Visa has deepened its involvement in blockchain finance with a new pilot initiative that allows funds to be paid out directly using Circle’s USDC stablecoin.
The initiative, announced at the Web Summit in Lisbon, aims to help freelancers and digital creators receive earnings faster and more securely, without depending on slow, traditional banking systems.
Faster, More Accessible Payments Across Borders
Through the pilot, U.S. businesses using Visa Direct can now initiate payouts in fiat currency. Meanwhile, recipients have the option to receive their earnings in USDC.
According to Chris Newkirk, Visa’s President of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions, the project seeks to make “access to money universal and available in minutes, not days.”
In particular, Visa says the system could benefit users in emerging markets. In these regions, currency volatility and limited banking infrastructure often create barriers to timely payments.
Compliance and Secure Access
To ensure safety and compliance, participants in the program must hold a wallet that is compatible with stablecoins. In addition, they must complete the standard KYC and anti-money-laundering (AML) procedures.
At this stage, the pilot supports only USDC, but Visa plans to expand its reach in the second half of 2026, subject to evolving regulations and partner readiness.
Building on Earlier Stablecoin Experiments
Notably, this pilot follows Visa’s September 2025 program, which allowed businesses to pre-fund stablecoin payouts. Together, both initiatives are part of Visa’s broader effort to test how blockchain infrastructure can support global money movement.
Furthermore, every payout under the new system will be recorded on-chain, allowing greater auditability and regulatory transparency. Visa says this structure effectively combines the efficiency of blockchain with the trust of regulated finance.
Visa’s Growing Footprint in Digital Assets
Indeed, Visa’s focus on digital currencies has accelerated in 2025. Over the past five years, the company has facilitated over $140 billion in cryptocurrency and stablecoin transactions, reflecting the growing acceptance of blockchain technologies in everyday payments.
Recently, Visa collaborated with Bridge, a company owned by Stripe, to offer Visa cards linked to stablecoins. Additionally, the company introduced the Visa Tokenized Asset Platform, an initiative to support financial institutions in exploring stablecoin-based payment and settlement systems.
Overall, these moves underscore Visa’s efforts to integrate digital assets into the global payments infrastructure.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
