Zepz has made a bold statement by introducing stablecoin-linked Visa cards, marking a significant step in bridging cryptocurrencies with everyday transactions. This move, powered by a partnership with Visa and the stablecoin infrastructure company Bridge, unlocks new possibilities for businesses and individuals working with digital currencies.
Why This Matters to Entrepreneurs and Businesses
Stablecoins have long been seen as a bridge between the fast-moving world of blockchain and more traditional financial systems. By linking their Visa cards to stablecoins, Zepz allows users to easily pay for goods and services anywhere Visa is accepted, without the price swings associated with traditional cryptocurrencies. This innovation is uniquely positioned to bolster cross-border transactions and encourage financial inclusivity in regions with underdeveloped banking systems.
For business owners, this development is particularly appealing as it simplifies the process of receiving payments in local currency while tapping into a global client base. As someone with years of experience building cross-border partnerships, I see this as a necessary step for the evolution of digital payment systems.
Key Features of the Service
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Spending Stablecoins, Seamlessly Converted to Fiat
When a user makes a payment with their stablecoin-linked Visa card, the amount is deducted from their stablecoin holdings and converted to the fiat currency of the merchant at the point of sale. This avoids the challenge of businesses needing to accept or understand cryptocurrencies. -
Focused on Emerging Markets
The initial rollout targets regions like Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. These markets often experience challenges with traditional banking systems, including high transaction fees for international transfers and long processing times. -
Wallet Integration
Zepz enables users to integrate the stablecoin-linked cards with digital wallets, making this service accessible to both businesses and individuals.
By the Numbers
Stablecoins are no longer a niche product. With a market valuation of approximately $230 billion, their utility continues to expand beyond cryptocurrency enthusiasts. A report by Visa shows that global stablecoin card transaction volumes quadrupled in 2023 compared to 2022, highlighting the growing interest in crypto-linked payment options.
Moreover, more than 130 stablecoin-linked card programs already exist across 40 countries. This shows a clear trend: stablecoins are entering the mainstream.
How to Leverage Zepz's Stablecoin-Linked Visa Cards
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Get Familiar with Stablecoins
If you're new to stablecoins, start by understanding widely used options such as USDT and USDC. Platforms like CoinMarketCap provide historical data and real-time price insights on these currencies. -
Open a Supported Wallet
Wallets compatible with Zepz’s system will be key to managing and spending your stablecoins. Research wallets with a strong track record of blockchain security and user experience. -
Apply for the Card
Once you're ready, apply for the card through Zepz's platform. Depending on your location, there could be additional steps, such as linking local identification documents. -
Test for Business Use
Entrepreneurs should consider accepting these cards as an option at checkout, particularly if you’re working in cross-border e-commerce. This could reduce payment friction for customers while giving them an additional payment option. -
Track the Performance
It’s important to monitor the effectiveness of stablecoin payments and their impact on your revenues. Platforms like Visa On-Chain Analytics let you measure transaction activity and identify bottlenecks.
Mistakes to Avoid
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Assuming Stable Is Risk-Free
Stablecoins may be designed for price stability, but they still carry their own risks, such as regulatory concerns or dependency on the financial health of the issuers. -
Overlooking Volatility in Conversion Rates
While your payment is converted to fiat seamlessly, fiat-to-crypto or crypto-to-fiat processes might incur costs that impact your bottom line. -
Ignoring Local Reception
Some regions still have low awareness of or trust in cryptocurrencies. It’s vital to understand your market when introducing these options to your customers or integrating them into your business operations.
Insights from My Experience
One of the strongest aspects of this service is how it addresses long-standing gaps in cross-border payments, especially for small businesses or freelancers aiming to work beyond their immediate geography. Having navigated the challenges of international transactions myself, I can tell you that fees, delays, and conversion missteps add stress to what should be straightforward processes.
The collaboration between Zepz and Bridge doesn't just simplify this; it normalizes the use of blockchain for everyday commerce without leaning too heavily on overselling crypto itself. This tactful balance between innovation and practicality could be one of the reasons this rollout succeeds.
Conclusion
Zepz has laid the groundwork for a user-friendly and global approach to spending stablecoins. For entrepreneurs, freelancers, and small business owners, this move offers a fresh way to improve the flexibility and speed of transactions, especially across borders.
The big win here lies in its practicality. Stablecoin-linked Visa cards remove barriers that once divided blockchain technology from real-world use cases. If you're ready to explore this space, start small, test the waters with trusted wallets and stablecoins, and adapt as you see success. With payments giants like Visa doubling down on this approach, crypto-linked payments may soon become as ordinary as the cards already in your wallets.
FAQ
1. What are Zepz stablecoin-linked Visa cards?
Zepz stablecoin-linked Visa cards allow users to spend their stablecoins at any merchant that accepts Visa by converting the stablecoins into local fiat currency at the point of sale, ensuring seamless transactions. Learn more about stablecoin-linked Visa cards
2. How do stablecoin-linked Visa cards work?
These cards deduct funds from the user's stablecoin balance, convert it into fiat currency at the point of sale, and provide the merchant with payment in their local currency.
3. What stablecoins can be used with Zepz Visa cards?
While the article doesn't detail specific stablecoins supported by Zepz, widely adopted options like USDT and USDC are commonly used in such systems. Check out stablecoin options
4. Where are the stablecoin-linked Visa cards initially available?
The rollout targets countries including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Chile. These regions often face challenges with traditional banking systems and benefit from innovative payment solutions. Explore the rollout details
5. Why are stablecoin-linked Visa cards important for businesses?
These cards simplify receiving payments in local currency, offer a global reach, and eliminate the price volatility associated with traditional cryptocurrencies.
6. How can entrepreneurs benefit from these cards?
Entrepreneurs, especially in cross-border e-commerce, could reduce payment friction with global customers while providing an additional payment option.
7. How popular are stablecoin-linked card programs worldwide?
There are over 130 stablecoin-linked card issuing programs in 40 countries, with global stablecoin card transaction volumes quadrupling in 2023 compared to 2022. Understand the growth of stablecoin usage
8. What are the potential risks with stablecoins?
Though designed for stability, stablecoins carry risks like regulatory concerns and reliance on the financial health of issuers, which users must remain aware of.
9. Can stablecoin-linked cards enhance financial inclusivity?
Yes, these cards aim to improve access to financial services, especially in regions with underdeveloped banking systems, offering users an alternative to high transaction fees and long processing times.
10. What tools can businesses use to track their stablecoin transactions?
Platforms like Visa On-Chain Analytics allow businesses to monitor transaction activity, identify bottlenecks, and evaluate the impact of stablecoin payments on their operations. Explore Visa On-Chain Analytics
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
