Visa has taken another bold step into the world of digital currencies. On September 30, 2025, during the SIBOS financial services conference, the global payments giant announced a pilot program that uses stablecoins to simplify and speed up international payments.
At the centre of this pilot is Visa Direct, the company’s platform that already allows instant peer-to-peer transfers in over 190 countries. With the new pilot, Visa tests how stablecoins can be used to “prefund” accounts in advance. Instead of waiting days for money to move between banks, Visa wants to allow businesses and individuals to instantly fund their accounts using blockchain technology.
This initiative is not happening in isolation. Visa is working with its wide network of banking institutions, fintech firms, and blockchain providers, who will all play a role in the prefunding system. This partnership aims to show that stablecoins are not just for crypto traders but can also serve traditional businesses and banks that need faster and more reliable cross-border solutions.
Why stablecoins?
Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins are tied to real currencies like the U.S. dollar, making them less volatile. Combining stablecoins with Visa’s trusted infrastructure, the company is betting on a future where global transactions are not slowed by time zones, public holidays, or outdated banking processes.
This pilot matters especially for Africa and other emerging markets, where cross-border remittances are often expensive and slow. For millions of small business owners and freelancers, receiving payments quickly could mean better cash flow and more opportunities. Visa’s move may also push regulators to develop clearer rules for stablecoin adoption, ensuring that innovation goes hand in hand with security.
Visa’s stablecoin pilot is more than a technical experiment. It represents a shift in how one of the biggest names in finance is preparing for a blockchain-powered future. By bringing together banks, fintechs, and blockchain innovators through the Visa partnership network, the company is showing that stablecoins could soon become part of everyday financial life.
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