Two big money tech companies have joined forces to make digital cash easier to spend. On October 16,
2026, card firm Marqeta announced a new deal with crypto exchange Coinbase. This new team effort
lets companies issue payment cards. The cards are backed directly by digital stablecoins.
Marqeta is a public firm listed on the Nasdaq market under the ticker symbol MQ. The company builds
computer tools that power payment cards for big web apps and banks. In 2025 alone, Marqeta handled
nearly four hundred billion dollars in card payments. Coinbase is the largest crypto exchange in the
United States. It trades under the ticker symbol COIN. Together, the two firms want to bridge the gap
between traditional card networks and modern blockchain tools.
The new service focuses on stablecoins. A stablecoin is a digital coin designed to stay at a steady price. It
is usually equal to one United States dollar. Many businesses and online workers hold stablecoins. They
like them because they settle fast. They also cost very little to send. However, spending stablecoins at
normal stores has often been hard. Users usually had to sell their coins for cash first. Then they had to
wait for a bank transfer. Finally, they had to spend the money. That process took too much time. It also
created extra fees for everyday users.
This new deal removes those slow steps. The two firms divided the work into clear roles. Coinbase will
store the stablecoins in safe vaults. It will also handle instant cash trades. The Base blockchain will

record the on-chain moves. Base is Coinbase’s fast computer network. Meanwhile, Marqeta will issue
the plastic and digital cards. Marqeta also processes card swipes. It connects cards with global card
networks like Visa and Mastercard.
This setup lets business clients launch card programs with just one simple tool. Both crypto startups and
regular firms can give cards to their workers or clients. When a cardholder taps their card at a store, the
system checks their digital dollar balance on Base. The system converts the exact amount into normal
cash in seconds. That allows people to spend stablecoins at millions of shops and websites around the
world. The store clerk just sees a normal card payment. The shopper does not have to sell coins
beforehand.
The service also gives companies round-the-clock funding options. Normal bank wires only move during
weekday business hours. In contrast, blockchain networks run all day and night without breaks.
Businesses can add money to card accounts on weekends. They can add money on holidays too. They do
not have to wait for banks to open. This flexibility helps firms pay workers in different time zones
without delay. Companies do not have to worry about bank holidays or slow wire transfers.
In addition, global online shops can use these cards to pay international vendors. Small businesses often
face high foreign exchange fees. They also face slow bank wait times. By using stablecoin cards,
companies can settle payments across borders almost instantly. Workers who get paid in stablecoins can
use their card at any grocery store, gas station, or cafe right away.
Industry watchers say stablecoins are quickly becoming the most popular use for blockchain technology.
In 2026, global stablecoin payments reached trillions of dollars in annual volume. By linking crypto
balances to existing card networks, Coinbase and Marqeta are helping digital dollars move into everyday
commerce. It shows how crypto tools can work alongside regular banking systems to make payments
faster for everyone. More merchants and shoppers can now enjoy the benefits of digital money without
needing to learn complex crypto steps. The tool makes digital dollars as easy to use as a regular debit
card in any shop.