Visa to Start Supporting Stablecoins on Four Blockchains

Payment giant Visa continues its digital asset expansion by announcing support for four stablecoins across multiple blockchain networks. CEO Ryan McInerney revealed during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call that Visa will support four stablecoins on four unique blockchains, representing two currencies convertible to over 25 traditional fiat currencies. This strategic move reinforces Visa’s commitment to bridging traditional finance and blockchain-based payment systems.

Visa Stablecoin Infrastructure Grows Stronger

Visa currently supports Circle’s USDC and Euro Coin, along with PayPal USD and Global Dollar on Ethereum, Solana, Stellar, and Avalanche blockchains. The payment processor has built a robust infrastructure to accommodate multiple coins and chains. Visa has begun enabling settlement in EURC for select pilot partners, marking the first time the network offers euro-denominated stablecoin settlement.

Stablecoin-linked Visa card spending quadrupled in the fourth quarter compared to a year ago. Visa now operates over 130 stablecoin-linked card issuing programs in over 40 countries. Monthly settlement volume has surpassed a $2.5 billion annualized run rate, demonstrating strong market adoption and growing merchant acceptance.

Stablecoin Settlement Capabilities Expand Rapidly

Since 2020, Visa has facilitated over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin flows, including more than $100 billion in cryptocurrency purchases using Visa credentials. A Visa Direct pilot program launched in late September enables banks and financial institutions to pre-fund cross-border payments using USDC and EURC. The program addresses key pain points in international money transfers through blockchain rails.

Visa’s partnership with Paxos allows settlement in both USDG and PYUSD. The company continues working with Circle to support USDC and has extended this collaboration to include EURC. These partnerships enable Visa to offer comprehensive stablecoin settlement options for issuers and acquirers seeking faster, more flexible liquidity management solutions.

Banks Gain Stablecoin Minting Powers Through Visa

Visa has started enabling banks to mint and burn their own stablecoins through the Visa tokenized asset platform. This capability represents a significant shift in how traditional financial institutions can participate in digital asset markets. Banks can now create and manage stablecoins while leveraging Visa’s established payment infrastructure and regulatory compliance frameworks.

The tokenized asset platform enhances cross-border money movement through Visa Direct. CEO McInerney emphasized opportunities across remittances, B2B payments, and gig economy payouts. A significant portion of Visa’s product roadmap targets capturing cross-border money movement through stablecoin integration, particularly in emerging markets where traditional banking infrastructure remains limited.

Cross-Border Payments Drive Stablecoin Adoption

McInerney noted that areas with product-market fit for stablecoins are largely where Visa is underpenetrated, particularly in emerging markets and cross-border money movement. Stablecoins offer clear advantages for international transactions by reducing settlement times from days to minutes. Transaction costs decrease significantly compared to traditional wire transfers and currency conversion fees.

The global stablecoin market has experienced remarkable growth. Market capitalization surpassed $273 billion, reflecting increased confidence in digital dollar adoption. However, retail payment adoption remains limited. Stablecoin transactions represented less than 1% of total activity in the past 12 months, with most occurring as deposits or withdrawals on crypto exchanges. High-value transfers, B2B payments, and cross-border settlements currently dominate stablecoin usage.

Conclusion

Visa’s expanded stablecoin support positions the payment network at the forefront of digital asset integration. The company’s multi-chain, multi-coin approach provides flexibility for global partners navigating the evolving payments landscape. As stablecoin infrastructure matures, traditional financial institutions gain practical tools for blockchain-based transactions while maintaining regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.