Truther to Launch Self-Custody USDT Payment Card in El Salvador Through Visa Partnership. Source: Image by profivideos from Pixabay
Crypto payments company Truther is preparing to launch a new self-custody USDT card in El Salvador on January 29 through a partnership with Visa, marking a significant step forward for stablecoin adoption in everyday payments. Unlike traditional crypto cards that require users to preload funds or rely on custodial platforms, Truther’s card pulls USDT directly from the user’s private wallet at the moment of purchase, offering a more secure and seamless experience.
Founder Rocelo Lopes explained that cardholders won’t need to top up balances in advance. Instead, if a user pays 30 euros at a hotel, the equivalent amount of USDT is converted and deducted in real time. The card carries a 2% currency conversion fee but, for Brazilian users, avoids the IOF tax commonly applied to financial transactions. After its debut in El Salvador—where bitcoin is legal tender—the product will expand to Truther’s global user base.
Built initially on the Polygon blockchain, the self-custody wallet aims to migrate to the Liquid network to enhance privacy. The Visa collaboration leverages Truther’s existing infrastructure, which already processes around $40 million in daily stablecoin volume, primarily by connecting USDT to Brazil’s rapid payment system, PIX. Visa’s involvement follows its stablecoin payout pilots for creators and gig workers, reinforcing the trend toward crypto-powered financial rails.
Truther is also extending its services across Latin America. Its Swapix API, designed for instant crypto-to-fiat conversions through local payment systems like PIX, is launching next in Argentina, followed by Mexico, Colombia, and Russia. These markets were selected due to robust 24/7 payment networks and support for QR code-based transactions, crucial for maintaining real-time settlement speeds.
The Truther wallet currently supports BTC, USDT, and a Brazilian real-pegged stablecoin on Liquid. By early 2025, it plans to add more local stablecoins, including Tether Gold and an Argentine peso-backed token. The wallet enables gas-free stablecoin transfers and QR-based payments. Lopes also hinted at partnerships with traditional banks to integrate stablecoins directly into their platforms, predicting that global stablecoin volume could triple within the next year as mainstream financial institutions accelerate adoption.