Visa pilots stablecoins to speed up creator and freelancer payouts
Visa is piloting a stablecoin-based payments program aimed at speeding up global payouts for freelancers, creators and businesses, as the line between traditional and decentralized finance (DeFi) continues to blur.The payments giant announced Wednesday that it will expand Visa Direct to include stablecoin payouts, allowing users to receive funds directly into digital wallets instead of waiting days for transfers to bank accounts or cards.“Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes - not days - for anyone, anywhere in the world,” said Chris Newkirk, president, commercial & money movement solutions at Visa.“Whether it’s a creator building a digital brand, a business reaching new global markets or a freelancer working across borders, everyone benefits from faster, more flexible money movement.”The pilot aims to use stablecoins to improve cross-border liquidity and accessibility, especially in regions with limited banking infrastructure. Stablecoins are digital currencies pegged to fiat money, such as the US dollar, and are increasingly used as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain systems.Related: JPMorgan, DBS eye deposit tokens as cross-bank alternative to stablecoinsFaster access to payouts was ranked as the top reason creators opted for digital payment methods, with 57% of the surveyed creators citing instant access to funds as their main concern, according to Visa's 2025 Creator Economy Report.Visa estimates that the creator and gig economy will reach $500 billion by 2027, presenting a major opportunity for new digital payout solutions.