Visa Scales Stablecoin Settlement Infrastructure to $7 Billion Run Rate

Visa (V) is accelerating its transition toward a multichain payment infrastructure, announcing the expansion of its stablecoin settlement network to support nine different blockchains. The move allows financial issuers and acquirers to bypass traditional banking rails, utilizing stablecoins to settle transactions in near real-time. This strategic shift addresses the inherent delays in legacy cross-border payment systems, which often require several days to finalize. By integrating blockchain-based dollars, Visa provides a streamlined alternative for moving capital across borders with significantly reduced latency. The company has added support for Coinbase's Base, Polygon, Canton Network, Circle's Arc, and Stripe-backed Tempo. These new additions join existing integrations with Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and Stellar. Currently, Visa's pilot includes USDC settlement tied to card programs in more than 50 countries. Financial metrics indicate rapid adoption of the technology, with the program reaching a $7 billion annualized run rate, a 50% increase from the prior quarter. According to Rubail Birwadker, Visa's global head of growth products and strategic partnerships, the expansion allows partners to choose the networks that best fit their specific needs while relying on Visa as a common settlement layer. By supporting a diverse array of networks, Visa aims to grant its partners access to multiple liquidity pools without adding operational complexity, further embedding digital assets into the global financial plumbing.