Visa Expands Stablecoin Network Across Four Blockchains and Launches USDC Payroll Pilot

Visa is significantly deepening its integration into the digital currency ecosystem with two major announcements. First, the global payments leader has expanded its stablecoin support across four new blockchains, marking a substantial expansion of its crypto infrastructure. CEO Ryan McInerney confirmed the rollout during the company's Q4 and year-end earnings call, highlighting that Visa now supports four stablecoins across four distinct networks, representing two major fiat currencies convertible into over 25 traditional currencies worldwide.

The move is driven by surging demand for blockchain-based settlements from banks and financial institutions. Visa's stablecoin-linked card spending has seen dramatic growth, with a fourfold increase in global consumer transactions in the last quarter compared to the same period in 2023. The company's monthly stablecoin volume now exceeds an annualized run rate of $2.5 billion, and since 2020, Visa has facilitated over $140 billion in combined crypto and stablecoin transaction flows.

Visa currently supports major stablecoins including Circle's USD Coin (USDC) and Euro Coin (EURC), PayPal USD (PYUSD), and Global Dollar (USDG) across networks such as Ethereum, Solana, Stellar, and Avalanche. The company's next growth phase focuses on embedding stablecoin functionality directly into banking systems. Through its Visa Direct platform, a pilot program launched in late September allows financial institutions to pre-fund cross-border transfers using USDC and EURC. Furthermore, Visa's tokenized asset platform enables banks to mint and burn their own stablecoins, aiming to streamline cross-border settlements.

In a separate but related initiative, Visa has launched a new stablecoin payout pilot in the United States. Announced at the Web Summit in Lisbon, this program allows US-based businesses to send stablecoin payouts from fiat-funded accounts directly to recipients' crypto wallets, with USD Coin (USDC) at its center. The function compresses payment timelines from multiple days to minutes and targets business-to-worker transactions like salaries and freelance payments.

While initially limited to select US partners, a full-scale rollout is expected in 2026. Visa's internal data shows that 57% of gig workers favor digital payments for their immediacy, which this initiative addresses. This pilot builds on Visa's previous stablecoin expansions, including support for USDG, PYUSD, and EURC across Stellar and Avalanche in July, and real-time treasury transfer tests in September.

The timing aligns with increased regulatory clarity, notably the recent passage of the GENIUS Act in the United States, which provides a federal framework for stablecoins. Visa's moves come amidst growing competition, with Citigroup, Western Union (planning a Solana-based mechanism), JPMorgan, and Bank of America all developing their own stablecoin initiatives. Venture capital is also flowing into infrastructure firms like Telcoin, Hercle, and Arx Research.

Visa's roadmap indicates these are strategic steps toward normalizing stablecoins for real-world economic coordination, positioning digital wallets as parallel conduits to traditional bank accounts within mainstream payment systems.