfully completed a debt offering, raising capital that may be used to acquire Bitcoin, signaling the company’s deeper foray into digital assets. The move aligns with its broader strategy to diversify beyond traditional retail operations and into emerging financial technologies.

While GameStop has not confirmed the exact allocation of the funds, market speculation suggests that a portion could be used to buy Bitcoin, following in the footsteps of companies like MicroStrategy. The potential investment would reinforce GameStop’s ongoing pivot toward blockchain and digital assets, an effort that began with its NFT marketplace and crypto-related initiatives.

Analysts see this development as part of a growing trend of corporations exploring Bitcoin as a reserve asset amid concerns over inflation and monetary policy. If GameStop proceeds with the acquisition, it could further validate Bitcoin’s role as a strategic investment for publicly traded companies.

The company’s board will ultimately decide how the newly raised capital is deployed. Investors and the broader crypto market are watching closely for any official announcements regarding GameStop’s Bitcoin strategy.

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