Visa has announced a major expansion of its stablecoin infrastructure, extending support across four additional blockchains as part of its ongoing effort to bridge traditional finance with digital currencies.
The move underscores Visa’s commitment to blockchain-based payment innovation, following a surge in global demand for faster, cheaper and more transparent settlement systems.
During its fourth-quarter and year-end earnings call on Tuesday, CEO Ryan McInerney confirmed that Visa now supports four stablecoins across four unique networks. These tokens, pegged to two major fiat currencies, can be seamlessly converted into more than 25 traditional currencies worldwide.
McInerney described the expansion as a key milestone in Visa’s long-term strategy to enhance digital settlement capabilities and foster interoperability between legacy payment rails and blockchain systems.
Stablecoin Transactions Surpass $2.5 Billion Monthly
Visa’s stablecoin-linked spending has seen explosive growth, with transaction volumes rising fourfold compared to the same period last year. According to McInerney, Visa’s monthly stablecoin volume now runs at an annualised rate exceeding $2.5 billion, a clear sign of growing consumer and institutional adoption of tokenised payments.
Since 2020, Visa has facilitated over $140 billion in combined crypto and stablecoin flows, including more than $100 billion in user purchases of digital assets through Visa-linked credentials. The company currently supports major stablecoins such as USD Coin (USDC) and Euro Coin (EURC) from Circle, PayPal USD (PYUSD) and Global Dollar (USDG).
These stablecoins operate across blockchain networks including Ethereum, Solana, Stellar and Avalanche, chosen for their speed, scalability and low transaction costs compared to traditional cross-border systems.
McInerney highlighted that Visa’s stablecoin-linked card spending quadrupled year-over-year in the fourth quarter, reinforcing the company’s belief that tokenised payments are fast becoming a cornerstone of the next generation of digital finance.
Integrating Stablecoins Into Banking Systems
Visa’s next phase of growth focuses on embedding stablecoin functionality directly into mainstream financial systems. Through Visa Direct, a pilot programme launched in late September, banks and fintechs can now pre-fund cross-border transfers using USDC and EURC, significantly reducing settlement times and costs.
McInerney also revealed that Visa has begun enabling banks to mint and burn their own stablecoins using its tokenised asset platform. This functionality is expected to simplify liquidity management and improve the efficiency of international money movement.
By combining stablecoin settlements with its existing payment infrastructure, Visa aims to empower financial institutions with tools to process blockchain-based transactions securely and compliantly. The initiative aligns with the company’s broader goal of making digital assets a seamless extension of the traditional payments ecosystem.
Bridging Traditional Finance and Blockchain
Visa’s expansion marks a pivotal moment in the convergence of blockchain technology and global payments. Stablecoins, cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies, have become increasingly important due to their stability, programmability and real-time settlement capabilities.
In response, Visa is investing heavily in its blockchain and tokenisation stack, developing new APIs and infrastructure that allow banks and fintechs to issue, redeem, and transfer tokenised assets directly through the Visa network. These capabilities are designed to future-proof Visa’s payment ecosystem and provide scalable solutions for digital asset transactions.
The company’s expansion comes at a time when regulatory clarity around USD-pegged stablecoins in the United States has improved, creating favourable conditions for wider institutional adoption. Visa, already operating over 130 stablecoin-linked card programmes in more than 40 countries, is well-positioned to lead this transition.
A Step Toward the Future of Money Movement
Visa’s foray deeper into stablecoin infrastructure signals a significant shift in the global financial landscape. By supporting multiple stablecoins across diverse blockchains, the company is effectively transforming its network into a multi-rail settlement layer capable of handling both fiat and digital value.
As blockchain technology continues to evolve, Visa’s integration of tokenised assets represents a powerful step toward a more interconnected, efficient and programmable global payments system. With transaction volumes rising and institutional interest accelerating, Visa’s stablecoin strategy could define the next era of financial interoperability, one where blockchain and traditional banking finally converge.
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