Visa Launches US Pilot for Stablecoin Payouts

Visa Embraces Stablecoins for Faster, More Universal Payouts

Payments giant Visa has announced the launch of a pilot program in the United States, enabling businesses to send US dollar-pegged stablecoin payouts from accounts funded with fiat currency, such as US dollars. The pilot was unveiled at the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal.

The program allows users of Visa's digital payments network, Visa Direct, to send stablecoins like USDC directly to crypto wallets. According to Visa, recipients can choose to receive their funds in stablecoins, and US-based platforms and businesses can send payouts from their fiat-funded accounts “directly to users’, workers’, or employees’ stablecoin wallets.”

Chris Newkirk, Visa’s president of money movement solutions, stated, “Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes, not days, for anyone, anywhere in the world.”

Gradual Rollout and Focus on Global Businesses

Visa reports it is in the process of onboarding “select partners,” with wider access to the service planned for 2026. The initial focus is on businesses operating internationally and those in the freelance or gig economy, where fast digital payments are often crucial. Visa's research indicates that 57% of gig workers prefer digital payment methods for quicker access to funds.

Visa Expands Stablecoin Push Amid US Regulatory Clarity

This latest move by Visa builds upon its growing commitment to blockchain-based settlement and payments. In July, Visa expanded its stablecoin offerings on its settlement platform by incorporating Global Dollar (USDG), PayPal USD (PYUSD), and Euro Coin (EURC) across the Stellar and Avalanche blockchains.

Furthermore, in September, Visa Direct initiated a pilot for instant transfers using USDC and EURC, facilitating faster treasury settlement between businesses. Visa's expansion aligns with the payment industry's move to capitalize on the newfound regulatory clarity in the United States following the passage of the GENIUS Act, a landmark bill establishing federal guidelines for stablecoins.

Major Institutions Enter the Fray

An increasing number of corporations are venturing into the stablecoin space. Citigroup is exploring stablecoin payments, and Western Union is planning to launch a digital asset settlement system on Solana. Concurrently, Wall Street banks like JPMorgan and Bank of America are in the preliminary stages of developing their own stablecoin initiatives.

Stablecoin startups are also attracting significant venture capital, with recent funding rounds supporting companies active in the stablecoin ecosystem, including Telcoin, Hercle, and Arx Research.