Visa, Circle Team Up With Fintech Firm to Drive Crypto Adoption in Emerging Markets

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5 May 2021

Visa has partnered with fintech startup Tala to drive crypto adoption for underbanked customers in emerging markets.

  • The companies will begin by providing access to USD coin (USDC), the Ethereum-based stablecoin backed by the U.S. dollar, according to an announcement Wednesday.
  • Collaborating with USDC operator Circle and the Stellar Development Foundation, Tala will provide access to USDC via its digital wallet.
  • Visa’s involvement will give Tala the ability to issue payment cards linked to the wallet.
  • Tala is a California-based startup that says it has provided over $2 billion in credit to over 6 million customers in countries such as Mexico, the Philippines, Kenya and India in the form of micro-loans.
  • The company has raised over $200 million in funding, including a $110 million Series D in August 2019, with PayPal among its backers. 
  • Visa confirmed the partnership when contacted by CoinDesk.

See also: Visa Settles USDC Transaction on Ethereum, Plans Rollout to Partners

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