In September, Visa (NYSE: V) unveiled its stablecoin pre-funding pilot at SIBOS 2025, introducing a faster and more flexible model for cross-border payments for businesses through Visa Direct.
Months later, at Web Summit in Lisbon, Visa just took another step in its broader push to merge blockchain technology with its global payments network.
On Nov. 12, 2025, Visa unveiled a new Visa Direct pilot designed to deliver near-instant payouts in USD-backed stablecoins such as USD Coin (USDC).
Stablecoins are digital assets pegged to stable reserves, such as the US dollar, to minimize price volatility.
Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) that fluctuate widely, stablecoins maintain a 1:1 value ratio with their underlying asset, making them ideal for payments, remittances, and trading. Common types include fiat-backed (e.g., USD Coin (USDC), Tether (USDT)) and crypto- or algorithmic-backed stablecoins.
The Visa Direct pilot allows businesses to fund Visa Direct payouts in fiat currency while recipients, including creators, gig workers, and freelancers, can opt to receive their earnings directly into stablecoin wallets.
The wider rollout for the plan is expected to be in 2026.
This process cuts settlement times from days to minutes, offering new flexibility for cross-border payments and access to funds.
“Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes, not days. for anyone, anywhere in the world,” said Chris Newkirk, Visa’s president of commercial and money movement solutions.
Visa Stablecoin payout highlights:
Speed: Near-instant settlement for global payouts in USDC.
Accessibility: Ideal for underbanked markets where USD accounts are scarce.
Transparency: All transactions are recorded on the blockchain for compliance and auditability.
Expansion: Select partners onboarded now, with wider rollout expected in 2026.
Visa confirmed that funding for the pilot will remain in fiat currency, maintaining existing compliance and treasury frameworks. The stablecoin conversion happens only at the point of payout.
As regulatory clarity for stablecoins improves globally, Visa’s move positions it at the forefront of blockchain-powered payments — bridging traditional finance and Web3 economies.
Related: Visa Jumps Into NFTs With CryptoPunk Purchase
Visa has steadily positioned itself as a bridge between traditional finance and digital assets.
