Visa is allowing U.S. banks to settle payments using Circle’s USDC stablecoin in a move highlighting how stablecoins are moving closer to mainstream financial infrastructure as institutions look for faster, round-the-clock payment solutions.

Visa’s Expanding Crypto Strategy

After years of experimentation, the payments giant is formally launching the new offering within its U.S. payment network. The program, which started with pilots abroad, lets approved issuers and acquirers send funds over the Solana blockchain using USDC, the company shared on Tuesday.

Cross River Bank and Lead Bank are the first partners on board, and broader rollout across U.S. institutions will reportedly continue through 2026. Visa said the integration allows faster fund transfers, seven-day settlement windows, and more efficient liquidity Liquidity The term liquidity refers to the process, speed, and ease of which a given asset or security can be converted into cash. Notably, liquidity surmises a retention in market price, with the most liquid assets representing cash.The most liquid asset of all is cash itself.· In economics, liquidity is defined by how efficiently and quickly an asset can be converted into usable cash without materially affecting its market price. · Nothing is more liquid than cash, while other assets represent The term liquidity refers to the process, speed, and ease of which a given asset or security can be converted into cash. Notably, liquidity surmises a retention in market price, with the most liquid assets representing cash.The most liquid asset of all is cash itself.· In economics, liquidity is defined by how efficiently and quickly an asset can be converted into usable cash without materially affecting its market price. · Nothing is more liquid than cash, while other assets represent Read this Term management for banks, without altering how consumers use their cards.

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The system aims to make treasury operations as seamless as using a blockchain wallet while maintaining the risk controls and compliance standards expected from a global payments provider.

“Banks Are Ready for Stablecoin Settlement”

“Visa is expanding stablecoin settlement because our banking partners are not only asking about it – they’re preparing to use it,” said Rubail Birwadker, Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships at Visa. “Financial institutions are looking for faster, programmable settlement options that integrate seamlessly with their existing treasury operations.”

The U.S. launch builds on Visa’s international pilot programs, which collectively surpassed an annualized $3.5 billion in stablecoin volumes as of November. The company was among the first major payment networks to test stablecoin Stablecoin Unlike other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that have been designed to keep a stable value. Placing a greater emphasis on stability over volatility can be a huge draw for some investors. Many individuals can be turned off from large swings and uncertainty presented by cryptos relative to other traditional assets.Stablecoins control for this volatility by being pegged to another cryptocurrency, fiat money, or to exchange-traded commodities, including Unlike other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that have been designed to keep a stable value. Placing a greater emphasis on stability over volatility can be a huge draw for some investors. Many individuals can be turned off from large swings and uncertainty presented by cryptos relative to other traditional assets.Stablecoins control for this volatility by being pegged to another cryptocurrency, fiat money, or to exchange-traded commodities, including Read this Term settlement in 2023 and has since added more blockchains and tokens for flexibility.

A powerful milestone in the mainstream adoption and acceptance of USDC, with Visa announcing that all US card issuers (banks, fintechs, crypto firms) can now settle directly with Visa using USDC. Visa also working with Circle to prepare for launching on @Arc.

Dollar digital… pic.twitter.com/c7ilmCrXWY

— Jeremy Allaire - jda.eth / jdallaire.sol (@jerallaire) December 16, 2025

Visa is also collaborating with Circle on Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain designed for large-scale financial applications. Once live, Visa plans to validate transactions on Arc and use it for future settlements. Early adopters Cross River Bank and Lead Bank see the potential in merging legacy payment systems with blockchain.

Visa’s Advisory Arm Tackles Stablecoin Strategy

To complement the rollout, Visa Consulting & Analytics launched a Stablecoins Advisory Practice to guide institutions through implementation and compliance. The move reflects growing demand from banks and fintechs exploring blockchain-based settlement and integrating tokenized money into regulated financial structures.

As Visa extends USDC settlement across the U.S., its strategy signals a shift in how traditional finance interacts with digital assets – a movement where blockchain infrastructure no longer sits outside the payment system but becomes part of its foundation.