Visa Tests Stablecoin Payments for Creators and Gig Workers
Visa Inc. has launched a pilot program to pay creators and gig workers using stablecoins. Stablecoins are digital dollars backed by the U.S. currency. This allows businesses to send USDC directly to recipients’ wallets.
Companies pay in traditional currency, which Visa converts to stablecoins. The pilot is running with selected partners and will expand in 2026. The goal is to accelerate payments, especially in regions with limited banking access or unstable local currencies.
How the Visa Stablecoin Pilot Works
Visa’s new program sends payments directly to stablecoin wallets. Recipients receive USD-backed stablecoins such as USDC. These payments are fast, transparent, and cross-border. Each transaction is recorded on the blockchain.
Recipients can hold, spend, or convert their stablecoins as needed. The pilot targets international businesses, marketplaces, creator and gig platforms, and fintechs. Participants must meet KYC and AML requirements.
Visa converts companies’ traditional currency payments into stablecoins for transfer. The program builds on earlier pilots where businesses funded payouts directly with stablecoins.
Visa Expands Stablecoin Use and Accessibility
Chris Newkirk, President of Visa’s Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, said the pilot aims to deliver payments in minutes, not days. He noted faster, flexible money movement benefits creators, freelancers, and global businesses alike.
According to Monetized’s 2025 Creator Report, 57% of digital content creators prefer digital payments for instant fund access. Faster payouts help them manage their earnings without waiting for banks.
Since 2020, Visa has processed over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions. It supports more than 130 stablecoin-linked card programs across 40 countries. Monthly volumes have reached a $2.5 billion annualized rate.
Visa is collaborating with fintechs and platforms worldwide, including a partnership with African payment firm Yellow Card. Recently, Visa added support for two new dollar-backed stablecoins, PayPal USD (PYUSD) and Global Dollar (USDG), with plans to support more.
The company also supports products like Fold’s Bitcoin credit card, enabling users to earn Bitcoin rewards on purchases. These efforts show Visa’s commitment to expanding digital currency infrastructure for everyday use and cross-border payments.
