Key Developments in Stablecoin Payouts
Visa Inc. has initiated a pilot program designed to enable businesses to disburse payments to creators and gig workers utilizing stablecoins, which are digital currencies pegged to the U.S. dollar.
This initiative allows businesses and platforms to send funds directly to recipients' stablecoin wallets. Companies fund these payouts using traditional currency, which Visa then converts into USD-backed stablecoins such as USDC before the funds reach the recipient.
The primary objective of this program is to accelerate payment delivery for creators, freelancers, marketplaces, and gig economy participants, particularly in regions with limited banking infrastructure or volatile local currencies.
Understanding the Stablecoin Payout Program
Visa has been actively exploring stablecoin payment solutions. Previously, in September, the company launched a pilot that permitted businesses to fund payouts with stablecoins instead of conventional currency.
The latest program advances this by facilitating direct payments into recipients’ wallets. This mechanism ensures that digital dollars are delivered promptly to consumers, freelancers, and creators. Transactions under this program are characterized by speed, cross-border capability, and transparency, with each transaction recorded on the blockchain. Recipients retain the flexibility to hold, spend, or convert their stablecoins as they deem fit.
This pilot program is specifically tailored for international businesses, marketplaces, creator and gig economy platforms, fintech companies, and any entity possessing a compatible stablecoin wallet that adheres to Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.
Companies participating in the pilot fund their payouts in standard currency, which Visa then converts into stablecoins. The program is currently operating with a select group of partners, with plans to broaden accessibility in 2026.
Enhancing Financial Accessibility
Chris Newkirk, President of Visa’s Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, highlighted that the pilot aims to provide access to funds within minutes rather than days. He stated, "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 underscores the significance of this initiative. The report indicates that approximately 57% of digital content creators identify instant access to funds as their primary preference for digital payment methods. Expedited payouts empower creators to manage their earnings more effectively without the delays associated with traditional banking systems.
Broadening the Reach of Stablecoins
Since 2020, Visa has facilitated over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions, encompassing purchases and expenditures made using Visa credentials.
The company currently supports more than 130 stablecoin-linked card programs across over 40 countries. This expansion is accompanied by rising spending volumes and increasing support for a wider array of blockchains and stablecoins, with monthly volumes reaching an annualized rate exceeding $2.5 billion.
Visa is actively pursuing partnerships and pilot programs to enhance the practicality of stablecoins. These efforts include collaborations with African payment firm Yellow Card, as well as joint initiatives with developers, fintechs, and local platforms throughout the CEMEA region.
In September, Visa expanded its stablecoin support by integrating two new dollar-backed stablecoins: PayPal USD (PYUSD) and Global Dollar (USDG). The company also intends to support four additional stablecoins on different blockchains.
Furthermore, Visa is supporting products such as Fold’s Bitcoin credit card. This card operates on the Visa network, enabling users to automatically earn Bitcoin rewards on their everyday purchases. These strategic steps demonstrate Visa's commitment to building the necessary infrastructure to make digital currencies a viable option for daily transactions and international money transfers.