Visa has launched a pilot program enabling U.S. businesses to send USDC payouts directly to crypto wallets while funding accounts with traditional fiat currency.
The payments giant announced the initiative at Web Summit in Lisbon on Wednesday, allowing Visa Direct users to convert fiat-funded accounts into stablecoin distributions. Business platforms can now send payouts in USDC to recipients who choose to receive funds in digital assets rather than traditional currency.
Chris Newkirk, president of money movement solutions at Visa, said the program aims to provide universal access to funds within minutes globally. The service targets international businesses and freelance workers who depend on rapid digital payment processing for their operations.
Recipients must maintain compatible stablecoin wallets and complete Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering requirements to receive payments through the system. Visa is currently onboarding select partners with plans to expand access throughout 2026 as demand increases and regulatory frameworks develop further.
The pilot builds on Visa's September initiative that enabled businesses to pre-fund payouts using stablecoins for backend treasury operations. This latest phase allows end recipients to receive payments directly in digital dollars, placing stablecoin assets immediately into their wallets instead of requiring conversion from fiat currency.
Regulatory Landscape and Industry Trends
Visa's expansion follows passage of the GENIUS Act, which established federal guidelines for stablecoins in the United States. The regulatory clarity has prompted major corporations to explore digital asset payment systems, with Citigroup investigating stablecoin payments and Western Union planning a digital asset settlement system on Solana.
Visa's Growing Role in Digital Payments
Since 2020, Visa has processed over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions. The company now operates more than 130 stablecoin-linked card issuing programs across 40 countries, with quarterly spending on these cards quadrupling year-over-year.
CEO Ryan McInerney reported that monthly stablecoin settlement volume has surpassed a $2.5 billion annualized rate. The company added Global Dollar, PayPal USD, and Euro Coin across Stellar and Avalanche blockchains to its settlement platform in July, expanding its blockchain payment infrastructure.
Creator Economy and Digital Payment Preferences
Visa research indicates 57% of gig workers prefer digital payment methods for faster fund access. The creator economy has emerged as an early adopter of these payment technologies, with platforms increasingly supporting instant cross-border transactions for content creators and digital freelancers worldwide.