Visa Launches Pilot Program for Direct Stablecoin Payouts to Gig Workers and Creators

Visa has initiated a new pilot program to allow US businesses to make near-instant, cross-border payments to creators, freelancers, and gig workers using stablecoins, starting with Circle's USDC.

This program utilizes Visa Direct, allowing US businesses to fund payouts in fiat currency, while the international recipients can choose to receive the funds directly in USDC. Participants must use a compatible stablecoin wallet and pass standard KYC/AML verification checks.

The move is part of Visa's strategy to enhance universal access to money, especially in regions with volatile local currencies or limited banking services. This builds upon an earlier program that allowed businesses to pre-fund accounts using stablecoins.

Key Highlights of Visa's Stablecoin Strategy:

• Scale: Visa has facilitated over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin flows since 2020.
• Adoption: Stablecoin card spending in Q4 has quadrupled year-over-year.
• Reach: Visa operates over 130 stablecoin-linked card programs in more than 40 countries.
• Outlook: The pilot program, which aligns with clear regulatory guidance from the US GENIUS Act, is expected to see a wider rollout in the second half of 2026.
• Future: Visa is focused on scaling stablecoin use through cards, settlements, and bank integrations, while leaving open the option of issuing its own stablecoin eventually.

November 2025, Cryptoniteuae