TL;DR
- Visa launched a U.S. pilot that allows companies to send stablecoin payments from dollar accounts directly to crypto wallets, replacing traditional rails with blockchain infrastructure.
- The program targets creators, freelancers, and gig economy workers; companies fund payments in fiat while Visa converts them into stablecoins.
- The pilot will expand in 2026, supported by the GENIUS Act, which defines federal rules for stablecoins.
Visa has launched a pilot in the United States that allows companies to send stablecoin payments directly to crypto wallets using funds from dollar accounts. The system aims to replace traditional payment rails with blockchain infrastructure to enable faster transfers.
The program is designed for creators, freelancers, and gig economy workers—sectors that rely on quick payouts and often operate across borders. Participating companies can fund their payments in fiat, while Visa automatically converts those funds into stablecoins such as USDC and deposits them into recipients’ wallets. Users can hold the assets, spend them, or convert them to local currency.
According to Chris Newkirk, Visa’s President of Money Movement Solutions, the goal is to “provide universal and instant access to money, for anyone, anywhere.” The company explained that this system removes intermediaries, shortens settlement times, and offers an efficient alternative to bank or ACH transfers, which can take several days.
Visa to Expand Its Pilot and Add More Companies in 2026
The pilot was developed in collaboration with selected partners and is expected to expand to more participants in 2026. Visa is targeting companies with international operations and digital platforms that frequently process dollar-based payments. A company survey showed that 57% of gig economy workers prefer digital payments because they provide faster access to funds.
In July, the company integrated stablecoins such as Global Dollar (USDG), PayPal USD (PYUSD), and Euro Coin (EURC) into its operations on Stellar and Avalanche. In September, it began testing instant transfers using USDC and EURC for corporate settlements.
The project stems from regulatory changes in the United States, where a clearer framework for stablecoins was established following the approval of the GENIUS Act, which sets federal guidelines for their issuance and use. Visa thus joins a wave of traditional institutions adopting such systems, alongside Citigroup, Western Union, JPMorgan, and Bank of America, all at different stages of developing their own stablecoin-based solutions
