Global payment giant Visa has announced the launch of stablecoin settlement in the United States, leveraging Circle’s USDC on the Solana blockchain. This move is part of Visa’s ongoing efforts to modernize its settlement infrastructure and position itself at the forefront of the burgeoning cryptocurrency sector.
On Tuesday, Visa unveiled its stablecoin settlement service expansion, enabling U.S. financial institutions—including local issuer and acquirer partners—to settle transactions using USDC for the first time. The payments leader emphasized that this innovation represents a step forward in facilitating faster transaction processing while maintaining a seamless consumer card experience.
The initial phase of this rollout includes participating institutions such as Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, who have commenced settlements in USDC on the Solana blockchain. A broader expansion plan across the U.S. is expected to unfold throughout 2026.
Further enhancing its capabilities, Visa announced plans to utilize Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain developed by Circle currently in the public testnet phase. This integration aims to streamline USDC settlements through Visa’s network while establishing a validator node once Arc becomes operational.
Visa noted that this launch signifies a critical milestone in its pilot program for stablecoin settlements and aligns with the company’s strategy to enhance its settlement layer, which is vital for facilitating global trade.
Having first experimented with USDC settlements in 2021, Visa has previously emerged as one of the early major payment networks to engage with stablecoins, concluding more than 130 stablecoin-linked card issuance programs across 40 countries as of now. Recent reports highlight this significant engagement in stablecoin utilization.
Last month, Visa also announced the extension of its stablecoin settlement services to Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA), through a partnership with the crypto infrastructure provider Aquanow.
Rubail Birwadker, Visa’s Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships, remarked that the expansion into stablecoin settlement is driven by demand from banking partners who are preparing to adopt this technology. He added that financial institutions are increasingly seeking faster, programmable settlement solutions that can seamlessly integrate with their existing operations. By introducing USDC settlement capabilities in the U.S., Visa aims to enhance treasury efficiency while adhering to the security and compliance standards expected within its network.
Circle also reiterated the importance of incorporating fully reserved stablecoins into the settlement processes of financial institutions. Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Circle, emphasized that this integration not only modernizes treasury processes but also unlocks new opportunities for services while upholding the transparency and reliability for which USDC is known.
This week, Visa further expanded its service offerings with the launch of its Stablecoins Advisory Practice (SAP), a new initiative from Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA). This advisory unit aims to provide insights and guidance for banks, fintechs, merchants, and other businesses on navigating the emerging stablecoin landscape, including recommendations on strategy and implementation.
The SAP will offer a comprehensive suite of services, including market training and trend analysis, strategy development, market entry planning, and technology enablement for stablecoin integration. With an impressive $3.5 billion in stablecoin settlement volume recorded as of November 30, Visa’s new advisory practice is poised to drive growth opportunities for businesses exploring stablecoin technology.
Matt Freeman, a senior vice president at Navy Federal Credit Union, articulated this growing sentiment by stating that “stablecoins may represent an opportunity to enhance speed and lower costs in payments; thus, with Visa’s support, we are evaluating how this technology could fit into our strategy to deliver significant value to our 15 million members worldwide.”
