New initiative bridges traditional finance with blockchain-based payments for faster global transfers
Visa introduces fiat-to-stablecoin payment pilot
Payments leader Visa has unveiled a US pilot program enabling stablecoin payouts directly to crypto wallets from business accounts funded with fiat currency. Announced at the Web Summit in Lisbon, the pilot leverages Visa Direct, the company’s digital payments network, to let U.S. businesses send USDC stablecoins directly to recipients across the world.
According to Visa’s president of money movement solutions, Chris Newkirk, “Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes, not days, for anyone, anywhere in the world.”
The pilot allows recipients to choose stablecoins instead of traditional bank transfers, addressing a growing demand for instant, borderless digital payments. The service is initially open to select partners, with wider rollout expected in 2026.
Targeting gig economy and cross-border businesses
Visa’s move is aimed at freelancers, global contractors, and gig economy platforms, industries where workers rely heavily on fast, low-cost digital payouts. A recent Visa survey revealed that 57% of gig workers prefer digital payments for quicker access to their earnings.
“For creators and remote professionals, stablecoin payouts eliminate the delays of traditional wire transfers,” said a fintech analyst at a U.S. research firm. “It’s a natural evolution in the digital payments landscape.”
Stablecoins gain ground as regulations take shape
The pilot expands Visa’s ongoing integration of blockchain solutions. Earlier this year, Visa added Global Dollar (USDG), PayPal USD (PYUSD), and Euro Coin (EURC) to its settlement platform across the Stellar and Avalanche blockchains.
This growth comes amid new U.S. legislation under the GENIUS Act, providing federal guidelines for stablecoins — a move expected to accelerate corporate adoption.
Other financial giants, including Citigroup, Western Union, and JPMorgan, are also exploring stablecoin-based settlement systems, reflecting the sector’s rapid institutionalization.
The global stablecoin market now exceeds $300 billion, highlighting the technology’s expanding role in modern finance.
Visa’s stablecoin initiative signals a major step in merging traditional banking infrastructure with digital assets, potentially redefining how businesses and workers move money across borders.
As digital payments evolve, stablecoins are poised to become the bridge between the old and new financial worlds — offering speed, transparency, and universal accessibility.
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