Mercuryo and Visa announced their strategic partnership on January 22, creating a direct path for users to convert digital assets into fiat and receive funds on eligible Visa debit and credit cards. The deal uses Visa Direct to speed conversions, addressing a key friction point between crypto wallets and traditional payment rails.
The agreement integrates Mercuryo’s payments infrastructure with Visa Direct, Visa’s real‑time payments network, to route converted fiat directly to card accounts. Conversions are executed in near real time, with funds typically reaching cards within minutes, according to the announcement.
Mercuryo framed the capability as an expansion of its existing ecosystem of non‑custodial wallets, exchanges and payment providers, while Visa’s role supplies the global settlement rails and reliability needed for mass payments.
“By leveraging Visa Direct’s capabilities, Mercuryo is not only making converting to fiat faster, simpler and more accessible than ever; it’s building bridges between the crypto space and the traditional financial system,” said Anastasia Serikova, Head of Visa Direct Europe.
Market implications and practical limits
For users, the service promises a materially faster off‑ramp than conventional exchange withdrawals or bank transfers, improving liquidity and utility for retail and business holders who need fiat immediately. For merchants and payment providers, the integration reduces settlement friction for crypto‑backed flows, particularly in cross‑border scenarios.
However, the partnership’s effective reach will vary by jurisdiction. Public announcements stopped short of naming supported tokens; that reflects both product flexibility and a constraint: local regulatory frameworks will determine which assets and which customers can access the service. Users are advised to verify supported tokens and regional availability with Mercuryo directly.
The cost angle is also relevant. The companies positioned the integration as more cost‑effective than traditional crypto‑to‑fiat paths. If fees and foreign‑exchange spreads remain competitive, the service could shift user behavior toward on‑chain holdings used for day‑to‑day payments.
Investors and market participants will now watch how quickly regional rollouts and compliance approvals translate the January 22, 2026 announcement into active service in specific markets. Regulatory clearance and token support lists will be the immediate tests of whether the integration drives broader fiat liquidity and real‑world use of digital assets.
