Visa launches stablecoin payment pilot program, allowing creators and freelancers to receive payments directly in USDC.

Odaily Planet Daily reports that global payments giant Visa has officially launched a stablecoin payment pilot program, allowing creators, freelancers, and businesses to receive payments directly in USDC issued by Circle through Visa Direct, enabling instant cross-border settlements.

Visa stated that during the pilot phase, businesses can initiate payments in the United States using fiat currency, while recipients can choose to receive USDC directly. Funds can arrive in almost a few minutes, which will bring convenience to users in regions with currency volatility or limited bank access.

Chris Newkirk, president of Visa's Commercial and Flow Solutions, said, "The launch of stablecoin payments means truly achieving 'funds arriving in minutes,' allowing users anywhere in the world to receive income quickly and securely."

This pilot program is reportedly a further expansion of Visa's stablecoin initiative. In September, Visa launched a "stablecoin pre-deposit" pilot program, allowing businesses to use stablecoins to fund Visa Direct accounts. This new program marks the first time end-users can receive payments directly in stablecoins.

The recipient must have a Visa-compliant stablecoin wallet and pass KYC/AML verification. Visa states that it plans to expand this to more partners in the second half of 2026; currently, only USDC is supported.

Since 2020, Visa has facilitated over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions and launched more than 130 stablecoin-linked card projects in 40 countries. (The Block)