Visa has announced a new pilot program that will use stablecoin prefunding to accelerate and simplify cross-border payments through its global money movement platform, Visa Direct.
The initiative, unveiled by Visa on Monday, seeks to modernize international transactions by allowing businesses to fund payouts using stablecoins rather than traditional fiat currencies. Visa Direct connects more than 11 billion eligible cards, bank accounts, and digital wallets worldwide.
For decades, cross-border transfers have relied on slow, costly systems that require businesses to lock up large sums of money in advance. By leveraging stablecoins, Visa aims to reduce those frictions, unlock liquidity, and give financial institutions more flexibility in managing treasury operations.
“Cross-border payments have been stuck in outdated systems for far too long,” said Chris Newkirk, President of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa.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.”
Key benefits of the pilot include:
Liquidity unlocked: Businesses no longer need to park large fiat balances, keeping more capital available for use.
Faster treasury operations: Money can move in minutes instead of days, improving responsiveness.
Stability: Stablecoins provide a consistent settlement layer, reducing exposure to currency volatility.
Cost efficiency: Companies can increase pre-funding frequency without raising costs.
The pilot is targeted at banks, remittance providers, and financial institutions seeking more flexible ways to manage cross-border liquidity. Visa is working with select partners that meet pilot criteria, with plans to expand the program in 2026.
The initiative builds on Visa’s broader commitment to reshaping global money movement by combining the trust and scale of its network with the programmability of blockchain technology.