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Visa Expands into Stablecoin Payments in the U.S.

On December 16, 2025, Visa Inc. announced the initiation of its USDC payment services in the United States, marking an essential milestone in the evolution of its stablecoin payment capabilities. This move represents a significant shift towards modernizing the payment infrastructure that supports global trade.

With this new service, USDC payments are now available for Visa issuers and acquirers, enabling them to utilize Circle's dollar-pegged stablecoin for transactions. This collaboration is termed a pilot program, but it promises to provide the groundwork for stablecoin integration into the mainstream financial ecosystem.

The Benefits of USDC Payments

Visa’s incorporation of USDC into its payment platform will allow for faster fund transfers on the blockchain, enhancing operational resilience. The service operates seven days a week, catering to transactions during weekends and holidays, a significant upgrade from the traditional banking system's five-day operational window. Despite these advancements, everyday users will see no changes in their card payment experience.

The first banks participating in this initiative include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, which are already processing Visa transactions via USDC on the Solana blockchain. Further expansion across the U.S. is expected by the end of 2026.

In addition, Visa is actively involved in the development of a new layer-1 blockchain called Arc, created by Circle. This blockchain, currently in a public testnet phase, is designed specifically to support Visa's on-chain international transactions, ensuring the necessary speed and scalability. After its launch, Visa plans to utilize Arc for conducting USDC payments within its network and intends to operate validator nodes on this new blockchain.

Rubail Birwadker, Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships at Visa, emphasized the importance of expanding stablecoin payments. He mentioned that this expansion addresses demands from banking partners for programmable payment options that integrate smoothly with their existing treasury operations. Through this launch of USDC payments in the U.S., Visa aims to deliver reliable functionality that improves treasury efficiency while maintaining essential security and compliance standards.

Transforming Modern Payment Experiences

The introduction of stablecoin payments in the U.S. further expands upon Visa's existing pilot programs across various regions, including Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, which have been operational for several years. As of November 30, Visa reported stablecoin payment volumes exceeding $3.5 billion annually, a notable achievement since it began offering stablecoin transactions as a major network in 2023.

Visa first tested USDC payments in 2021, reinforcing the vital role of integrating collateralized stablecoins into financial flows by financial institutions. Nikhil Chandhok, Circle's Chief Product Technology Officer, highlighted that the availability of USDC payments via Visa in the U.S. marks a pivotal point in internet-native fund transfers that move at software speed. Financial institutions issuing cards will maintain robust transparency and reliability while innovating their treasury functions and developing new services.

Initial partner banks stress the advantages of faster settlement experiences, facilitated by the use of APIs. Lead Bank, known for its collaboration with leading fintech companies, emphasizes how the need for clear liquidity timing and seven-day payment availability has become increasingly crucial for their customers. Jackie Reses, CEO of Lead Bank, stated, "We are proud to be one of the first in the U.S. to adopt Visa's USDC payment solution, enabling us to execute treasury operations swiftly and accurately while providing cutting-edge financial services to our community."

Cross River Bank, a key infrastructure provider for embedded financial solutions, underscored the importance of true interoperability. Gilles Gade, its founder and CEO, explained that there is a growing need for innovative companies in fintech and cryptocurrency to incorporate stablecoins into their existing product suites. Providing a platform that natively supports both stablecoins and traditional payment networks will form the foundation for future international fund transfers. By being one of the early adopters of Visa's USDC payment service, Cross River Bank exemplifies how deeply integrated banking partnerships can connect blockchain networks with conventional systems at scale.

To support financial institutions in navigating these changes, Visa's Consulting & Analytics Division recently launched a Stablecoin Advisory Practice. This initiative aims to deliver training and strategic guidance concerning market viability and implementation.

For more detailed information on USDC payments, interested parties can visit Visa's official page regarding the service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does Visa's stablecoin pilot program in the U.S. entail?
It allows selected Visa issuers and acquirers to process VisaNet liabilities using USDC, facilitating faster fund transfers on supported blockchains.

Q. What are the advantages of stablecoin payments?
They offer prompt fund transfers on the blockchain, including weekends and holidays, with the predictability associated with a dollar-pegged asset.

Q. Who is the target user base for this service?
This service is aimed at financial institutions, fintech companies, and other entities looking to innovate their payment processes and improve liquidity timing.

Q. When can more partners expect to gain access?
The service is currently being made available to certain partners in the U.S., with widespread rollout planned for the end of 2026.

Visa continues to drive the evolution of electronic payments, connecting blockchain technology with its secure and expansive payment network, reinforcing its mission of fostering economic growth and financial inclusion globally.