Visa launches stablecoin settlement in the US

Visa has launched stablecoin settlement in the US, allowing issuers and acquirers to settle transactions using Circle’s USDC token. This new system promises faster funds movement via blockchains, seven-day availability, and improved operational resilience, all without impacting the consumer card experience. Initial banking partners, Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, are already settling with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain, with broader US availability planned by 2026.

This launch builds upon Visa’s existing stablecoin pilots globally, with monthly settlement volume exceeding $3.5 billion as of November 30th. Visa is also a design partner for Arc, a new Layer 1 blockchain by Circle, and intends to utilize Arc for USDC settlement and operate a validator node upon its launch.

Rubail Birwadker, Visa’s global head of growth products and strategic partnerships, stated that financial institutions are actively seeking faster, programmable settlement options. Visa’s implementation of USDC settlement provides a secure, compliant, and resilient capability that enhances treasury efficiency for these institutions, integrating seamlessly with existing operations.

(Source：Finextra)