Visa has announced plans to pilot a new stablecoin prefunding capability through its Visa Direct platform, marking a major step towards faster and more flexible cross-border payments.
The initiative allows businesses to send stablecoins instead of fiat currency to cover payouts, with Visa treating the digital assets as prefunded balances. By doing so, companies can avoid tying up large amounts of capital in advance, unlocking liquidity while ensuring payouts are covered.
“Cross-border payments have been stuck in outdated systems for far too long,” said Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions at Visa. “Visa Direct’s new stablecoins integration lays the groundwork for money to move instantly across the world, giving businesses more choice in how they pay.”
The pilot is designed for banks, remitters and financial institutions that require more efficient ways to manage liquidity across borders. Benefits include quicker access to funds, lower costs, predictable settlement and more dynamic treasury operations.
Visa will initially roll out the pilot with select partners before expanding in 2026. The move builds on the company’s wider strategy to combine the trust and reach of its global network with blockchain innovation, shaping the future of money movement in a digital-first economy.
