Visa Pioneers Stablecoin Settlement in the US, Ushering in a New Era for Digital Finance

Global payments giant Visa has officially launched its stablecoin settlement service in the United States, a landmark move that signals a definitive shift from cautious observation to active implementation for traditional financial institutions embracing blockchain-powered payments.

Empowering Financial Institutions with USDC on Solana

According to Visa’s official statement, this innovative service enables eligible U.S. financial institutions to leverage Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin on the Solana blockchain for crucial backend treasury and clearing operations. The initial rollout includes prominent partners such as Cross River Bank, renowned for its fintech services, and Lead Bank, which boasts investment from leading venture capital firm a16z.

Visa has ambitious plans for this service, projecting a significant expansion throughout 2026. Rubail Birwadker, Visa’s Head of Global Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships, emphasized the strong demand from the banking sector:

“Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement capabilities because our bank partners aren’t just asking; they’re ready to use. Financial institutions are actively seeking faster, more programmable clearing solutions that seamlessly integrate with their existing treasury and financial operations.”

“By bringing USDC settlement to the U.S. market, Visa is providing financial institutions with a bank-grade, production-ready solution that enhances capital efficiency while upholding Visa’s stringent standards for security, compliance, and system resilience.”

A Comprehensive Strategy for Digital Assets

This launch is the culmination of a series of strategic initiatives by Visa aimed at building robust stablecoin infrastructure. Just last week, Visa introduced a dedicated stablecoin consulting service, designed to guide banks and enterprises through the complexities of stablecoin issuance, custody, and on-chain payments.

In the preceding month, Visa also rolled out USDC-based creator payment functionalities and broadened its on-chain settlement pilot programs across various regions. Furthermore, Visa is a key design partner for Circle’s Layer 1 public blockchain, “Arc,” where it not only plans to conduct USDC settlements but also intends to run validator nodes, actively participating in the network’s operation and security.

Capitalizing on Regulatory Clarity and Market Growth

Visa’s proactive embrace of stablecoins arrives at a pivotal moment, coinciding with a significant shift in the U.S. regulatory landscape. The path to compliance has become clearer since U.S. President Donald Trump signed the “GENIUS Act” in July, establishing the nation’s first federal stablecoin framework.

The stablecoin market, currently valued at approximately $300 billion, is projected to surge to an astounding $2 trillion by 2028. In response to this explosive growth, traditional financial institutions and payment giants are now in a race to provide compliant, high-throughput digital dollar transaction channels, with Visa leading the charge.