Utrecht-based fintech Quantoz Payments B.V. has partnered with global card network Visa Inc. in a move that could accelerate the real-world use of regulated stablecoins across Europe.
Under the agreement, Quantoz becomes a direct Visa principal member, enabling it to issue virtual Visa debit cards and act as a BIN sponsor for third-party fintechs and platforms. The setup allows customers to spend regulated e-money and stablecoins anywhere Visa is accepted, including online, in physical stores, and through mobile wallets such as Apple Pay (by Apple Inc.) and Google Pay (by Google LLC).
The partnership reflects broader momentum in the stablecoin market. According to industry data, the total global stablecoin market capitalization has surpassed $150 billion in recent years, with annual transaction volumes reaching into the trillions of dollars, increasingly rivaling traditional payment rails in certain corridors. While much of that activity remains crypto-native, regulated e-money tokens in Europe are emerging under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, aiming to bridge blockchain infrastructure with mainstream financial services.
Through the new arrangement, a customer’s balance held with Quantoz will represent the spendable balance on their virtual Visa card. Fintechs and digital platforms will be able to embed branded card products directly into their offerings, extending the utility of regulated digital money into everyday payment scenarios. Technical integration is currently underway as part of Quantoz’s broader embedded finance strategy.
Arnoud Star Busmann, CEO of Quantoz Payments, commented:
“Becoming a Visa principal member is a major milestone for Quantoz. It allows us to make regulated digital money truly usable in day-to-day payments, while removing the complexity for fintechs and platforms. By handling the regulatory, operational and technical heavy lifting, we enable our partners to launch branded card products that connect compliant digital money with one of the world’s most widely accepted payment networks.”
Jos van de Kerkhof, Visa Country Manager for the Netherlands, said:
“Visa is focused on enabling innovation across the payments ecosystem and supporting new ways for digital value to be used within trusted payment experiences. Partnerships like this help fintechs and platforms explore how regulated digital money can integrate with established card infrastructure, while maintaining strong standards for security and compliance.”
Founded in 2015, Quantoz N.V. operates through its subsidiary Quantoz Payments, established in 2021. The company issues USDQ, a US dollar-backed e-money token, as well as EURQ and EURD, two euro-denominated tokens within the European Economic Area. These tokens are fully backed 1:1 with fiat currency and highly liquid financial instruments.
Quantoz Payments holds an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the Dutch Central Bank. Client funds received in exchange for e-money tokens are safeguarded via a bankruptcy-remote structure and subject to prudential supervision. In addition to full backing of tokens in circulation, the company is required to maintain at least an additional 2% of reserves on its balance sheet.
The partnership is focused on the European market and is positioned to support new consumer and business use cases built on regulated digital money, potentially narrowing the gap between blockchain-based value and traditional card payments infrastructure.
