Visa has taken a major leap into the future of digital finance by launching Visa Direct, a new pilot program enabling cross-border payments in the USDC stablecoin directly to recipients’ digital wallets. The initiative aims to revolutionize how freelancers, gig workers, and content creators receive international payments, providing a faster, cheaper, and borderless solution for the modern digital economy.
With Visa Direct, users can now receive even their fiat-denominated payouts in stablecoins, allowing for near-instant access to earnings without relying on traditional banking infrastructure. This innovation particularly benefits workers in markets with limited banking access or volatile national currencies, where traditional transfers can be slow, costly, or unreliable. According to Visa’s internal research, 57% of surveyed users identified transaction speed as the top reason for choosing digital payment options for content creation and freelance work.
To access this feature, recipients must have a compatible crypto wallet and meet the necessary KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) requirements. The pilot program is currently being rolled out in partnership with selected payment platforms and wallet providers, with broader expansion expected in late 2026, contingent on regulatory clarity and user demand.
This development follows Visa’s earlier September initiative, which allowed companies to pre-fund payments using stablecoins. Together, these steps underscore the company’s strategy to merge traditional finance with blockchain-based settlement tools. The timing aligns with the recent U.S. GENIUS Act, which established clearer regulatory guidelines for USD-backed stablecoins, giving companies like Visa the confidence to innovate responsibly within the crypto payments space.
Visa’s crypto-related operations have seen remarkable growth over the past year. The annual volume of stablecoin-based transactions processed through Visa’s network has exceeded $2.5 billion, while since 2020, the company has facilitated over $140 billion in cryptocurrency and stablecoin flows. Out of that, $100 billion was spent on purchasing digital assets with Visa cards, and $35 billion went toward direct payments for goods and services.
During Q4 alone, spending via stablecoin-linked Visa cards quadrupled compared to the same period last year, reflecting accelerating adoption. Visa currently supports over 130 stablecoin programs across 40 countries, further solidifying its role as a bridge between the traditional financial system and Web3 innovation.
When asked by The Block whether Visa plans to issue its own stablecoin, a company spokesperson replied diplomatically: “In this ecosystem, it’s hard to rule anything out.” For now, however, Visa remains focused on expanding integrations with existing stablecoins, embedding them into its global card, settlement, and banking infrastructure to enhance liquidity and transaction efficiency.
Conclusion:
Visa’s latest move cements its position as a pioneer in digital payment innovation, signaling a future where stablecoins play a central role in global finance. By enabling direct crypto payments for freelancers and creators, the company is reshaping how people move money across borders—faster, safer, and smarter. The fusion of blockchain efficiency with Visa’s global trust network could redefine financial accessibility for millions worldwide.
