The global payment service provider has launched a pilot program for stablecoin payouts. It allows U.S. businesses to pay in fiat currency, while recipients can choose to receive their money directly in USD-backed stablecoins in their crypto wallets.
The pilot program was unveiled this week at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, with USDC as the chosen stablecoin.
The initiative is being tested through Visa Direct, the company’s global payout network. Instead of sending funds to a traditional bank account, Visa now enables businesses to transfer payments directly to a compatible stablecoin wallet. Recipients also pass all know-your-customer (KYC) and anti-money-laundering (AML) verification checks.
“Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes—not days,” said Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa.
The company says that its goal is to make money move as fast as a message—borderless, instant, and accessible to everyone.
Visa stated that the initiative targets the growing freelance and creator economy, particularly in local communities where USD bank accounts are not readily available.
According to research conducted by the company, documented in its Monetized: Visa 2025 Creator Economy Report, it revealed that 57% of digital creators prefer digital payment methods, as they grant instant access to funds.
“Whether it’s a creator building a digital brand, a business reaching new global markets, or a freelancer working across borders, everyone benefits from faster, more flexible money movement.”
Currently, Visa is working with a small circle of partners before expanding the service to a wider audience in 2026. Results from early trials are already showing high demand among companies operating across borders.
The expansion would also be based on the pilot program performance, regulatory outlook, and market conditions.
The regulatory environment is considered more favorable now, especially after the passage of the landmark U.S. Genius Act, which establishes clearer guidelines for stablecoins.
Visa’s initiative, therefore, is very timely, as it will benefit from a more comprehensive regulatory framework.
VISA Steps into Blockchain Finance
Since 2020, Visa has processed over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions.
Earlier in the year, the company partnered with Bridge, a stablecoin infrastructure provider, which allows developers building on Bridge to use stablecoin-linked cards at any merchants that accept Visa.
According to Visa CEO Ryan McInerney, during a fourth-quarter earnings call in October, Visa currently has more than 130 stablecoin-linked cards issued in over 40 countries.
In July, the company expanded its payment settlement options, adding digital currencies such as Global Dollar (USDG), PayPal USD (PYUSD), and Euro Coin (EURC) across both Stellar and Avalanche blockchain ecosystems.
Later in September, Visa ran a pre-funding pilot program targeting banks and financial institutions to unlock idle working capital in traditional funding structures, improving treasury operations. It was to be integrated into Visa Direct, using Circle’s USD Coin and Euro Coin (EURC) as pre-funded assets.
The recent announcement builds on existing initiatives but with an additional focus on addressing individuals’ issues, particularly in emerging economies and limited banking opportunities.
Stablecoins: The Backbone of the Global Finance Ecosystem
Visa’s decision to expand into stablecoin operations mirrors a broader trend of traditional finance institutions’ gradual adoption of digital currencies. Last month, Western Union announced its plans to launch its stablecoin, WUUSD, on the Solana blockchain.
As one of the leading global payment processors, this initiative serves as a precedent, accelerating similar moves by other major financial service providers and validating the key role of digital currencies in facilitating instant settlements and cross-border payments.
It also further highlights that a hybrid approach, a combination of traditional and digital financial approaches, is not only possible but also beneficial to the global financial economy.
By combining the long-standing traditional financial infrastructure with the speed and cost-efficiency of digital assets, payment providers like Visa can promote greater financial inclusion across the globe.
