Visa Pivots to AI-Driven Payments and Stablecoins in APAC
Visa is accelerating its strategy to reinvent how everyday transactions work by leaning into artificial intelligence-enabled payments and the use of stablecoins. Speaking to the press, Stephen Karpin, Visa’s Asia-Pacific president, outlined a roadmap that reframes what it means to “pay with a card” in a world where digital networks often surpass physical plastic.
“These days, when people talk about ‘cards’, it’s not just a piece of plastic. It’s a digital network proposition where you can pay or be paid,” Karpin said, underscoring Visa’s broader mission to position itself as a holistic payments platform rather than a traditional card issuer. The strategy centers on AI to improve fraud detection, optimize settlement efficiency, and tailor consumer experiences while exploring the potential of stablecoins to enable faster, cross-border transactions.
Why AI-Enabled Payments Matter
Artificial intelligence is becoming foundational to how payment networks operate. For Visa, AI promises to:
- Enhance security through real-time anomaly detection and more precise risk scoring.
- Increase operational efficiency by automating routine reconciliation and settlement workflows.
- Deliver personalized experiences, from merchant recommendations to contextual payment prompts that reduce checkout friction.
APAC, with its mix of high-growth digital wallets and traditional bank channels, offers a proving ground for AI-enabled payments. Visa aims to blend its classic card rails with modern digital networks so merchants and consumers enjoy smoother experiences regardless of the device or channel.
Stablecoins: A Path to Faster, Global Transactions
Stablecoins, which are typically pegged to a stable asset like the U.S. dollar, are being evaluated as a way to settle cross-border payments more quickly and predictably. Karpin emphasized that stablecoins could complement existing rails by providing real-time settlement, reducing currency volatility risk and lowering costs for both merchants and consumers in the region.
For APAC markets with complex regulatory environments and diverse financial ecosystems, the potential adoption of stablecoins hinges on robust compliance, clear KYC standards, and interoperable rails. Visa’s involvement signals a shift toward enabling digital currencies that work within a trusted, regulated network rather than on the fringes of the crypto landscape.
APAC as a Testing Ground and Growth Engine
Asia-Pacific is not only a centerpiece for Visa’s growth ambitions; it is also a laboratory for pilots that could be scaled globally. The region’s rapid digital payments adoption, high smartphone penetration, and open banking initiatives create fertile ground for AI and digital currency experiments. Karpin notes that partnerships with banks, fintechs, and merchants will be essential to building a seamless ecosystem where AI decisions, stablecoin settlements, and traditional card payments coexist harmoniously.
What This Means for Consumers and Merchants
For consumers, the shift could bring smarter fraud protection, faster cross-border payments, and more flexible checkout options that work across cards and digital wallets. Merchants could see lower settlement times and better reconciliation, paired with AI-driven insights to optimize pricing, promotions, and payment acceptance across channels.
Visa’s strategy does not imply abandoning the card-centric model. Instead, it envisions a broader, interoperable network where a payment can flow through multiple rails—card, digital wallet, or stablecoin—according to what delivers the best value to the user and the business.
Looking Ahead
As Visa leans into AI-enabled payments and stablecoins, the company aims to maintain a balance between innovation and security. The APAC region is expected to play a central role in shaping how these technologies mature—from regulatory readiness to merchant adoption and consumer trust. Stephen Karpin’s comments reflect a broader industry shift: the future of payments is a connected network that transcends traditional card limitations, powered by intelligent systems and resilient digital currencies.
