Visa Inc. has introduced USDC settlement for U.
S. issuer and acquirer partners, marking an expansion of its stablecoin settlement pilot program aimed at modernizing its global commerce settlement layer. Initial participants, including Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, have begun settling with Visa using Circle’s USDC over the Solana blockchain.
The initiative enables U.
S. banking partners to settle with Visa in Circle’s USDC, a fully reserved, dollar-denominated stablecoin. This development offers issuers the benefits of faster fund movement over blockchains, seven-day availability, and enhanced operational resilience across weekends and holidays, all without altering the consumer card experience. Broader availability in the U.
S. is anticipated through 2026.
Visa is also collaborating with Circle on Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain currently in public testnet, designed to support Visa’s global commercial activity on-chain with its performance and scalability. Visa plans to utilize Arc for USDC settlement within its network and intends to operate a validator node once Arc goes live.
Rubail Birwadker, Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships at Visa, stated, “Visa is expanding stablecoin settlement because our banking partners are not only asking about it – they’re preparing to use it. Financial institutions are looking for faster, programmable settlement options that integrate seamlessly with their existing treasury operations. By bringing USDC settlement to the U.
S., Visa is delivering a reliable, bank‑ready capability that improves treasury efficiency while maintaining the security, compliance and resiliency standards our network requires.”
Visa’s U.
S. stablecoin settlement framework is designed to provide 7-day settlement windows, improving speed and liquidity for banks and fintechs compared to the traditional five-business day window. It also facilitates modernized liquidity and treasury management, enabling automated, next-generation treasury operations for participating banks, and offers interoperability, bridging traditional payment rails with blockchain-based infrastructure.
This introduction of stablecoin settlement in the U.
S. builds upon Visa’s existing global stablecoin settlement pilots across various regions, including LAC, Europe, AP, and CEMEA. As of November 30, Visa’s monthly stablecoin settlement volume exceeded a $3.5 billion annualized run rate, a significant achievement since the company began settling transactions in a stablecoin in 2023. In July, Visa enhanced its stablecoin settlement pilot by adding support for more blockchains and stablecoins to provide partners with increased flexibility for VisaNet obligations. Visa first explored USDC settlement in 2021.
Circle, the creator of USDC, highlighted the integration of fully-reserved stablecoins into institutional settlement processes. Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Circle, commented, “Bringing USDC settlement to the U.
S. with Visa is a milestone for internet native money moving at the speed of software. It helps card-issuing financial institutions modernize treasury and unlock new services while retaining the transparency and trust that USDC is known for.”
Early banking partners have underscored the benefits of faster, API-driven settlement. Lead Bank, a community bank focused on technology and fintech partnerships, noted that seven-day settlements and clearer liquidity timing are increasingly important for its clients. Jackie Reses, CEO of Lead Bank, stated, “Lead Bank is proud to be among the first U.
S. banks to enable USDC settlement with Visa. This capability brings speed and precision to treasury operations and helps us deliver modern financial services to the communities we serve.”
Cross River Bank, an infrastructure provider for embedded financial solutions, emphasized the importance of interoperability. Gilles Gade, Founder, President and CEO of Cross River, said, “Fintech and crypto innovators increasingly ask us to bring stablecoins into their existing product suite. A unified platform that natively supports both stablecoins and traditional payment networks is the foundation for how value will move globally. As one of the first U.
S. banks to enable USDC settlement with Visa, we’re demonstrating how a tech-forward, deeply integrated banking partner can connect blockchain networks and legacy systems at scale.”
To assist financial institutions in navigating this evolving landscape, Visa Consulting & Analytics has launched its Stablecoins Advisory Practice, providing education and strategic guidance on market fit and implementation.
Visa (NYSE: V) is a global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, sellers, financial institutions, and government entities across over 200 countries and territories. The company’s mission is to connect the world through a secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive.
