Visa has launched a pilot programme that uses stablecoins to fund cross-border payments, a move intended to modernise treasury operations for global businesses. The initiative, running on the company’s Visa Direct platform, aims to make international money movement faster and more cost-effective.
The new service provides businesses with an alternative to using traditional fiat currency for pre-funding international payouts. Instead, companies can send stablecoins to Visa, which treats the digital currency as a pre-funded balance to support payments across its global network.
Addressing Traditional Delays
For decades, cross-border transfers have relied on systems that can be slow and capital-intensive. Businesses often need to hold significant funds in advance in various accounts to manage international payments, tying up capital that could be used elsewhere.
Visa states that using stablecoins can address these issues by improving liquidity and enabling near-instant money movement. The company also suggests that this method can lead to more predictable settlements, as it is less exposed to currency fluctuations, and can lower costs by allowing for more frequent pre-funding without additional expense.
“Cross-border payments have been stuck in outdated systems for far too long,” said Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa. “With this pilot, Visa Direct is laying the groundwork for money to move instantly across the world, giving businesses more choice in how they pay.”
A Strategic Integration
The service is designed for banks, remittance providers, and financial institutions seeking more flexible ways to manage their liquidity for international transactions. The Visa Direct network already connects to more than 11 billion eligible cards, bank accounts, and digital wallets worldwide.
The pilot is currently active with a select group of partners, with a broader expansion planned for 2026. This initiative is part of Visa’s wider strategy to integrate blockchain-based solutions with its established payment infrastructure, creating a system better suited for a digital-first economy.
