Visa is taking the next step in digital payments with a pilot program allowing US businesses to send stablecoin payments directly to crypto wallets. Announced at the Web Summit in Lisbon, the initiative links traditional bank accounts and blockchain-based transfers, with the aim of accelerating cross-border payments and supporting the growth of the freelance economy.
In brief
- Visa's new pilot program allows US businesses to send stablecoin payments from traditional bank accounts to compatible crypto wallets.
- Workers can receive their funds in fiat currency or stablecoins, benefiting from faster access to their earnings and greater flexibility for international transactions.
- Transfers are completed in minutes, offering gig platforms and freelancers a faster alternative to traditional cross-border payment systems.
- Wider deployment is planned by 2026, with Visa continuing to expand its blockchain integrations in the face of growing institutional adoption of stablecoins.
Visa Pilot Offers Near-Instant USDC Payments to US Businesses
Payments for the pilot program go through Visa Direct, the company's digital network. Companies with US dollar accounts can send USD-pegged stablecoins, such as USD Coin (USDC). Beneficiaries can choose to receive their funds directly in stablecoins via compatible crypto wallets.
Chris Newkirk, president of money movement solutions at Visa, explains that the priority is to ensure rapid access and universal to financial services. He said faster payments are a major benefit for workers and small businesses who need immediate settlements.
Launching stablecoin payments means providing truly universal access to money, in minutes, not days, for anyone, anywhere in the world.
Chris Newkirk
Visa is already working with its first partners and preparing for expanded access by 2026, targeting international businesses and gig platforms that process large volumes of microtransactions.
Gig platforms to benefit from faster digital payments thanks to stablecoin driver
Visa's internal research shows that 58% of self-employed workers prefer digital payments to access their income faster — a result that supports the company's ambition to strengthen its payments infrastructure.
The pilot program introduces several features intended to streamline international payments:
- Direct fiat → stablecoin transfers: sending payments directly from bank accounts to stablecoin wallets, without intermediaries.
- Choice for beneficiaries: receipt of funds in stablecoins or dollars.
- Expedited settlements: transfers in minutes instead of days.
- Focus on freelancers: designed for industries that require fast payments.
- Gradual deployment: tests with partners before a full launch in 2026.
This new initiative is part of Visa's broader strategy around blockchain-based payments. In July, the company added new stablecoins, including Global Dollar (USDG), PayPal USD (PYUSD), and Euro Coin (EURC), to its settlement platform, on the Stellar and Avalanche networks. Two months later, Visa Direct began testing instant transfers in USDC and EURC to speed up cash operations.
These advances come in a context where the United States is gradually clarifying its regulatory framework via the GENIUS Actfederal legislation dedicated to stablecoins. As supervision strengthens, major players, including Citigroup, Western Union and several Wall Street banks, are also launching their initiatives around stablecoins, making digital settlement a strategic priority in global finance.
The latest analyzes of BNY reinforce this trend, revealing growing institutional adoption of stablecoins for decentralized transfers. The bank observes that more and more companies are using stablecoins to optimize their cash management and accelerate high-value transactions. BNY estimates total trading volume could reach $1.5 trillion by 2030as adoption becomes more widespread in the financial sector.
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