"Breaking Barriers: On-Chain Crypto Now Spends Seamlessly via Global Visa Network"

Tangem has launched Tangem Pay, a non-custodial virtual Visa card that enables users to spend on-chain USDC stablecoins globally while retaining self-custody of their assets. The service, introduced in late November 2025, allows users to transact at millions of Visa-accepting merchants, including through Apple Pay and Google Pay, without converting their crypto to fiat beforehand, according to a Crypto.News report. The card operates on the Polygon network, leveraging its low transaction costs and high throughput to facilitate seamless spending, according to Tangem's blog post.

Tangem Pay functions as a separate account within the Tangem Wallet app, segregating spendable balances from users' primary crypto holdings. Funds remain on-chain until a transaction is authorized, at which point USDC is converted 1:1 into USD via Visa's payment rails. The security model employs a dual-key system: one key is held by the user, while the other is managed by Rain, a compliance partner responsible for KYC checks and card authorizations.

Rain cannot access or move funds unless explicitly spent through the card, as Cryptopolitan reports.

The rollout begins in the U.S., Latin America, and select Asia-Pacific regions, including Japan, Singapore, and Australia, with a European launch planned for Q1 2026 under MiCA regulatory alignment, Tangem's blog post said. No transaction or monthly fees apply, though users pay standard Visa foreign exchange charges and Polygon gas fees. The service initially supports native USDC on Polygon, with plans to expand to additional stablecoins and networks, according to Phemex.

Tangem's partnership with Paera LLC, a U.S.-based payment infrastructure firm, underpins the card's compliance framework. Rain, the issuing partner, handles regulatory obligations, ensuring the product adheres to global stablecoin rules while preserving user privacy. As Tangem Pay CEO Marcos Nunes explained, the solution bridges traditional finance and crypto by "breaking barriers" between on-chain assets and everyday spending without compromising security, as CCN reported.

The service aims to address cross-border payment challenges in developing markets, where high remittance costs and liquidity gaps persist. By enabling on-chain transactions, Tangem Pay reduces fees for users in regions like Africa and Southeast Asia, where stablecoins can hedge against fiat volatility. The company also plans to integrate with Western Union's Solana-based digital asset network in 2026, further expanding its global reach, Cryptopolitan reported.

Regulatory scrutiny of stablecoins remains a key consideration. Tangem Pay's design complies with emerging frameworks such as the U.S. GENIUS Act and EU's MiCA, ensuring transparency and operational resilience across its 42 launch countries, Cryptopolitan reported. This compliance-driven approach differentiates it from alternatives like Best Wallet, a no-KYC competitor offering broader crypto payment support.

Tangem aims to reach 10 million users by 2026, up from 350,000 monthly active users today. With its focus on scalability, low fees, and seamless user experience, the platform positions itself as a leader in mainstream crypto adoption. As Nunes emphasized, the goal is to make crypto spending "as simple as banking," targeting both crypto enthusiasts and the broader global population, CCN reported.