Visa Shatters Borders: Global Stablecoin Payout System Goes Live for Instant Cross-Border Transactions
Visa just dropped a blockchain bomb on traditional finance. The payments giant flipped the switch on its global stablecoin settlement system—slashing cross-border payment times from days to seconds.
No more correspondent banking tangles. No more 3am SWIFT confirmations. Just dollar-pegged digital assets moving at internet speed.
The system’s first live corridors connect major financial hubs, with plans to expand into emerging markets hungry for dollar liquidity. Early partners include crypto-native fintechs and—ironically—several legacy banks now racing to stay relevant.
Visa’s play? Capture the $120T+ cross-border payments market before decentralized alternatives eat their lunch. Because nothing says ‘innovation’ like a 65-year-old card network rebranding old rails with blockchain lipstick.
One thing’s certain: when Visa starts playing with stablecoins, the game’s changed. Whether it’s progress or just prettier rent-seeking depends on who’s holding the bag.
Visa introduces stablecoin payouts
At the Web Summit, Visa’s President of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, Chris Newkirk, said the program was designed to make access to money faster and more inclusive.
He stressed how important quick and easy access to money is for anyone, anywhere in the world. The pilot is especially aimed at creators, freelancers, and gig workers who often face delays and currency issues when receiving payments internationally.
Cryptopolitan previously reported Visa’s attempts at integrating blockchain technology into its global payments network. Earlier this year, the company began testing the use of stablecoins for business-to-business settlements.
Visa’s Monetized: 2025 Creator Economy Report found that many digital creators prefer online payment methods because they provide faster access to their earnings. About 57% of respondents said instant access to funds was their top reason for using digital payments.
For many creators working across borders, stablecoins offer a way to receive money instantly and maintain their value despite exchange rate fluctuations or unstable banking systems.
Stablecoins like USDC are linked to the U.S. dollar, meaning their value stays steady even in regions with volatile currencies. This makes them a reliable option for people in developing economies who need quick and stable access to funds.
Full rollout will be delayed until 2026
Visa posted a 14% jump in revenue for its fourth fiscal quarter, reaching $10.72 billion. The company credited this growth to rising consumer spending and higher payment volumes.
The company also introduced a pilot at the SIBOS conference in September that allows businesses to pre-fund payouts using stablecoins. Visa has explained that it plans to expand the stablecoin program gradually, starting with select partners before rolling it out more broadly in the second half of 2026, depending on the regulatory environment.
Transfers made with Visa’s stablecoin payouts will be recorded on the blockchain for transparency and compliance. This ensures each transaction is traceable and secure and reduces the need for intermediaries.
For businesses, it makes payments across borders easier and reduces the need to hold large reserves of money in different regions.
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