Catenaa, Friday, October 03, 2025- Visa has launched a pilot program allowing businesses to fund cross-border payments using stablecoins, aiming to reduce the need for pre-depositing cash into local accounts.
The initiative, built on Visa Direct’s real-time payments platform, reflects growing adoption of digital tokens among major financial institutions.
Visa said the pilot targets banks, remittance firms, and other financial services that typically hold multiple currencies to meet local payout obligations.
By using stablecoins, the company expects faster settlements and less capital tied up in dormant accounts. Visa has not disclosed pilot participants but plans to expand the program in 2026.
Industry estimates place the stablecoin market at $269 billion, up 62% in the past year, with forecasts projecting growth to $2 trillion within three years.
Visa has already processed more than $200 million in cumulative stablecoin settlement volume and views the project as a bridge connecting banks, fintech firms, and blockchain networks.
Visa executives said the pilot follows the US GENIUS Act, which provided clarity for stablecoin issuers and reduced uncertainty that previously limited institutional participation.
The company’s broader strategy integrates digital tokens into existing payment rails rather than competing with them, reflecting growing convergence between traditional finance and blockchain technology.
The pilot also builds on Visa’s Tokenized Asset Platform, launched in 2024, which allows institutions to issue and manage tokens on blockchains. Spanish lender BBVA is reportedly exploring a stablecoin launch through the platform.
