Global payments leader Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) has announced a major step forward in digital money movement with a new pilot program allowing businesses and platforms to send payouts directly to recipients’ stablecoin wallets. The pilot, launched during the Web Summit in Lisbon, enables near-instant transfers in USD-backed stablecoins such as USDC, providing a seamless bridge between traditional finance and blockchain-based payments.
Expanding Visa Direct to the blockchain era
With this new initiative, businesses using Visa Direct can now fund their payouts in fiat currency while giving recipients the option to receive funds in stablecoins. This integration is designed to transform the speed and accessibility of global payments. It caters especially to freelancers, digital creators, and marketplace operators who frequently require fast and reliable access to money.
Visa’s President of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions, Chris Newkirk, said the new feature is a move toward broader financial inclusion and faster global distribution of funds.
“Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes – not days – for anyone, anywhere in the world,” Newkirk said. “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.”
According to the Monetized: Visa 2025 Creator Economy Report, fast access to earnings remains a top priority for the digital workforce. The research shows that 57% of content creators prefer digital payment methods primarily for instant access to funds.
Stablecoin payouts: bridging currency gaps
Visa highlighted several benefits that come with stablecoin payouts. These include near-instant cross-border payments that bypass traditional banking hours, a consistent USD-pegged value that offers predictability, and blockchain-backed transparency that ensures every transaction is traceable and auditable.
The company noted that this functionality can be especially useful in underbanked regions or in markets facing high currency volatility, where access to USD bank accounts is limited. By enabling payouts directly in stablecoins, Visa aims to create a borderless and inclusive payments model for participants in the global digital economy.
From pre-funding to recipient wallets
This announcement builds on Visa’s expanding stablecoin initiatives throughout 2025. In September, the company revealed a pre-funding pilot that allowed businesses to use stablecoins to fund Visa Direct payouts rather than relying solely on fiat currency. While that program focused on treasury and backend operations, today's announcement extends the capability to the end recipients, moving stablecoin functionality from business infrastructure directly into user wallets.
According to Visa, the new offering will launch initially with select partners and is expected to reach broader availability in the second half of 2026 as regulatory clarity and client demand increase.
Visa’s growing blockchain footprint
Visa’s latest pilot aligns with its long-term strategy to integrate blockchain technologies into its global payment network. Earlier this year, the company expanded its on-chain settlement platform to include Global Dollar (USDG), PayPal USD (PYUSD), and Euro Coin (EURC) across the Stellar and Avalanche blockchains. These additions enabled near-instant treasury settlements between businesses using stablecoins.
The pilot also comes at a time when major financial institutions and fintech firms are exploring similar applications. Industry peers such as Citigroup, Western Union, and JPMorgan have announced or are developing projects integrating blockchain and stablecoin technologies for cross-border settlements.
Looking ahead
Visa said it is currently onboarding a group of select partners for the pilot stage and encouraging additional clients to express interest in joining as global expansion ramps up. Wider access to the service is planned for 2026, contingent on client readiness and evolving regulatory frameworks.
The company reaffirmed its goal of connecting the world through secure, innovative, and inclusive digital payment systems. As Visa continues to merge the strengths of blockchain infrastructure with its global reach, stablecoin payments are fast becoming a cornerstone of next-generation financial networks.
Gunel Ismayilova
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