Visa’s Stablecoin Express Lane: Seamless, Real-Time Global Payments for Freelancers

Visa Inc. (V) is ramping up its involvement in stablecoin-based payments through a pilot project aimed at streamlining payouts for creators, freelancers, and gig workers worldwide. Announced at Web Summit 2025, this program enables businesses to transfer USD-pegged stablecoins straight to recipients’ digital wallets, eliminating the need for conventional banks and making transactions nearly instantaneous, according to a

. This initiative is part of Visa’s larger plan to weave blockchain technology into its payment network, utilizing stablecoins such as to improve cross-border liquidity and promote financial inclusion, as highlighted in a .

The pilot, which operates under the Direct platform, lets companies fund payments in fiat while recipients can choose to receive stablecoins. This adaptability helps tackle issues like currency instability in underserved markets and the lack of access to traditional banks, as noted in the Nasdaq report. A states that 57% of digital content creators cite immediate access to funds as their top reason for preferring digital payments. The pilot also prioritizes transparency, with blockchain transaction records supporting both audit and compliance needs, according to the Nasdaq report.

Visa’s stablecoin projects are gaining

as the financial industry undergoes significant changes. Earlier this year, Visa began piloting pre-funding with stablecoins to enhance the efficiency of international payments, as reported by Bloomberg. Additionally, the Visa Tokenized Asset Platform now enables banks to issue and manage stablecoins, further strengthening Visa’s role in connecting traditional finance with digital assets, according to a . These advancements are supported by favorable regulations, such as the GENIUS Act, which clarifies the rules for stablecoin operations in the U.S., as also mentioned by the Zacks analyst blog.

The launch of the pilot comes as Visa moves closer to settling a longstanding legal battle with U.S. merchants over interchange fees. Visa and Mastercard Inc. (MA) are approaching a proposed agreement that would lower fees by 10 basis points and give retailers more freedom to decline premium rewards cards, according to a

. If finalized, the deal—which could save merchants over $200 billion over five years—may reshape the payments sector by reducing network dominance and encouraging more competition, as reported in a . Experts point out that while the fee reductions might slightly affect Visa’s earnings, the company’s strong financials, including a 50.15% net margin and $16 trillion in processed payments, should allow it to weather the impact, as detailed in a .

For those working in the gig economy, Visa’s stablecoin pilot marks a major step toward greater financial independence. By offering fast, global payments, the platform addresses common challenges faced by freelancers and creators who often experience payment delays with traditional systems, according to the Nasdaq report. With plans to expand the pilot and a broader rollout anticipated in 2026, Visa demonstrates its dedication to meeting the digital-first needs of today’s workforce, as also reported by Nasdaq. As Visa navigates regulatory and market shifts, its focus on both innovation and settlement agreements signals a strategic move to maintain its leadership in the rapidly changing payments landscape.