Visa has officially launched USDC stablecoin settlement capabilities for United States banks and financial institutions through the Solana blockchain. This milestone follows a successful $3.5 billion stablecoin pilot program and marks a significant step in the integration of blockchain technology with traditional banking infrastructure.
The global payments giant announced the rollout on December 16, 2025, enabling U.S. banks to settle payment obligations using Circle’s dollar-pegged USDC stablecoin. This move brings near-instant settlement options to the traditional financial ecosystem while maintaining the familiar credit card experience for consumers.
Cross River Bank and Lead Bank serve as initial participants in this groundbreaking initiative. These forward-thinking institutions now settle directly with Visa through USDC on the Solana blockchain. The company plans to extend this capability to additional U.S. banking partners throughout 2026.
BREAKING: Banks are settling payments with @Visa on Solana, already at $3.5 billion run rate 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MSQZv0hmf7
— Solana (@solana) December 16, 2025
A New Era of Banking Efficiency
Visa’s USDC settlement system addresses several pain points in traditional banking operations. Financial institutions can now benefit from faster funds movement, access seven-day settlement windows, and manage liquidity more effectively during weekends and holidays. These advantages come without altering how consumers interact with their credit cards.
Visa is expanding stablecoin settlement because our banking partners are not only asking for it – they’re preparing to use it. Financial institutions need faster, programmable settlement options that integrate smoothly with existing treasury operations.
Rubail Birwadker, Visa’s Global Head of Growth Products and Strategic Partnerships
The system combines the speed and flexibility of blockchain technology with the robust security and compliance frameworks that banks require. This balance makes the transition to stablecoin settlement practical for regulated financial institutions that must maintain stringent risk controls.
By selecting Solana as the initial blockchain for this service, Visa leverages one of the fastest and most cost-effective networks available. This choice helps minimize transaction costs while maximizing processing speed for participating banks.
Building on a History of Innovation
This U.S. launch builds on Visa’s extensive experience with blockchain technology. The company first experimented with USDC settlement in 2021 and became one of the first major payment networks to settle transactions using stablecoins in 2023. Since those early trials, Visa has expanded support to include multiple blockchains and stablecoin types.
The program’s growth has been remarkable, with stablecoin settlement volume exceeding a $3.5 billion annualized run rate as of November 30, 2025. This substantial figure demonstrates the growing appetite for blockchain-based settlement solutions among financial institutions.
Visa is also strengthening its relationship with Circle by serving as a lead design partner for Circle’s Arc blockchain. Once Arc launches, Visa plans to operate a validator node and support USDC settlement through this purpose-built financial network.
This collaboration highlights how traditional payment networks and blockchain companies can work together to create hybrid systems that leverage the strengths of both technological approaches.
The Future of Payments Takes Shape
Visa’s USDC settlement initiative demonstrates how blockchain technology has evolved from an experimental concept to a practical tool for mainstream financial operations. The ability to settle transactions in stablecoins gives banks new capabilities while maintaining connections to traditional payment rails.
As stablecoin settlement becomes more common, we may see additional use cases emerge beyond simple payment processing. Programmable finance applications could transform how institutions manage treasury operations, conduct cross-border transactions, and develop new financial products.
While this represents a significant step forward, the journey toward fully integrated blockchain-based financial systems continues to evolve. The financial industry now stands at an exciting intersection where traditional banking meets digital innovation—with companies like Visa bridging the gap between these worlds.
Stay connected with Genfinity for continuous updates on how this technology reshapes the financial landscape and what it means for consumers, businesses, and the broader economy.
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