Visa is set to pilot a stablecoin prefunding platform via Visa Direct, aiming to streamline international payouts and advance digital currency adoption amid evolving regulation.
Visa is gearing up to roll out a stablecoin prefunding pilot through its Visa Direct platform. The idea here, at least from what I gather, is to enable real-time, cross-border transfers that are accounts-based and settled using stablecoins. The pilot, which is expected to be available in a limited capacity starting around April 2026, will let businesses pre-fund international payouts without the usual hassle of maintaining cash reserves in foreign bank accounts. This move highlights Visa’s strategic use of Visa Direct as a kind of interoperable network that supports third-party tokens, giving a modernized liquidity solution that fits within current regulatory and operational boundaries.
This development comes after the passage of the U.S. GENIUS Act in mid-2025, legislation that sets out clear regulatory guidelines for stablecoin issuers. Honestly, that legislation has really energized the payment industry’s efforts to find scalable use cases for stablecoins—especially in cross-border payments, where traditional banking hours and fiat liquidity constraints tend to slow things down. Mark Nelsen, Visa’s head of product for Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, pointed out that this pilot helps tackle liquidity hurdles by allowing immediate crediting of accounts through stablecoins, which can be exchanged 24/7 on crypto exchanges, unlike the limited operating hours of traditional banks.
Visa’s network already processes over 10 billion transactions a year and links to more than 11 billion endpoints—these include bank accounts, cards, wallets, and so on. So, from a scale perspective, it’s pretty promising for stablecoin adoption. Oh, and just to clarify—Visa isn’t creating its own stablecoin here. Instead, it supports any third-party stablecoin that has enough market volume, like PayPal’s PYUSD, for instance. Richard Crone, CEO of Crone Consulting, likened Visa Direct to a sort of “Switzerland” in the payments space—a neutral infrastructure that can handle multiple token issuers under regulated, familiar procedures.
Initially, the pilot’s main focus will be on large remittance companies—where immediate settlement of cross-border transactions is crucial. But, interestingly enough, there are other potential uses as well, such as B2B accounts payable—that could really shake up a global market estimated to be worth somewhere between $120 trillion and $140 trillion, according to Crone Consulting. And beyond that, consumer scenarios are starting to emerge, like connecting stablecoin wallets directly to Visa debit cards, so users can spend at any merchant that accepts Visa.
Of course, there’s still the issue of regulatory clarity outside the U.S. That’s a bit of a challenge. Nelsen mentioned that just a handful of countries currently have regulatory frameworks similar to the GENIUS Act, and broad harmonization of licensing requirements will probably be needed before stablecoins can truly go global via Visa’s network.
The GENIUS Act has sparked a fair amount of mixed reactions from the wider financial community. On one hand, it’s given much-needed regulatory certainty that’s encouraged big players like Bank of America, Citigroup, and even companies like Walmart and Amazon to explore stablecoin initiatives. But, on the other hand, some folks, like Amundi—Europe’s largest asset manager—have expressed concerns. They warn that the law could contribute to destabilizing the global payments system by speeding up dollar-pegged stablecoins, potentially risking national monetary sovereignty.
Visa’s pilot is definitely a noteworthy step—it’s a key evolution that sits right at the intersection of traditional payment infrastructure and the new wave of digital currencies. By using stablecoins to sidestep liquidity bottlenecks and make cross-border settlements faster and more efficient, Visa hopes to show how digital tokens can exist within—and even improve—our established financial systems, without messing up what users are already used to. The results of this pilot, which we expect to see in the next year or so, could open the door for wider acceptance, and could spur the development of regulatory frameworks that align global payments with the possibilities offered by digital finance.
References:
- - [1] American Banker
- - [2] Reuters
- - [3] Visa Perspectives
- - [4] SSGA Insights
- - [5] Reuters
- - [6] Reuters
- - [7] Reuters
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.americanbanker.com/payments/news/visa-to-open-visa-direct-to-stablecoins - Please view link - unable to able to access data
- https://www.reuters.com/technology/visa-bets-stablecoins-speed-up-cross-border-payments-2025-09-30/ - Visa has announced a pilot program to test the use of stablecoins for international payments, allowing businesses to pre-fund transactions with digital tokens instead of traditional currencies. This initiative aims to accelerate cross-border payments and reduce the need for companies to lock up cash in multiple currencies worldwide. The decision follows the passage of the Genius Act in the U.S., which established clear regulations for stablecoin issuers and has increased institutional confidence in digital tokens. Visa is partnering with undisclosed entities and plans to expand the program next year. (reuters.com)
- https://corporate.visa.com/en/sites/visa-perspectives/newsroom/visa-direct-taps-stablecoins-to-unlock-faster-funding-for-businesses.html - Visa has launched a stablecoin prefunding pilot through Visa Direct, enabling businesses to move money globally by pre-funding accounts with stablecoins instead of traditional currencies. This approach aims to unlock liquidity and modernize treasury operations for the digital-first economy. The pilot is expected to be available on a limited basis in April 2026. (corporate.visa.com)
- https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/insights/genius-act-explained-what-it-means-for-crypto-and-digital-assets - The GENIUS Act, signed into law in July 2025, establishes a regulatory framework for stablecoins in the U.S., providing clear rules for issuers and increasing institutional confidence in digital tokens. This legislation is expected to spur the development of scalable use cases for stablecoins, particularly in cross-border payments. (ssga.com)
- https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/amundi-warns-us-stablecoin-policy-could-destabilise-global-payments-system-2025-07-03/ - Amundi, Europe's largest asset manager, has expressed concern that the U.S. GENIUS Act, which establishes a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged stablecoins, could disrupt the global payment system. The legislation may spur widespread adoption of stablecoins, prompting fears of global 'dollarization' and potential threats to national monetary sovereignty. (reuters.com)
- https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/companies-plan-stablecoins-under-new-law-experts-say-hurdles-remain-2025-08-12/ - Following the passage of the new U.S. GENIUS Act, major financial institutions like Bank of America and Citigroup, along with companies such as Walmart and Amazon, are planning to explore or launch their own dollar-backed crypto tokens. Stablecoins—cryptocurrencies pegged to the U.S. dollar—are seen as a gateway to faster, cheaper payments, both domestically and internationally. (reuters.com)
- https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/amundi-warns-us-stablecoin-policy-could-destabilise-global-payments-system-2025-07-03/ - Amundi, Europe's largest asset manager, has expressed concern that the U.S. GENIUS Act, which establishes a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged stablecoins, could disrupt the global payment system. The legislation may spur widespread adoption of stablecoins, prompting fears of global 'dollarization' and potential threats to national monetary sovereignty. (reuters.com)
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The narrative is based on a press release from Visa dated September 30, 2025, announcing the stablecoin prefunding pilot through Visa Direct. The earliest known publication date of substantially similar content is September 30, 2025. The pilot is expected to be available in a limited capacity starting around April 2026. The GENIUS Act, which provides regulatory clarity for stablecoin issuers, was signed into law on July 18, 2025. (usa.visa.com) The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The narrative has been republished across various reputable outlets, including Reuters and PYMNTS.com. (theblock.co)
Quotes check
Score: 9
Notes: The report includes direct quotes from Visa's press release and statements from Visa executives. The earliest known usage of these quotes is from the press release dated September 30, 2025. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score: 10
Notes: The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, Visa, which issued the press release. The GENIUS Act is a U.S. federal law signed by President Donald Trump on July 18, 2025, establishing a regulatory framework for stablecoins. (apnews.com) The report is based on official statements and legislation, indicating high source reliability.
Plausability check
Score: 10
Notes: The claims about Visa's stablecoin prefunding pilot and the GENIUS Act are consistent with recent developments in the cryptocurrency and financial sectors. The narrative aligns with Visa's strategic initiatives and the legislative context surrounding stablecoin regulation. The language and tone are consistent with official corporate communications and legislative summaries.
Overall assessment
Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary: The narrative is based on a recent press release from Visa, detailing the stablecoin prefunding pilot through Visa Direct, with the earliest known publication date of September 30, 2025. The GENIUS Act, signed into law on July 18, 2025, provides regulatory clarity for stablecoin issuers. The report includes direct quotes from Visa's press release and statements from Visa executives, with no identical quotes appearing in earlier material, indicating potentially original content. The narrative originates from a reputable organisation, Visa, and is consistent with recent developments in the cryptocurrency and financial sectors. The language and tone are consistent with official corporate communications and legislative summaries. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.