I think that the reason for the new rules is personal data protection. This is very strict in EU and the new directive is to be implemented soon so this is probably some precausion measure. But I thinK that Visa nad Msste will suffer loses not to be present with bitcoin debit cards outside EU because more and more users are intresetd in it and to my opinon this is the future, this is very convenient wa to spend bitcoins everywhere. Maybe also bitcoin credit cards will appear some day.
VISA launched their Blockchain business some days ago, this explains a lot
https://www.coindesk.com/visa-launches-first-phase-of-blockchain-b2b-payments-system/
I do not think it does. The blockchain technology-- the general business communications term, not in the Bitcoin-specific context-- has been around since before Bitcoin itself. Businesses use blockchain information handling all the time, especially when it comes to logistics and reconciliation of data between different business entities. This general use is what Visa is getting more businesses to adopt on top of their platform. This allows businesses to trade with each other on top of their platform but without having to connect with them. Imagine, as a parallel, Bitcoin transactions being verified offline without being actually put on the chain yet. This does not really conflict with Bitcoin; the main reason really is the lack of customer/personal data held by the issuers of these cards, since they do not attempt to verify any of the information provided by the customers for the lower tier limits that the accounts begin with by default.