Visa has launched a new pilot project called Visa Direct, allowing U.S. customers to make direct cross-border payments in the USDC stablecoin to recipient wallets. This initiative is targeted at freelancers, content creators, and gig workers, offering them faster and more convenient ways to receive earnings.
What is Visa Direct and How Does It Work?
Visa Direct is a service that allows businesses and individuals to make payments directly in stablecoins, such as USDC. Payments can even be made in fiat currencies, which will then be converted into a stablecoin when credited to the recipient’s wallet. This approach aims to simplify the process of transferring funds in economies where currencies can be highly volatile.
The focus of the project is on markets where banking infrastructure is limited or underdeveloped, making traditional money transfer methods less convenient and effective. Visa promises to reduce transfer time, making payments faster and more secure.
Key Benefits for Users
According to research by Visa, 57% of respondents stated that speed was the main factor influencing their choice of digital payment methods. This suggests that direct payments in stablecoins could significantly speed up the income-receiving process, which is especially important for freelancers and content creators working in international markets.
To receive payments in stablecoins, recipients must have a compatible wallet and meet KYC/AML requirements, in compliance with regulatory standards.
Pilot Project Launch and Further Expansion
At the moment, the project is in the pilot stage and available only to a select group of partners. A wider rollout is expected in the first half of 2026, as demand from customers increases and the regulatory framework for cryptocurrency transactions improves.
Progress in Visa’s Cryptocurrency Solutions
The new initiative is a logical continuation of the project launched in September, where Visa allowed companies to pre-fund payments using stablecoins. Visa’s innovations in the digital currency space have gained momentum in response to the passage of the GENIUS Act in the U.S., which defines the rules for dollar-backed cryptocurrencies.
The company reports that the annual volume of stablecoin transactions through Visa services exceeded $2.5 billion. Since 2020, Visa has processed over $140 billion in cryptocurrency and stablecoin transactions, of which $100 billion were related to the purchase of digital assets, and $35 billion were spent on goods and services.
In Q4 of this year, spending on cards linked to stablecoins increased fourfold compared to the same period last year. Visa currently supports more than 130 programs using stablecoins in 40 countries.
The Future of Visa’s Cryptocurrency Initiatives
When asked about the possibility of launching its own stablecoin, a Visa representative noted: “It’s hard to rule anything out in this ecosystem.” However, they emphasized that, in the short term, the company will focus on scaling the use of existing stablecoins through integrations with cards and banks.
Additionally, in October, Visa announced support for four stablecoins across different blockchains and formed a partnership with Bridge, a company owned by Stripe, to issue cards linked to these assets.
Visa continues to expand its capabilities in the cryptocurrency space, aiming to provide users with innovative and convenient ways to interact with digital assets.
