Payments giant Visa has announced a new pilot program in the U.S. that enables businesses to send US dollar-pegged stablecoin payouts, like USDC, directly from their fiat-funded accounts.
The pilot, announced at the Web Summit in Lisbon, integrates stablecoin functionality into Visa Direct, its digital payments network.
Key Details of the Pilot:
- Functionality: U.S.-based businesses can fund their accounts with fiat currency (e.g., US dollars) and then send payouts in stablecoins directly to users’, workers’, or employees’ crypto wallets.
- Recipient Choice: Recipients have the option to choose to receive their funds in stablecoins.
- Target Users: The initial focus is on businesses that operate internationally and those in the freelance/gig economy, sectors that prioritize fast digital payments. Visa research shows 57% of gig workers prefer digital payments for quicker access to funds.
- Wider Rollout: Visa is currently onboarding select partners, with wider access expected to roll out in 2026.
Expanding the Stablecoin Commitment:
This initiative builds on Visa’s increasing adoption of blockchain technology for settlement and payments, following earlier expansions in July to include stablecoins like USDG, PYUSD, and EURC on the Stellar and Avalanche blockchains.
Context of Regulatory Clarity:
Visa’s expansion aligns with growing movement and regulatory clarity in the U.S. following the passage of the GENIUS Act, a landmark bill establishing federal guidelines for stablecoins. Other major corporations like Citigroup, Western Union, JPMorgan, and Bank of America are also exploring or developing their own stablecoin initiatives as the global stablecoin market surpasses $300 billion.
November 2025, Cryptoniteuae
