Visa has just announced a collection of AI-based products that are designed to digitally transform commerce in the Asia Pacific region. Officials at the Visa Asia Pacific Media Showcase in Singapore pointed out that AI will change how payments work by letting smart agents oversee the choices for both meals and travel. Visa is releasing a new product called Visa Intelligent Commerce, which allows AI to be connected directly to its worldwide payment system. Companies like Ant International, Grab, and Tencent are currently discussing how to add these capabilities, which signals the industry is moving toward more automated systems.
Visa Intelligent Commerce and AI Agent Integration
At the center of Visa’s strategy is Visa Intelligent Commerce, a new initiative offering a suite of APIs and tools for embedding Visa services into AI ecosystems. The goal is to enable AI agents, virtual assistants or automated systems to handle transactions on behalf of users, using Visa’s 4.8 billion credentials across global merchants. This capability allows AI to not only recommend purchases but also complete them securely and seamlessly. Visa is currently working with companies like Ant International, Grab, and Tencent to bring these integrations to life. These firms represent some of the most influential players in Asia’s digital and financial ecosystems.
According to T.R. Ramachandran, Visa Asia Pacific’s Head of Products and Solutions, this evolution will empower consumers to let AI agents make both simple and complex purchases with ease. Whether it’s buying lunch, reserving hotel rooms, or managing subscription services, Visa sees AI agents as the future of commerce. The initiative aligns with Visa’s broader vision to create a more intelligent, secure, and frictionless payments environment. Through Visa Intelligent Commerce, the company is positioning itself as a key enabler of the coming AI-driven economy across the region.
Visa Expands Into Stablecoins and Flex Credentials
Visa also revealed updates to its product offerings, including expanded support for stablecoins. The company now enables fiat-to-stablecoin purchases and stablecoin spending globally through new card programs. In Asia Pacific, Visa is partnering with DCS Singapore, DTC Pay, and StraitsX to enable stablecoin-backed card usage and has already processed over $225 million in related settlements. The Visa Tokenized Asset Platform (VTAP), a tool for issuing fiat-backed tokens on public and private blockchains, will see broader access into 2026, deepening Visa’s crypto footprint.
In Japan, the Visa Flex Credential, launched with Sumitomo Mitsui companies, continues gaining momentum. This dynamic card lets users switch between debit, credit, and reward modes on a single credential. With over 5 million issued, these cards report 40% higher average spending than the national average. A version tailored for small businesses is also growing, allowing account toggling between personal and business spending. Visa plans to roll out the Flex Credential in Vietnam through partnerships with local banks, aiming to streamline financial access and enhance user flexibility. These innovations reflect Visa’s focus on creating adaptive payment solutions that align with evolving consumer needs in Asia’s fast-changing digital finance landscape.
New Payment Services and Digital Identity Rollouts
To further modernize transactions, Visa introduced new services like Visa Pay, allowing users to link any digital wallet to Visa-accepting merchants. Launch partners include LINE Pay (Taiwan), Maya (Philippines), OpenRice (Hong Kong), and Woori Card (South Korea). New digital ID tools, like Passkeys and Tap to Confirm, aim to improve security and transaction approval rates. Visa also debuted Visa Accept in Vietnam, enabling micro-sellers to accept contactless payments via NFC smartphones without extra hardware. From digital identity to rural commerce, these efforts reflect Visa’s drive to build a more inclusive, AI-ready payment ecosystem across Asia Pacific.
About The Author
