Visa Expands Stablecoin Use as Hashdex Wounds Down Spot Bitcoin ETF

Hashdex is winding down its spot Bitcoin ETF, known as DEFI. According to reports, the fund will officially close on August 17, 2026. The closure comes after a review of the product's performance, which saw assets under management reach only $14.7 million. This decision was likely influenced by the product's specific design and market volatility.

The news follows Visa announcing plans to enable stablecoin-based payouts through Zero Hash for clients using Visa Direct. With access to over 18 billion acceptance points in more than 195 countries, this move could significantly expand the use of digital currencies in everyday payments.

However, security concerns remain a pressing issue within the crypto space. A recent discovery involving Coldcard hardware wallets highlights the importance of code verification and ongoing asset protection efforts.