The global payments giant Visa has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in the financial technology landscape: the integration of USD Coin (USDC), a dollar-pegged stablecoin, to settle transactions across its network via the Ethereum blockchain. This initiative marks a pivotal moment in bridging traditional fiat systems with the rapidly evolving world of digital currencies.
Visa is currently piloting this settlement capability with Crypto.com, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency platforms and a long-standing strategic partner. The successful test paves the way for Visa to roll out USDC settlement to additional financial technology partners later this year, signaling a broader shift toward crypto-native financial infrastructure.
This move aligns with Visa’s vision to become the “network of networks,” enhancing the efficiency, speed, and flexibility of fund movements—both on and off its established payment rails. By leveraging its global footprint, trusted brand, and deep partner ecosystem, Visa aims to bring tangible value to the digital asset space, making cryptocurrencies more practical, secure, and widely applicable for everyday payments.
👉 Discover how digital currency integration is reshaping global payments
Building Infrastructure for the Future of Finance
Visa’s journey into digital currency settlement began with the development of a compliant pathway within its existing treasury infrastructure—a system that already processes billions of dollars daily across more than 200 markets and 160 currencies. In collaboration with Anchorage, the first federally chartered digital asset bank and Visa’s exclusive partner in digital currency settlement, the company has launched a pilot program where Crypto.com sends USDC to Visa to fulfill part of its obligations under the Crypto.com Visa card program.
Traditionally, Visa requires partners to settle transactions in fiat currency, which introduces friction for crypto-native firms that operate primarily in digital assets. Converting crypto to fiat adds cost, complexity, and delays—barriers that hinder scalability and innovation. By enabling USDC settlement, Visa removes the need for crypto companies to maintain large fiat reserves or navigate cumbersome conversion workflows.
This upgrade not only streamlines operations for partners like Crypto.com but also future-proofs Visa’s infrastructure for the anticipated rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). As governments worldwide explore or pilot their own digital currencies, Visa’s experience with stablecoin settlement positions it as a ready intermediary in the next era of digital finance.
Industry Leaders Weigh In on the Innovation
Jack Forestell, Vice President and Head of Products at Visa, emphasized the strategic importance of this development:
“Crypto-native fintechs need partners who understand their business and the unique mechanics of digital currency. Today’s announcement is a major milestone in our ability to serve fintechs that operate in stablecoins or cryptocurrencies. It’s a natural extension of what we do every day—enabling secure payments across the world’s diverse currencies.”
Kris Marszalek, Co-Founder and CEO of Crypto.com, highlighted the significance of deepening their partnership with Visa:
“We saw record growth in our business and the broader crypto ecosystem last year. To keep accelerating the world’s transition to cryptocurrency, we need partners who grasp the opportunity—and tools that help us move faster and more efficiently. We’ve been with Visa for years, and we’re excited to deepen this relationship through our global agreement, launching something truly unprecedented in stablecoin payments.”
Diogo Mónica, Co-Founder and President of Anchorage, underscored the role of institutional-grade infrastructure:
“Anchorage’s platform was built specifically to empower institutions like Visa to develop new crypto products. We’ve been alongside Visa every step since 2019, and we’re thrilled to see these first stablecoin payment rails come to life through Anchorage APIs.”
David Puth, CEO of Centre, the consortium governing USDC standards, praised Visa’s leadership:
“Visa is leading the market with its innovative approach to payment forms. We’re deeply impressed by their efforts. Having USDC on the Visa network is a remarkable next step in our mission to connect the world using Centre-compliant stablecoins—starting with USDC.”
👉 See how stablecoins are transforming transaction settlement
Why This Matters for the Financial Ecosystem
The integration of USDC into Visa’s settlement layer is more than a technical upgrade—it’s a signal of institutional validation for stablecoins as legitimate financial instruments. Stablecoins like USDC combine the efficiency of blockchain with the stability of fiat, making them ideal for real-time, cross-border transactions.
For fintechs and crypto platforms, this means:
- Reduced operational friction: No need for constant fiat conversion.
- Faster settlement cycles: Blockchain enables near-instant clearing.
- Lower costs: Eliminates intermediary fees tied to traditional banking rails.
- Greater scalability: Supports rapid growth without proportional increases in treasury complexity.
Moreover, this development reinforces trust in digital assets by aligning them with one of the most regulated and secure payment networks in the world. Visa’s rigorous compliance standards, combined with Anchorage’s regulated custody solutions, ensure that crypto settlements meet the highest levels of security and transparency.
Core Keywords Driving Adoption
This innovation centers around several key concepts shaping the future of finance:
- USD Coin (USDC)
- Stablecoin settlement
- Blockchain payments
- Crypto-native fintech
- Digital currency infrastructure
- Ethereum blockchain
- CBDC readiness
- Visa payment network
These terms reflect both current trends and forward-looking developments in how money moves globally. By embedding these concepts naturally into its operations, Visa is not just adapting to change—it’s driving it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is USDC and why is it important for payments?
A: USDC is a dollar-pegged stablecoin backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar reserves. Its price stability and transparency make it ideal for use in digital payments, especially across blockchain networks where volatility is common.
Q: How does settling with USDC benefit crypto companies?
A: It eliminates the need to convert crypto to fiat before settling with partners like Visa, reducing costs, complexity, and time delays—allowing crypto-native firms to operate more efficiently.
Q: Is this available to all Visa partners now?
A: Currently in pilot with Crypto.com, Visa plans to expand USDC settlement to other partners later in 2025.
Q: Does this mean Visa is adopting cryptocurrency for consumer payments?
A: Not directly. This refers to back-end settlement between Visa and its partners—not how end users pay at merchants. Consumers still use traditional cards; the innovation happens behind the scenes.
Q: Could this support future CBDC integration?
A: Yes. The infrastructure built for USDC settlement lays the groundwork for Visa to seamlessly integrate central bank digital currencies as they emerge globally.
Q: Is Ethereum the only blockchain supported?
A: For now, Ethereum is being used due to its widespread adoption and robust smart contract capabilities. Future expansions may include other networks.
👉 Explore how next-gen payment networks are evolving
Final Thoughts
Visa’s move to settle transactions using USD Coin represents a watershed moment in financial convergence. It demonstrates how legacy financial institutions can embrace blockchain technology without compromising security or compliance. More importantly, it empowers innovators in the crypto space to build scalable, sustainable businesses on trusted infrastructure.
As digital currencies continue to mature, partnerships like this will define the new financial frontier—one where stability meets innovation, and global commerce becomes faster, cheaper, and more inclusive.