Visa launches stablecoin payment pilot, allowing creators to receive USDC payments instantly

In November 2025, global payments giant Visa launched a groundbreaking pilot project allowing U.S. businesses to directly pay creators, freelancers, and gig economy workers with USDC stablecoins via Visa Direct. Recipients need compatible wallets and to meet KYC/AML requirements to enable cross-border transfers in minutes, especially benefiting regions with high currency volatility or limited banking services.

Visa CEO Ryan McInerney revealed that the company has processed over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions, with stablecoin-related card spending quadrupling year-over-year in Q4. This pilot builds on the September upgrade of the stablecoin pre-funding program and is expected to expand in the second half of 2026, marking a new phase in the integration of traditional finance and digital assets.

Visa Stablecoin Payment Pilot Details: Revolutionizing Cross-Border Settlement Efficiency

In November 2025, Visa officially launched a stablecoin payment pilot, supporting businesses in issuing payments directly to end-users using USDC. The solution integrates with Visa Direct’s existing infrastructure, where businesses fund transactions in fiat currency, and recipients can choose to transfer funds instantly into compatible stablecoin wallets. For example, a freelancer in Southeast Asia receiving payments from U.S. clients can see the transfer time reduced from 3-5 days via traditional wire transfer to just a few minutes, with fees reduced by over 70%. Visa’s Head of Business and Funds Flow Solutions, Chris Newkirk, emphasized that this feature aims to achieve “minute-level global fund access,” especially aiding digital creators, cross-border businesses, and gig economy workers.

Industry-wise, Visa’s pilot aligns with the U.S. GENIUS Act’s push for stablecoin regulation. Since its passage early 2025, clearer stablecoin regulations have encouraged traditional financial institutions to explore new use cases. Currently, Visa has partnered with over 130 stablecoin-linked card programs across more than 40 countries, with a monthly settlement volume reaching an annualized $2.5 billion.

Compliance and Technical Support: Building a Secure Stablecoin Payment Network

Visa’s stablecoin pilot strictly adheres to AML and KYC standards. Recipients must use wallets compliant with Visa protocols and undergo identity verification. A company spokesperson noted that privacy-preserving technologies like zero-knowledge proofs may be incorporated in future versions to ensure user data security. For example, unnamed pilot partners have tested reusable digital credentials that verify identity without exposing sensitive information. This design meets regulatory requirements while aligning with decentralization principles, similar to a16z’s advocacy for “decentralized digital identity” solutions.

Technologically, Visa leverages multi-chain settlement capabilities supporting transfers on public blockchains like Ethereum and Solana. Its Tokenized Asset Platform also allows banks to issue custom stablecoins within the pilot environment, laying the groundwork for future expansion into other assets, such as euro-pegged stablecoins.

Key Metrics of Visa’s Stablecoin Business

• Annual Transaction Volume: Over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoins
• Stablecoin Card Projects: 130 issuance plans across 40 countries
• Quarterly Growth: Q4 stablecoin card spending up 400% YoY
• Settlement Scale: Monthly settlement volume surpassing $2.5 billion annually

Visa’s Stablecoin Strategy Overview: Ecosystem from Settlement to Issuance

Visa’s stablecoin strategy began in 2020 and now comprises three pillars: payments, settlement, and issuance. In payments, beyond this pilot, the company launched a stablecoin pre-funding service in September, allowing enterprises to prepay Visa Direct transactions with stablecoins instead of fiat. On the settlement side, Visa’s Tokenized Asset Platform supports banks in issuing their own stablecoins, while partnerships like Stripe’s Bridge streamline stablecoin-linked card issuance. For example, African fintech Yellow Card is exploring treasury management use cases, enabling local businesses to hold USD assets at low cost.

Market analysts believe Visa’s accelerated deployment is driven by the trillion-dollar opportunity in stablecoins. Since the GENIUS Act’s passage, daily stablecoin transaction volume has grown by 45%, and with its global network, Visa could capture up to 10% of the traditional cross-border payments market. While the company has no immediate plans to issue native stablecoins, its ecosystem integration capabilities form a strong competitive moat.

Comparing Adoption Paths of Stablecoins in Traditional Financial Institutions

Visa is not the only traditional financial player exploring stablecoins. JPMorgan’s JPM Coin focuses on B2B enterprise settlements, while PayPal’s PYUSD targets retail payments. Visa’s differentiation lies in: first, integrating directly with existing card networks to lower adoption barriers; second, focusing on high-frequency scenarios like cross-border and gig economy payments; third, rapidly expanding through partnerships rather than bearing issuance risks alone. As a result, Visa’s stablecoin card spending reached $3.5 billion in Q4 2025, far exceeding PayPal’s PYUSD transaction volume of $500 million during the same period.

The Role of Stablecoins in Promoting Financial Inclusion in Emerging Markets

Visa’s pilot highlights stablecoins’ potential to transform emerging markets. In countries like Argentina and Turkey with high inflation, USDC offers a hedge by providing access to USD assets. According to World Bank data, 1.7 billion people worldwide lack formal banking access, and stablecoin payments compatible with mobile wallets could reach about 60% of this population. However, challenges remain: uneven network coverage, regulatory uncertainties, and exchange rate volatility could limit benefits. To expand the pilot, Visa may need to collaborate with local telecom providers or NGOs to develop offline payment solutions.

Conclusion

Visa’s stablecoin payment pilot marks a milestone in the fusion of traditional finance and crypto assets. Its minute-level cross-border settlement capability not only improves efficiency but also redefines the paradigm of fund flows in the digital age. As the pilot expands in 2026, stablecoins could evolve from investment assets into everyday payment tools, further democratizing finance. For the industry, Visa’s success or failure will test the interoperability limits between traditional infrastructure and blockchain, setting a benchmark for subsequent institutional entrants.