Visa is launching a new pilot program to enable direct, near-instant stablecoin payments to individual creators and freelancers, accelerating its push into digital currency for global money transfers.
This initiative allows businesses and platforms to send U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins, such as USDC, directly to recipients’ digital wallets. The primary goal is to provide stable value and quick access to funds, particularly benefiting those in markets with volatile currencies or limited traditional banking infrastructure.
Chris Newkirk, Visa’s President of Commercial Solutions and Money Movement, emphasized that the program aims for “truly universal access to money in minutes, not days, for anyone, anywhere in the world.”
The new service, unveiled at the Web Summit in Lisbon, represents an evolution from Visa’s previous stablecoin pilot. That earlier program, launched in September, focused on businesses using stablecoins for backend treasury operations. The current initiative shifts the focus to depositing “digital dollars directly into user wallets.”
Initially, the pilot is available to platforms and businesses within the United States. Recipients must possess a compatible stablecoin wallet and adhere to standard Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks.
Visa plans a broader rollout in the second half of 2026, contingent on client demand and the advancement of regulatory frameworks. The move addresses a growing preference among digital creators, with a Visa report indicating that 57% prioritize instant payment options.
Key advantages include bypassing traditional banking delays for cross-border transfers, maintaining a stable value anchored to the U.S. dollar, and ensuring transparent transaction records on the blockchain for easier auditing and compliance. Recipients gain flexibility to hold, spend, or convert their stablecoins, which is especially useful in emerging economies where U.S. dollar bank accounts are scarce.
The service integrates with Visa Direct, an existing network that reaches 195 countries, positioning it as a tool for marketplaces, fintech companies, and gig economy platforms.
This program aligns with the U.S. GENIUS Act, the first federal law establishing clear rules for stablecoins, which analysts view as a potentially trillion-dollar market opportunity.
Visa has intensified its cryptocurrency strategy since 2020, processing over $140 billion in stablecoin flows to date. This figure includes $100 billion in purchases and $35 billion in spending using Visa credentials.
The company currently supports more than 130 digital asset-linked card issuance programs across 40 countries. Stablecoin card spending has quadrupled quarter-over-year, with monthly volumes exceeding $2.5 billion on an annualized basis.
Visa CEO Ryan McInerney has previously highlighted stablecoins as a crucial component of the company’s roadmap for remittances, business-to-business transfers, and gig economy payments, especially in emerging markets. The future expansion of this pilot program will ultimately depend on user interest and adoption.