Visa Disrupts Finance Again: Live Stablecoin Payouts Now in Pilot Phase
Visa just flipped the script on cross-border payments—again. The payments giant is now testing direct stablecoin payouts, cutting out correspondent banks and their 3-day settlement delays. No more waiting for funds to 'clear' while banks collect float revenue.
How it works: Visa's blockchain rails now convert fiat to USDC (or other approved stablecoins) at point of origin, shooting funds to recipients in seconds. Recipients can cash out via Visa cards, exchanges, or—if they're smart—hold as dollar-pegged crypto.
The catch? Banks won't surrender their FX gravy train without a fight. Watch for 'compliance concerns' to emerge as legacy players scramble to protect their 5% margins on international transfers.
Bottom line: When Visa moves, finance trembles. This pilot could be the kill shot for correspondent banking—or another 'innovation theater' play to appease crypto-savvy clients. Either way, the stablecoin dominoes are falling.
How the program works
Visa has been experimenting with stablecoin payments for some time. In September, it launched a pilot that allowed businesses to fund payouts with stablecoins instead of traditional currency.
The new program takes it further by sending payments directly to recipients’ wallets. This puts digital dollars straight into the hands of consumers, freelancers, and creators. Under this program, payments are fast, cross-border, and transparent. Each transaction is recorded on the blockchain. Recipients can hold, spend, or convert their stablecoins as needed.
The pilot is aimed at international businesses, marketplaces, creator, and gig economy platforms, fintechs, and anyone with a compatible stablecoin wallet who meets KYC and AML requirements.
Companies fund payouts in regular currency, which Visa converts to stablecoins. The pilot currently works with select partners, with broader access expected in 2026.
Making money more accessible
Chris Newkirk, President of Visa’s Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, said the pilot aims to make money accessible in minutes, not days. He added, “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.”
Research from Monetized’s 2025 Creator Report shows why this is important. About 57% of digital content creators said instant access to funds is the main reason they prefer digital payments. Faster payouts help creators manage earnings efficiently without waiting for banks.
Expanding stablecoin reach
Since 2020, Visa has processed more than $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions, including purchases and spending using Visa credentials.
It now supports 130+ stablecoin-linked card programs in 40+ countries, with rising spending and growing support for more blockchains and stablecoins. Monthly volumes have topped a $2.5 billion annualized rate.
The company is exploring partnerships and pilot programs to make stablecoins more practical. This includes partnerships with African payment firm Yellow Card, as well as collaborations with developers, fintechs, and local platforms across CEMEA.
In September, the company added support for two new dollar-backed stablecoins, PayPal USD (PYUSD) and Global Dollar (USDG), and plans to support four more on different blockchains.
Visa is also supporting products like Fold’s Bitcoin credit card, which operates on its network and lets users earn Bitcoin rewards automatically on everyday purchases. These steps show that Visa is building infrastructure to make digital currencies practical for everyday use and cross-border money transfers.
