Western Union to Launch USDPT Stablecoin and Prepaid Card in Major Shift Toward Digital Payments

Source: ETHNews Original Title: Western Union to Launch USDPT Stablecoin and Prepaid Card in Major Shift Toward Digital Payments Original Link: Western Union is preparing one of its most ambitious pivots yet: the launch of a prepaid stablecoin card and its own U.S. dollar-pegged token, the U.S. Dollar Payment Token (USDPT).

The initiative represents a significant break from the company’s historically cautious stance on crypto, signaling a broader move to modernize its global remittance infrastructure.

A Stablecoin Card Built for High-Inflation Economies

The centerpiece of Western Union’s new strategy is a prepaid “stable card” designed to protect users in inflation-heavy markets. The card will allow consumers in countries such as Argentina to hold funds denominated in USDPT rather than their rapidly devaluing local currencies.

By linking the card directly to Western Union’s upcoming stablecoin, recipients can preserve the purchasing power of their remittances, spend the value at merchants, or withdraw local cash at participating Western Union branches.

For users facing severe inflationary pressure, this offers a far more stable alternative to storing value in domestic fiat.

How the Card Works

The card functions as a standard Visa-powered prepaid product, but with stablecoins as the underlying balance:

• Users receive funds in USDPT
• They can spend it at merchants, online or offline
• They can withdraw cash in local currency
• Crypto-to-cash conversions are handled seamlessly through Western Union’s network

This bridges the gap between traditional payments and digital assets without requiring customers to interact with exchanges or complex crypto tools.

Regulated Partners Power the Ecosystem

Western Union is leaning on two key partners to execute this transformation:

• Rain: Rain will issue the Visa cards and manage the crypto-to-cash infrastructure that enables users to convert stablecoins into spendable value instantly.
• Anchorage Digital: Western Union’s new stablecoin, USDPT, will be issued by Anchorage Digital Bank, a fully regulated U.S. crypto bank. Anchorage will handle custody of reserves, regulatory oversight, and issuance to ensure the token remains fully compliant and secure.

Solana Selected as the Blockchain Layer

USDPT will launch on the Solana blockchain, chosen for:

• High transaction throughput
• Very low fees
• Strong scalability
• Reliable settlement speeds

These features make it suitable for remittance flows, where cost efficiency and global reach are essential.

Launch Timeline and Expansion Plans

Western Union’s rollout spans two phases:

• H1 2025: Launch of the Digital Asset Network, enabling the global on-ramp/off-ramp system
• H1 2026: Launch of the USDPT stablecoin and prepaid stablecoin card

This timeline positions Western Union to become one of the largest traditional finance players integrating direct stablecoin technology.

A Strategic Shift After Years of Crypto Skepticism

This initiative marks one of the most significant strategic U-turns in Western Union’s history. Rather than rely on traditional correspondent banking rails, the company is building its own digital-asset infrastructure to:

• Speed up cross-border transfers
• Reduce settlement costs
• Improve liquidity across its network
• Capture more of the economic value behind stablecoin remittances

Western Union’s leadership has emphasized a clear goal: to “own the economics” of the stablecoin process rather than simply facilitate it.

As more fintechs, exchanges, and blockchain networks enter the global remittance business, Western Union’s move positions it to remain competitive, and potentially reshape how value is moved across borders for millions of users worldwide.