Visa tests pre-funding in stablecoin for cross-border payments

**Visa Launches Groundbreaking Stablecoin Pre-funding Pilot for Cross-Border Cryptocurrency Payments**

Visa is revolutionizing cross-border payments through a innovative stablecoin pre-funding pilot program on Visa Direct, announced at SIBOS 2025. This blockchain-powered initiative enables companies to deposit funds in pegged cryptocurrency tokens, which Visa treats as immediately available "money in the bank" for global payouts across its massive network of 11 billion eligible cards, accounts, and wallets.

The pilot addresses critical pain points in traditional remittances, where average costs exceed 6.2% according to World Bank data. By leveraging stablecoin technology, Visa eliminates the need for companies to maintain multiple fiat currency balances across jurisdictions, significantly reducing capital lock-up requirements.

This DeFi-inspired approach provides treasury teams enhanced cash flow visibility and control while streamlining operational processes. The integration with Visa's existing infrastructure represents a major step toward mainstream cryptocurrency adoption in financial services. Selected partners are participating in this transformative program that could reshape how businesses handle international money transfers, making cross-border payments faster, more predictable, and cost-effective through blockchain technology.