Once against all-things crypto, Visa has rapidly changed its position
Visa is taking another step into digital finance with a new stablecoin payout pilot in the United States. The program allows businesses with fiat-funded accounts to send payments directly in USDC, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, to crypto wallets through Visa Direct. The company announced the initiative during the Web Summit in Lisbon, describing it as a move toward faster, more accessible global money transfers.
Through the pilot, US-based companies can now send stablecoin payouts from traditional dollar accounts to workers, freelancers, or users who choose to receive digital currency. Recipients can instantly access their funds in USDC, avoiding traditional banking delays that can stretch over several days. According to Visa’s president of money movement solutions, Chris Newkirk, the goal is to enable universal access to money “in minutes, not days,” supporting the growing demand for instant cross-border payments.
Visa is currently onboarding a limited number of partners before expanding access in 2026. The company said the service is especially suited for international businesses and the gig economy, where fast digital payments are essential. A recent Visa survey found that 57% of gig workers prefer digital methods for faster access to earnings, highlighting a clear opportunity for stablecoin-based solutions.
This pilot builds on Visa’s increasing involvement in blockchain-based settlement. Earlier this year, the company added PayPal USD, Global Dollar, and Euro Coin to its settlement platform, integrating them across Stellar and Avalanche networks. It also began testing instant treasury transfers using USDC and EURC in September.
Visa’s move comes amid a wave of stablecoin development following the US GENIUS Act, which provides federal guidelines for digital dollar assets. Traditional financial players like Citigroup, Western Union, and JPMorgan are also exploring similar systems. With this pilot, Visa aims to merge the speed of crypto transactions with the reliability of fiat-based infrastructure, creating a bridge between old and new payment worlds.
