Global payments giant Visa has announced the official launch of its stablecoin payment pilot program, allowing creators, freelancers, and businesses to receive payments directly in USDC (circle-issued currency) through Visa Direct, enabling instant cross-border settlements. Visa stated that during the pilot phase, businesses can initiate payments in fiat currency within the United States, while recipients can choose to receive USDC directly, with funds arriving almost within minutes. This will provide convenience for users in regions with currency volatility or limited bank access. Chris Newkirk, President of Visa's Commercial and Liquidity Solutions, said, "The launch of stablecoin payments means truly achieving 'funds arriving in minutes,' allowing users anywhere in the world to receive income quickly and securely." This pilot program is a further expansion of Visa's stablecoin initiative. In September of this year, Visa launched a "stablecoin pre-charge" pilot program, allowing businesses to use stablecoins to fund Visa Direct accounts. This new program marks the first time end-users can receive payments directly in stablecoins. Recipients must have a stablecoin wallet compliant with Visa standards and pass KYC/AML verification. Visa plans to expand this program to more partners in the second half of 2026; currently, only USDC is supported. Since 2020, Visa has facilitated over $140 billion in crypto and stablecoin transactions and launched more than 130 stablecoin-linked card projects in 40 countries. (The Block)