Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has introduced a groundbreaking pilot program that enables direct stablecoin payouts using Circle’s USDC. This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of faster, more accessible, and borderless digital transactions for users worldwide.
Through this new initiative, U.S. businesses using Visa Direct can send payments in traditional fiat currency, while recipients—such as creators, freelancers, and gig workers—receive funds instantly in USDC stablecoins. The approach allows workers to access money within minutes, regardless of their location, bridging a major gap in global financial accessibility.
Empowering Global Workers With Instant Digital Payments
Visa’s stablecoin payout system is designed to provide universal access to digital dollars, especially for individuals in regions where local currencies are unstable or traditional banking access is limited. By converting fiat payouts into USDC, workers can store and spend funds securely in wallets that comply with Visa’s KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) standards.
This pilot builds on Visa’s earlier stablecoin pre-funding test conducted in September, which focused on settlement efficiency. Now, with the direct-to-user model, Visa is taking a major leap toward real-world usability—offering creators and freelancers an instant, reliable, and borderless way to get paid.
Expanding Global Reach and Embracing Digital Finance
Currently available through select partners, Visa plans to expand the stablecoin payout program worldwide by late 2026. The company has already processed more than $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions, highlighting growing demand for digital asset integration within traditional financial systems.
According to Visa CEO Ryan McInerney, stablecoin-linked Visa card spending has quadrupled over the past year, reflecting a strong shift toward digital currency adoption. With this latest initiative, Visa aims to position itself at the forefront of next-generation payment innovation, empowering businesses and individuals to transact seamlessly across borders with speed, security, and transparency.
