Visa Expands Stablecoin Settlement with New Blockchain and Payment Partners

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In a strategic move to accelerate the modernization of cross-border payments, Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement capabilities by integrating new partners, including the high-performance blockchain Solana, and major merchant acquirers Worldpay and Nuvei. This marks a significant evolution of Visa’s digital currency initiative, which first launched in 2021 with Ethereum and Crypto.com.

The initiative leverages USD Coin (USDC)—a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin—to facilitate faster, more efficient international transactions. By settling millions of USDC across its global VisaNet infrastructure, the financial giant is demonstrating how blockchain technology can complement traditional payment rails, offering clients a modern, flexible way to move money.

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Building on a Foundation of Innovation

Since its early foray into digital assets in 2021, Visa has been testing the use of stablecoins for real-world transaction settlement. The original pilot used Ethereum’s blockchain in collaboration with Crypto.com to process payments in USDC. Now, with the inclusion of Solana, known for its lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees, Visa is enhancing scalability and cost-efficiency.

“By leveraging stablecoins like USDC and global blockchain networks like Solana and Ethereum, we're helping to improve the speed of cross-border settlement and providing a modern option for our clients to easily send or receive funds from Visa’s treasury,” said Cuy Sheffield, Head of Crypto at Visa.

This expansion positions Visa as one of the first major payment networks to utilize Solana for live, production-level settlements—underscoring the growing role of diverse blockchains in enterprise finance.

Strategic Partnerships with Merchant Acquirers

A key component of this initiative is Visa’s collaboration with Worldpay and Nuvei, two of the world’s largest merchant acquirers. These partnerships allow businesses—from crypto on-ramps to gaming platforms and NFT marketplaces—to receive payouts in USDC, giving them greater control over their treasury operations.

Through this integration:

This setup streamlines the payment chain, reduces reliance on traditional banking intermediaries, and supports businesses operating in digital-native ecosystems where crypto-first workflows are increasingly common.

Jim Johnson, President of Worldpay, emphasized the value:
“Visa's USDC settlement capability enables Worldpay to bring more of our treasury operations in-house and allows us to offer merchants more choices for receiving funds. Diversifying funding options and increasing flexibility is critical to serving the changing needs of global merchants in today’s rapidly evolving commerce landscape.”

👉 See how leading payment processors are integrating digital currencies into mainstream finance.

Why Solana? Speed, Scale, and Cost

While Ethereum laid the groundwork for decentralized finance (DeFi), its limitations in speed and transaction cost have prompted enterprises to explore alternative blockchains. Solana addresses these challenges with:

For a global payments network like Visa, these attributes translate into tangible benefits: faster settlement times, reduced operational costs, and improved user experience for both merchants and end consumers.

By supporting multiple blockchains—including both Ethereum and Solana—Visa ensures interoperability and resilience across its digital asset infrastructure. This multi-chain approach reflects an industry shift toward modular, adaptable financial systems that can serve diverse regional and sector-specific needs.

The Role of USDC and the Centre Consortium

At the heart of this ecosystem is USD Coin (USDC), a regulated, fully reserved stablecoin governed by the Centre Consortium, co-founded by Circle and Coinbase in 2018. USDC’s transparency, compliance framework, and widespread adoption make it an ideal instrument for institutional-grade digital payments.

Visa’s continued reliance on USDC highlights its preference for stablecoins that meet rigorous regulatory standards—a crucial factor amid increasing scrutiny from financial regulators worldwide.

Despite regulatory headwinds—including the SEC’s lawsuits against major exchanges like Coinbase and Binance—Visa’s latest moves signal sustained confidence in blockchain’s long-term utility for payments innovation.

FAQ: Understanding Visa’s Stablecoin Strategy

Q: What is a stablecoin, and why is Visa using it?
A: A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency pegged to a stable asset, like the U.S. dollar. Visa uses USDC to enable fast, low-cost cross-border settlements while minimizing volatility risks associated with other digital assets.

Q: Is Visa replacing traditional payments with crypto?
A: No. Visa is not replacing fiat systems but enhancing them. Stablecoins act as a complementary tool within VisaNet, improving efficiency without disrupting existing infrastructure.

Q: How does Solana improve upon Ethereum for payments?
A: Solana offers significantly faster transaction speeds and lower fees than Ethereum, making it better suited for high-volume, real-time payment processing at scale.

Q: Can any merchant receive payments in USDC today?
A: Currently, participation is limited to merchants working through partner acquirers like Worldpay and Nuvei who have integrated the capability. Adoption is expected to grow as more processors join.

Q: Is this initiative available globally?
A: While initially focused on key international corridors, Visa’s multi-blockchain strategy aims to support global expansion as regulatory clarity improves across jurisdictions.

👉 Explore how businesses can prepare for the next generation of digital payments.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Digital Settlements

Visa’s latest expansion reflects a broader trend: traditional financial institutions embracing blockchain not as a disruptor, but as an enabler of smarter, faster, and more inclusive financial services. With cross-border payments projected to exceed $250 trillion annually by 2030, even marginal improvements in speed and cost can yield massive economic value.

As more enterprises adopt stablecoins for treasury management and payouts, interoperability between legacy systems and decentralized networks will become essential. Visa’s work with Solana, Worldpay, Nuvei, and Circle sets a precedent for how global brands can lead this transition responsibly and effectively.

While regulatory landscapes continue to evolve, Visa’s measured yet forward-looking approach demonstrates that innovation in digital finance is not only possible—but already underway.

Core Keywords:

By aligning technological advancement with practical business needs, Visa is helping shape a future where digital and traditional finance coexist seamlessly—delivering real value to merchants, consumers, and financial institutions alike.