Partnership
Visa Launches Stablecoin Settlement in the United States
The integration allows partners to settle VisaNet obligations with digital currency, bridging a critical gap between traditional finance and blockchain rails.
December 16, 2025
Visa now allows all its US-based card issuers to settle payments directly using the USDC stablecoin.
This integration with Circle aims to streamline treasury operations for banks, fintechs, and crypto firms on the VisaNet network.
The collaboration is set to expand, with plans to launch USDC settlement capabilities on the Arc platform.
Visa has announced on Tuesday the launch of stablecoin settlement capabilities in the United States, allowing select U.S. financial institutions to settle transactions with the company using Circle's USDC stablecoin.
For the first time, U.S. issuer and acquirer partners can settle VisaNet obligations in USDC, a fully reserved, dollar-denominated stablecoin issued by Circle Internet Financial. The move builds on Visa's global pilots, where stablecoin settlement volume has already surpassed a $3.5 billion annualized run rate as of November 30, 2025.
The new framework offers several key advantages over traditional fiat settlement:
- 7-day availability: Settlements can occur every day of the week, including weekends and holidays, improving liquidity and speed.
- Faster funds movement: Leveraging blockchain technology for near-instant transfers.
- Enhanced treasury management: Automated operations and better interoperability between traditional rails and blockchain infrastructure.
No changes are required to the consumer card experience, ensuring seamless integration for end-users.
Initial participants include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, both of which have begun settling with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain. Visa plans broader rollout to additional U.S. partners throughout 2026.
Visa is also deepening its partnership with Circle by serving as a design partner for Arc, Circle's new purpose-built Layer 1 blockchain currently in public testnet. Once live, Visa intends to use Arc for USDC settlements and operate a validator node to support the network's scalability for global commercial activity.
Read More:
https://usa.Visa.com/about-visa/newsroom/press-releases.releaseId.21951.html
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