Visa has unveiled a wave of AI-powered payment innovations and digital commerce tools at its Asia Pacific Media Showcase, signalling a bold shift towards AI-driven commerce and greater financial interoperability in one of the world’s fastest-evolving digital economies.

The headline announcement was the introduction of Visa Intelligent Commerce, a new initiative opening Visa’s payment infrastructure to developers building the next generation of AI-powered shopping experiences. This move reflects Visa’s ambition to become a key enabler of commerce where autonomous agents – not just consumers – initiate and complete transactions.

“With our global network and leadership in payment innovation, we’re bringing new solutions that will transform commerce and deliver trust and security to AI-enabled payments,” said Jack Forestell, Visa’s Chief Product and Strategy Officer.

Visa is already in exploratory talks with regional powerhouses Ant International, Grab, and Tencent to integrate Visa Intelligent Commerce into their platforms. These discussions point to a future where AI agents embedded in everyday apps could independently manage everything from food delivery to booking holidays – powered by Visa credentials and infrastructure.

Visa Backs AI and Crypto to Drive Growth

Visa’s 3.3 trillion transaction-strong global network is now being retooled to handle AI-enabled commerce and stablecoin settlement. The company has already settled over US$225 million in stablecoin transactions and is working with Singapore’s StraitsX to extend this capability across Asia Pacific.

In the cryptocurrency space, Visa announced a stablecoin-backed card partnership with DCS Singapore, DTC Pay, and StraitsX, allowing users to buy and spend stablecoins across Visa’s merchant network. Consumers can seamlessly move between fiat and crypto, while businesses gain access to programmable money and faster settlements – even on weekends.

Visa’s Tokenized Asset Platform (VTAP) is also being expanded to let partners issue and manage fiat-backed tokens. The platform is expected to roll out to more partners later this year and into 2026.

Flex Credential and Digital Wallets Gain Momentum

Visa’s Flex Credential, a next-gen card letting users switch between debit, credit, and rewards, continues to grow. Originally launched in Japan with SMBC and SMCC as the “Olive” card, it now supports over 5 million accounts. Transactions on Olive are 40% higher than the national average, with Visa now eyeing Vietnam for expansion.

The product is also being tailored to help small businesses manage cash flow by toggling between personal and business accounts on the same card.

Meanwhile, Visa Pay is being rolled out across Asia Pacific, connecting any digital wallet to Visa’s global merchant network. New partners include LINE Pay in Taiwan, Maya in the Philippines, OpenRice in Hong Kong, and Woori Card in South Korea – strengthening Visa’s foothold in the region’s digital wallet-dominated market.

Empowering Micro-Sellers and Enhancing Digital Identity

Visa also launched Visa Accept in Vietnam, allowing informal sellers to accept payments via NFC-enabled smartphones – no POS terminal required. The tool is designed for micro-entrepreneurs and rural businesses to receive funds directly into their Visa debit cards using just a mobile app.

Additionally, Visa’s Digital Identity suite – featuring tools like Passkeys and Tap to Confirm – is now being rolled out in partnership with Coles in Australia and Maybank in Southeast Asia, aiming to boost transaction security and reduce consumer friction.

“As global commerce continues to evolve rapidly, Visa remains at the forefront,” said T.R. Ramachandran, Visa’s Head of Products and Solutions, Asia Pacific. “By combining AI capabilities with Visa’s trusted payment infrastructure, we’re enabling a seamless, secure, and more enjoyable experience for all.”