Visa Revolutionizes Global Payments: New Pilot Program Uses USDC and EURC Stablecoins to Cut Settlement Times from Days to Minutes

Visa Launches Pilot for Cross-Border Payments Using USDC and EURC Stablecoins

In a significant move that bridges traditional finance with cryptocurrency technology, payment giant Visa has announced a groundbreaking pilot program that will allow businesses to use stablecoins for international transfers. This initiative aims to dramatically reduce settlement times from several days to just minutes by leveraging Circle's USDC and EURC stablecoins.

Visa Direct Integrates Stablecoin Cross-Border Payments

According to a press release issued on September 30, 2025, Visa is expanding its Visa Direct service to include stablecoin functionality. This new feature will enable businesses to prefund their transactions using stablecoins rather than traditional fiat currencies. Visa describes this approach as offering "almost instant liquidity," effectively treating these digital assets as "money in the bank."

The pilot program, scheduled to be widely available by April 2026, is currently testing with USDC (US Dollar Coin) and EURC (Euro Coin) – both issued by Circle. Visa has indicated that additional stablecoins may be added to the platform depending on market demand.

"Cross-border payments have been stuck in outdated systems for too long. The new integration of stablecoins into Visa Direct lays the groundwork for instant fund transfers worldwide, giving businesses more payment options."

Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa

Faster and Less Expensive Transfers via Blockchain

The use of stablecoins for international payments offers several key advantages. Most notably, it significantly reduces both the costs and delays associated with traditional cross-border transfers. Current systems can take several days to settle a transaction, leaving substantial sums immobilized during the process. With Visa Direct's stablecoin integration, these delays are cut to just minutes, providing businesses with faster access to their liquidity.

This move is part of a broader trend of stablecoin adoption by financial institutions. In July 2025, the GENIUS Act was signed into law in the United States, establishing a clear regulatory framework for these digital assets and paving the way for more widespread use in the financial system.

Meeting Growing Demand for Modern Payment Solutions

By incorporating stablecoins into its network, Visa is responding to increasing demand for faster and more cost-effective payment solutions. This evolution could transform how businesses manage their international transactions by offering a viable alternative to traditional banking systems that are often slow and expensive.

The pilot represents a significant step forward in the integration of blockchain technology into everyday financial operations. It demonstrates how established financial institutions are increasingly recognizing the potential of digital assets to solve real-world problems in the payments space.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Stablecoins in Global Finance

This initiative by Visa highlights the growing intersection between traditional finance and blockchain technology. As regulatory frameworks continue to evolve and major financial players like Visa embrace stablecoins, we're likely to see accelerated adoption across the global financial ecosystem.

The development also reflects the maturing of stablecoins as a reliable medium for value transfer, particularly for business applications where stability and efficiency are paramount. With faster settlement times and reduced costs, stablecoin-based payment rails could eventually become standard for international business transactions.

As the regulation and integration of stablecoins into classical finance continues to progress, Visa's pilot program may well be remembered as a pivotal moment in the mainstream adoption of blockchain-based payment solutions.