Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement platform by adding support for three stablecoins—PayPal USD (PYUSD), Global Dollar (USDG), and Circle’s euro-backed EURC—and two new blockchains, Avalanche and Stellar, alongside existing support for Ethereum and Solana. This move brings Visa’s platform to four stablecoins and four blockchains, enhancing flexibility for cross-border transactions.
The integration of Avalanche, known for its high-performance and low-latency features, supports Visa’s strategy to build a scalable, interoperable infrastructure for global payments. The expansion follows a partnership with Paxos for USDG and PYUSD and aligns with growing institutional interest in stablecoins, spurred by the U.S. GENIUS Act, which provides a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins.
Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement capabilities, initially piloting with USDC on Ethereum and Solana in 2023, processing over $225 million in volume. In 2025, Visa added support for PayPal’s PYUSD, Paxos’ USDG, and Circle’s EURC, alongside new blockchains like Stellar and Avalanche, enhancing settlement speed and cost-efficiency for issuers and acquirers.
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In April 2025, Visa partnered with Bridge (a Stripe company) to launch stablecoin-linked Visa cards in Latin America (e.g., Argentina, Colombia), allowing users to spend stablecoin balances at 150 million Visa-accepting merchants. Bridge converts stablecoin to fiat for merchants, simplifying transactions. Expansion to Europe, Africa, and Asia is planned.
Stablecoins on high-performance blockchains like Avalanche enable near-instant settlements, reducing the days-long delays of traditional cross-border transfers via SWIFT or correspondent banking. By leveraging blockchain networks, Visa can bypass intermediaries, cutting fees for merchants and financial institutions. Avalanche’s low transaction costs further enhance cost efficiency.
Support for multiple stablecoins (PYUSD, USDG, EURC) and blockchains (Avalanche, Stellar, Ethereum, Solana) broadens options for businesses and consumers, especially in regions with limited banking infrastructure. The U.S. GENIUS Act’s federal framework for stablecoins provides clarity, encouraging adoption by ensuring compliance and stability, which is critical for Visa’s institutional clients.
Visa’s multi-chain, multi-stablecoin approach fosters a more interconnected payment ecosystem, allowing seamless conversions and transfers across different networks, improving liquidity and flexibility. Avalanche’s high throughput supports Visa’s goal of handling large-scale, enterprise-grade transaction volumes, making stablecoin payments viable for global commerce.
This expansion positions Visa to bridge traditional finance and blockchain-based payments, potentially reshaping cross-border transactions by making them faster, cheaper, and more inclusive. However, challenges like regulatory variations across jurisdictions and stablecoin volatility risks remain.
Stablecoins enable payments for unbanked or underbanked populations with access to smartphones, bypassing traditional banking infrastructure often lacking in emerging markets. Avalanche’s low fees and stablecoins’ elimination of intermediaries lower the cost of remittances, a critical lifeline for many emerging economies where fees can exceed 6% (World Bank average).
Near-instant settlements via Avalanche and other blockchains reduce delays in receiving funds, improving liquidity for households and small businesses reliant on overseas transfers. Stablecoins like PYUSD, USDG, and EURC, pegged to major currencies, offer a hedge against volatile local currencies, providing a reliable store of value and medium of exchange.
Small and medium enterprises in emerging markets gain access to global markets with cheaper, faster cross-border payments, enabling participation in e-commerce and international trade. The U.S. GENIUS Act’s stablecoin framework may encourage similar regulations in emerging markets, fostering trust and adoption while attracting foreign investment.
However, challenges persist: Limited internet access in some regions could hinder adoption. Emerging markets may lack clear crypto policies, creating risks for users. Low awareness of blockchain and stablecoins may slow uptake. Visa’s move could transform cross-border payments in emerging markets by improving access, affordability, and efficiency, but success depends on addressing infrastructure and regulatory gaps.