Visa has taken a fundamental step into blockchain-based finance. The company revealed a new pilot program this Wednesday. It allows direct payouts using Circle’s USDC stablecoin. The initiative, announced at the Web Summit in Lisbon, is designed for freelancers, creators, and gig workers globally. The goal is to facilitate cross-border payments with stablecoins almost instantly.
The mechanism operates through the Visa Direct platform. Businesses in the United States can fund their payouts in traditional fiat currency. Recipients anywhere in the world have the option to receive their earnings in USDC. To participate, recipients must possess a compatible stablecoin wallet. They must also comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks. Chris Newkirk, Visa’s President of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions, emphasized the goal. He said “launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes, not days.”
This pilot program strategically focuses on emerging markets. In these regions, limited access to traditional banking and high local currency volatility are significant barriers. Visa aims to offer a solution that gives users faster, more stable access to their funds. The system, by recording every payout on-chain, also introduces greater transparency and auditability compared to legacy payment systems. This move responds to clear market demand. Visa’s 2025 Creator Economy Report revealed a key fact: 57% of digital creators ranked “instant access to funds” as their top priority.
Are stablecoins redefining global financial access?
Visa’s expansion into digital assets has accelerated notably in 2025. This pilot is not an isolated event. It builds on a previous trial, launched in September, that allowed businesses to pre-fund payouts using stablecoins. Both initiatives together expand Visa’s reach in money movement powered by this technology. Since 2020, the company has processed an impressive $140 billion in transactions related to crypto and stablecoins. Furthermore, Visa recently launched its Tokenized Asset Platform, helping banks pilot stablecoin issuance and settlement.
The payments giant is not alone in this innovation. Western Union has also announced its entry into the market. They plan to launch the US Dollar Payment Token (USDPT) on the Solana network. This launch is scheduled for the first half of 2026. That token will be issued by Anchorage Digital Bank. Devin McGranahan, CEO of Western Union, described the move as a continuation of their 175-year mission to simplify money transfers. Both strategies confirm a clear industry trend: traditional financial giants are actively adopting cross-border payments with stablecoins to improve speed and reduce friction in global remittances.
