Visa Inc. Partners with Circle and Pismo to Introduce Vietnam's First AI-Powered PayLater Card

In a significant move set to revolutionize the financial landscape in Vietnam, Visa Inc., a global leader in digital payments, has announced a strategic collaboration with Circle Asia Technologies and Pismo. This partnership aims to launch Vietnam’s first AI-powered PayLater card, a groundbreaking initiative that promises to enhance financial inclusion for millions of Vietnamese consumers. The card is anticipated to roll out in early 2026 and is designed to significantly improve the nation’s low credit card penetration.

The innovative PayLater card will utilize advanced artificial intelligence to offer users a seamless experience in building credit, managing finances, and making payments globally—all without the necessity of a traditional bank account. The AI-driven model enables Circle to assess risk and underwrite customers for an active virtual credit card in under five minutes. This swift approval process is aimed at dismantling the traditional barriers that have historically limited access to credit in Vietnam.

Circle’s initiative is bolstered by a partnership with one of Vietnam’s largest and most trusted commercial banks, ensuring that the PayLater card adheres to robust compliance standards while achieving significant market scale. This collaboration is pivotal in establishing trust and efficiency in the new financial product.

Arnab Ghosh, Founder & CEO of Circle Asia Technologies, emphasized the mission to create a more inclusive financial experience for Vietnamese consumers. “Circle is fundamentally redesigning the financial experience for consumers in Vietnam. We believe that by starting with a truly modern credit product, we can build a deeper, more valuable relationship with our customers than traditional banks or debit-focused neobanks ever could,” he stated. Ghosh acknowledged that collaboration with Visa and Pismo is essential for rapid innovation and enhanced consumer convenience.

Varun Dudeja, Head of Business Development, APAC at Pismo, highlighted the importance of integrating modern core processing technology with trusted global payment capabilities. He remarked, “This collaboration further accelerates the momentum toward a smarter and more inclusive digital financial ecosystem.”

Julie Hsiao, Head of Value-Added Services, Southeast Asia at Visa, reinforced the significance of innovation in payments as a key driver for financial inclusion. “Our collaboration with Circle and Pismo brings together advanced AI technology and Visa’s trusted global network to deliver secure, seamless, and personalized payment experiences for the Vietnamese market,” she noted. Hsiao expressed pride in supporting Vietnam’s digital transformation and setting new standards in financial services.

Pismo, which was acquired by Visa in 2024, provides a robust API and microservices-based platform that emphasizes continuous innovation and resilient performance. Remaining network-agnostic, Pismo collaborates with multiple card networks, enhancing Visa’s global infrastructure and accelerating the modernization of core banking and payment capabilities through cloud-native APIs. This integration empowers financial institutions and fintech companies to scale effectively while offering advanced value-added services to consumers.

The collaboration between Visa, Circle, and Pismo marks a transformative step forward in Vietnam’s financial ecosystem, particularly in enhancing accessibility to credit. With the upcoming launch of the AI-powered PayLater card, millions of Vietnamese consumers will soon have a new avenue to manage their finances, promote financial literacy, and participate in the global economy. As the rollout approaches in early 2026, the excitement around this innovation continues to build, signaling a new era of financial inclusion and empowerment in Vietnam.