Visa Expands Global Payouts with Stablecoins via Visa Direct

In a significant move for the payments industry, Visa has announced the inclusion of stablecoins in its Visa Direct platform, which facilitates real-time, cross-border payments. This enhancement means that businesses can now utilize stablecoins for payouts, broadening the functionality of Visa Direct to reach over 18 billion endpoints worldwide, including cards, bank accounts, and digital wallets.

Visa's Partnership with Zerohash

The announcement came on August 5, when Visa revealed a partnership with Zerohash, a company that provides infrastructure for digital asset transactions. Through this alliance, eligible clients can pre-fund their accounts to initiate payouts using stablecoins, showcasing Visa’s commitment to integrating blockchain technology into its mainstream operations.

As Edward Woodford, CEO of Zerohash, noted, their infrastructure already supports various financial institutions and payment providers, ensuring a seamless integration into Visa's expansive payment network. Mark Nelsen, Visa’s global head of product, emphasized that stablecoins are set to create new avenues for more efficient payment solutions, particularly in cross-border scenarios.

Building on Prior Initiatives

This isn’t Visa’s first foray into stablecoins. In January, the company collaborated with BVNK to enable corporations to pre-fund stablecoin payments directly to recipients' digital wallets. Previously, Visa also explored stablecoin payouts through a pilot program that targeted creators and gig economy workers, who often face delays in receiving payments through traditional banking systems.

The latest development marks a significant scale-up from these pilot programs, with the implementation now embedded in the entire Visa Direct network rather than limited to select partners.

Challenges in International Money Transfers

The need for such innovations becomes clear when looking at the costs associated with international money transfers. According to the World Bank's Remittance Prices Worldwide report, the average cost for sending money through retail channels is 6.36% as of Q3 2025, which is disproportionately high compared to the United Nations' goal of 3%. Digital transfer services tend to be cheaper, averaging around 3.5%. With stablecoins, transaction costs can drop to just a few cents, clearing payments in minutes instead of the days that traditional banking methods often require.

For workers across the globe, such as freelancers in cities like Manila or Lagos receiving payments from US-based companies, the speed and efficiency of stablecoin payments can make a significant difference. The use of stablecoins allows for same-day payment in a stable token that preserves its dollar value, eliminating the prolonged waiting periods and high fees tied to conventional banking transfers.

The Road Ahead for Visa and Stablecoins

While the current uses of stablecoins within Visa’s framework primarily target B2B and B2W transactions, it indicates a shift towards embracing digital currencies within established infrastructures. However, consumers in the US likely won't be using USDC to make everyday purchases anytime soon, as Visa focuses its stablecoin initiatives on business transactions rather than retail use.

This development serves as an unmistakable signal for those in the blockchain and payments ecosystem: a major player has taken significant steps toward recognizing stablecoins as integral to modern payment systems, signifying their evolution from speculative assets to essential components of payment infrastructure.