Visa now supports stablecoin payouts for creators in new ‘breakthrough’ pilot
Visa launched a pilot allowing recipients to receive direct payouts in USDC stablecoin via Visa Direct.Summary
Global payments giant Visa has initiated a new pilot program that supports direct stablecoin payouts, starting with Circle's USDC, enabling near-instant cross-border payments for creators, freelancers, and gig workers. This 'breakthrough' pilot allows businesses in the U.S. using Visa Direct to fund payouts in fiat, while recipients can opt to receive the funds in USDC, offering faster, borderless access to earnings, especially in regions with volatile currencies. This phase expands on a previous September pilot by allowing end recipients, not just businesses for pre-funding, to receive payments directly in stablecoins, provided they have a compatible wallet and meet KYC/AML standards. Visa plans a broader rollout in the second half of 2026, emphasizing that stablecoins are a key part of its strategy for cross-border money movement and emerging markets.
(Source：The Block)