Visa Taps Circle’s USDC & EURC for Faster Payments

• •
  Visa launches a pilot with Circle’s USDC and EURC.
• •
  Cross-border payments to become faster and more efficient.
• •
  The move highlights growing crypto adoption in payments.

In a significant step toward modernizing financial infrastructure, Visa has announced a new pilot program using Circle’s stablecoins—USDC and EURC—to improve cross-border payments. The goal? To make international transactions faster, cheaper, and more flexible for businesses and individuals alike.

This partnership reflects a growing interest among traditional financial institutions in blockchain-based solutions. By integrating USDC (pegged to the US dollar) and EURC (pegged to the euro), Visa aims to bypass the delays and inefficiencies often associated with conventional SWIFT payments.

Circle’s stablecoins run on blockchain networks and maintain price stability by being backed 1:1 by their respective fiat currencies. That stability, combined with real-time settlement capabilities, makes them ideal tools for international money movement.

How It Works and Why It Matters

Visa’s pilot project involves sending and settling transactions with Circle’s stablecoins across blockchain networks. These digital assets are transferred almost instantly, and the conversion back to local currencies happens at the endpoints—helping businesses avoid the friction of traditional banking rails.

For example, a business in Europe can send EURC to a partner in the U.S., who can then convert it into USDC or dollars without waiting days for wire transfers to clear. This drastically reduces settlement times and FX costs.

This pilot isn’t Visa’s first move in crypto. The payments giant previously allowed USDC settlements on Ethereum and has been steadily increasing its involvement in the digital asset space. But this collaboration with Circle marks a deepening of that commitment—using two stablecoins across different currencies and regions.

A Glimpse Into the Future of Payments

Visa’s move is part of a broader trend where financial giants are embracing crypto as a tool—not just a speculative asset. By choosing stablecoins like USDC and EURC, Visa highlights a key use case for digital currencies: efficient, transparent, and reliable cross-border payments.

As the pilot progresses, it could set the stage for broader adoption of blockchain-based settlements across the financial industry. The combination of Visa’s global network and Circle’s stablecoin infrastructure could redefine how money moves around the world.