Bitget, the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has rolled out its new Scan to Pay feature within Bitget Pay, allowing users to spend Tether directly at offline merchants by scanning QR codes through the Bitget app.
The feature is initially live in selected markets across Southeast Asia and Latin America, regions where QR-based payments are widely adopted but access to traditional banking infrastructure remains uneven.
By integrating with existing local payment networks, Scan to Pay enables transactions without requiring merchants to upgrade systems or rely on bank intermediaries.
Bridging crypto and everyday payments
Users can complete transactions by setting a payment PIN, scanning a merchant QR code, and paying instantly, with USDT converted and settled in the background.
The experience mirrors familiar mobile payment flows while removing the need for manual off-ramping, bank transfers, or currency conversions.
The launch comes as crypto adoption expands beyond trading into real-world use cases, particularly in emerging markets where stablecoins are increasingly used as accessible financial tools.
For users, the feature turns stablecoins into practical spending assets. For merchants, it allows seamless acceptance without exposure to crypto volatility. For cross-border users and travelers, it provides a consistent payment method independent of local banking systems.
The rollout reflects a broader shift in how digital assets are used, with stablecoins evolving from trading instruments into payment infrastructure.
"QR code payments have a strong real life usage with over 2.2 billion people using it globally. There's no reason why crypto shouldn't be a part of it. It naturally fits into how people live, and spend," said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget.
Within Bitget’s Universal Exchange model, Scan to Pay extends crypto functionality into everyday commerce, narrowing the gap between holding digital assets and using them as money.
Dan Burgin
U.Today Editorial Team
