Western Union has partnered with Rain to launch Stablecard by Western Union, a digital wallet and Visa-linked card that allows customers in supported markets to hold, transfer, and spend U.S. dollar-denominated value internationally.

The product uses USDPT, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Anchorage Digital Bank on the Solana blockchain. USDPT is designed to maintain a 1:1 value with the U.S. dollar and is backed by reserves.

Stablecard combines a USDPT wallet with a Visa card in one mobile application. Customers can receive Western Union transfers into their wallet, maintain their balance in USDPT, transfer funds to compatible digital-asset wallets and exchanges, and use their balance for purchases at Visa-accepting merchants and ATMs. The card can also be added to services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Western Union says the product could be particularly useful in countries where local currencies experience significant volatility, giving recipients the option to retain funds in a dollar-linked digital asset rather than immediately converting them into local currency.

Stablecard initially launched across 37 markets, with Western Union aiming to expand availability to more than 60 markets by the end of 2026.

Rain provides the underlying infrastructure for the wallet and card, including stablecoin payment capabilities and compliance systems. The companies say the partnership is intended to make stablecoin-based payments accessible to consumers without requiring them to understand blockchain technology.

The launch forms part of Western Union’s broader strategy to expand its digital financial-services offering by combining its international money-transfer network with stablecoin technology and widespread card acceptance.

Key takeaway

Stablecard essentially combines Western Union’s remittance network, a dollar-backed stablecoin wallet, and Visa spending capabilities into one product. Its main proposition is to let customers receive and hold dollar value digitally and then spend that value globally, particularly in markets where local currencies may be unstable.