cryptodnes.bg
Visa is accelerating its shift toward blockchain-powered finance with a pilot that lets people receive payments in USDC, signaling how stablecoins are quietly merging with global payment infrastructure.
The new feature enables U.S. businesses using Visa Direct to send regular dollar payments that recipients can instantly convert into USD Coin. The program, aimed at creators, freelancers, and cross-border contractors, promises near-instant transfers and cheaper access to earnings compared to traditional banking systems that often take days to settle.
Visa executives described the initiative as a major step toward “universal money movement,” especially for users in regions with limited banking access or unstable local currencies. The pilot follows earlier internal trials that tested stablecoin funding for corporate disbursements but now expands that capability to end users directly.
Initially, payouts will be available only in USDC, and recipients will need approved digital wallets and KYC verification to participate. A wider rollout is planned for 2026, once regulatory clarity improves and demand from clients grows.
Building a Stablecoin Empire
Visa’s move comes amid a broader effort to position itself at the heart of blockchain-based payments. Since 2020, the company has processed over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions, and now counts 130+ stablecoin-linked card programs across 40 countries.
Stablecoins have become a key pillar in Visa’s strategy for remittances and business-to-business transfers – sectors it sees as ripe for modernization. Recent partnerships with Bridge (a Stripe subsidiary) and Yellow Card in Africa aim to expand settlement and treasury use cases for stablecoins.
CEO Ryan McInerney recently said stablecoin-linked Visa spending has quadrupled year-over-year, underscoring growing institutional and consumer adoption. When asked whether Visa might issue its own stablecoin, a company spokesperson said the firm is “keeping options open,” but emphasized that the current focus is on scaling integrations with existing issuers and banks.
By turning stablecoins into a mainstream payment option, Visa is no longer just experimenting with crypto – it’s redefining how global money moves.