Payment Innovation - Visa is piloting USDC payouts for creators and gig workers [1] Cryptocurrency - The pilot program involves USDC (USD Coin), a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar [1]

Core Insights - Visa is piloting a new payment scheme allowing companies to send fiat USD directly to recipients' stablecoin wallets, specifically using dollar-pegged stablecoins like USDC [1][2] - The service is aimed at the creator and gig economy, facilitating small, irregular payments to a large number of recipients [3] - Wider access to the service is projected for the second half of 2026, depending on local regulations [4] Group 1: Service Details - Companies will pay out in fiat USD, while recipients will receive payments in stablecoins [1] - Participants must have a stablecoin wallet and pass AML/KYC checks; the pilot is currently limited to U.S.-based platforms and businesses [2] - Visa is in the process of onboarding partners for the service [4] Group 2: Strategic Moves - Visa has made significant investments in the stablecoin space, including a strategic investment in BVNK [5] - The company predicts an increased role for stablecoins in the $40 trillion global credit market, suggesting potential for traditional institutions to utilize blockchain technology [6] - Visa is also expanding support for stablecoin-based crypto credit cards in collaboration with various fintech companies [6]

Summary of Visa's 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) - **Event**: 2025 Conference on November 12, 2025 - **Speaker**: Chris Suh, CFO of Visa Key Industry Insights Merchant Settlement Announcement - Visa announced a proposed settlement with U.S. merchants after over 20 years of litigation, providing significant relief and flexibility for merchants in payment acceptance [4][5] - The settlement includes a **10 basis points reduction** in U.S. average effective credit interchange rates for five years, with a cap of **125 basis points** for standard credit card categories [5] - Merchants will have more options regarding surcharging and can choose to accept U.S. credit cards across distinct categories [5][6] - Visa aims to maintain its competitive position despite potential merchant steering away from premium cards [2][9] Consumer Resilience - Visa described consumer spending as resilient in Q4, with both discretionary and non-discretionary spending increasing from Q3 to Q4 [10][11] - Key categories such as retail services, fuel, and travel showed steady or improved performance [10] - Average ticket sizes improved, indicating a healthy consumer environment [11] Cross-Border Payment Trends - Cross-border payment growth remained strong, with **11% growth** in total cross-border transactions in Q3 and Q4, and **13% growth** in e-commerce cross-border transactions [16] - The upcoming **2026 FIFA World Cup** is expected to drive inbound travel and cross-border payment volumes, with Visa already engaging 70 clients for marketing services related to the event [20][21] Value-Added Services (VAS) - VAS revenue grew to **$10.8 billion**, representing **27%** of total revenues, with strong growth in the low to mid-20s percentage range [40][41] - The VAS business includes portfolios such as issuing solutions, acceptance solutions, risk and security solutions, and advisory services, all growing at double-digit rates [42] - Visa's acquisition of Pismo enhances its capabilities in issuer processing and expands its global reach [35][36] Financial Performance and Strategy Revenue and Pricing - Visa's guidance for FY2026 indicates revenue and expenses will grow in line, with pricing adjustments expected to benefit e-commerce and enhance the overall ecosystem [44][50] - The company is lowering interchange fees for merchants who adopt enhanced data and token services, aiming to reduce overall costs and fraud [53] Investment in Innovation - Visa is investing in emerging technologies such as stablecoins and agentic commerce, with stablecoin settlement transactions increasing to an annualized run rate of **$2.5 billion** [47][54] - The company has enabled **$140 billion** in crypto and stable transactions since 2020, indicating a strong monetization strategy [55] Competitive Positioning - Visa views stablecoins as an opportunity rather than a threat, as they can enhance payment digitization in markets where Visa has limited penetration [58][60] - The company emphasizes its strong network and product leadership as key advantages in the evolving payment landscape [62][64] Additional Insights - Visa's focus on maintaining a high margin profile in its VAS business, which is characterized by high growth and recurring revenue, positions it well for future profitability [40][41] - The company is committed to being a responsible steward of investments while ensuring shareholder interests are prioritized [49] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed during the Visa conference call, highlighting the company's strategic initiatives, financial performance, and market outlook.

Core Points - Visa and Mastercard have proposed a settlement in their long-standing legal dispute with merchants regarding interchange fees, which could affect consumer transactions at the point-of-sale [1][5] - The proposed settlement introduces changes to the "honor all cards" rule, allowing merchants to selectively accept different tiers of Visa and Mastercard products [2][5] Group 1: Legal Dispute and Settlement - Visa and Mastercard have been involved in litigation with a class-action group of merchants for nearly 20 years over interchange fees [1] - A previous settlement was rejected by the judge, prompting Visa and Mastercard to revise their proposal [1] Group 2: Impact on Merchants - The "honor all cards" rule requires merchants to accept all types of Visa and Mastercard products, which has caused frustration among merchants due to the higher costs associated with premium cards [2][3] - Premium cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Strata Elite, incur higher interchange fees for merchants, with the Visa Infinite card costing 15 basis points (0.15%) more than a mid-tier Visa Signature card [4] Group 3: Consumer Implications - Under the new settlement, merchants may choose to decline high-reward credit cards at checkout, potentially leading to denial for consumers using these cards [5] - Merchants could also impose surcharges on customers to offset the higher costs of accepting premium cards, affecting consumer behavior and preferences [5][6]

Core Insights - Visa Inc. has launched a pilot program for instant payouts in USD-backed stablecoins like USDC through its Visa Direct platform, targeting creators and gig workers for direct earnings transfer to crypto wallets [1][9] - The initiative aims to modernize payment systems by utilizing blockchain technology for faster and more efficient fund transfers, enhancing accessibility for the digital workforce [2][3] Group 1: Visa's Initiative - The pilot program allows platforms and marketplaces to send earnings to users' crypto wallets instantly, moving away from traditional slower methods [2] - This initiative represents a significant step in bridging traditional finance with digital currency, streamlining cross-border payouts and enhancing user trust in blockchain for real-world transactions [3] - A broader rollout of the program is expected in the second half of 2026, indicating Visa's commitment to payment innovation and addressing the demand for digital-first financial solutions [4][3] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Mastercard and American Express are also advancing in the stablecoin space, with Mastercard unveiling end-to-end capabilities for stablecoin transactions and joining the Global Dollar Network [5][6] - American Express has partnered with Coinbase for a crypto-linked credit card, indicating a more cautious approach to blockchain innovation compared to Visa's aggressive strategy [6] Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Visa's shares have increased by 7.2% year to date, outperforming the broader industry but lagging behind the S&P 500 Index [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 26.05X, higher than the industry average of 20.65, reflecting its premium valuation [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts an 11.7% rise in Visa's fiscal 2026 earnings year over year, followed by a 13.3% growth in the subsequent year [11]

Core Insights - Visa has launched a pilot program that utilizes dollar-backed stablecoins for paying gig workers, allowing direct payments into stablecoin wallets using cryptocurrencies like Circle's USDC [1] - The pilot is powered by Visa Direct, which enables money transfers to recipients in 30 minutes or less, and stablecoin capabilities were added to this service in September [2] - Visa is increasingly adopting crypto technologies, having over 4 billion account holders and more than 130 million participating merchants, and has formed partnerships with stablecoin companies to enhance its offerings [3][4] Partnerships and Collaborations - In April, Visa partnered with stablecoin company Bridge to allow fintech firms to issue Visa cards linked to stablecoin balances, following Bridge's acquisition by Stripe for $1.1 billion [3] - A partnership with Paxos was announced in July, integrating PayPal's PYUSD and USDG, a digital dollar from a consortium including Robinhood and Kraken, highlighting Visa's commitment to trusted and scalable stablecoins [4] Industry Context - The embrace of crypto and stablecoins by Visa and Mastercard coincides with recent US legislation that clarifies the conditions under which stablecoins can be issued, encouraging traditional financial institutions and fintech players to engage with blockchain technology [6] - Visa has updated its internal regulations to better align blockchain technology with existing payment systems, indicating a significant shift in operational capabilities compared to two years ago [7]

Core Insights - Visa is piloting a new stablecoin payout solution aimed at businesses that need to fund direct transfers with fiat currency, particularly targeting the gig economy and digital marketplaces [1][4] - The integration of stablecoin payouts is seen as a solution for global platforms that require efficient payment methods for users in different countries [2][7] - Traditional interbank payment systems create delays in cross-border transactions, while stablecoin payments can settle in seconds, enhancing the speed of transactions [3] Visa's Stablecoin Integration - The new stablecoin integration will be available through Visa's real-time payments network, Visa Direct, allowing companies like Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb to offer stablecoin payment options [4][5] - Visa emphasizes that this initiative aims to provide universal access to money quickly, benefiting freelancers and businesses operating across borders [5][8] Benefits for Emerging Markets - Stablecoin payouts are particularly advantageous in emerging markets, offering streamlined treasury management for platform operators and reducing exposure to volatile foreign exchange rates [8] - Recipients in these markets gain access to a stable store of value, which is crucial in regions with high financial exclusion rates, potentially providing new opportunities for unbanked workers [8]

Core Insights - Visa Inc. has launched a pilot program allowing businesses to send payouts directly to recipients' stablecoin wallets, enhancing the speed and accessibility of global payouts [1][3] - The pilot enables businesses to fund payouts in fiat currency while recipients can receive funds in USD-backed stablecoins like USDC, catering to creators, freelancers, and marketplaces [1][6] Group 1: Pilot Program Details - The pilot program aims to provide universal access to money in minutes, benefiting creators, businesses, and freelancers by facilitating faster and more flexible money movement [2][6] - Visa Direct's latest pilot allows U.S. platforms and businesses to send payouts directly to users' stablecoin wallets, eliminating the need for traditional banking methods [6][7] - The program is designed to support consumers in underbanked regions, offering a stable store of value and near-instant access to funds [6][8] Group 2: Market Research and Demand - According to the Visa 2025 Creator Report, 57% of digital content creators prefer digital payment methods for instant access to funds, highlighting the demand for faster payment solutions [2] - The pilot is expected to expand access with a broader rollout planned for the second half of 2026 as client demand grows and regulatory frameworks advance [6][8] Group 3: Advantages of Stablecoin Payouts - Stablecoin payouts provide increased transparency, as every transaction is permanently logged on the blockchain, supporting auditability and compliance [6] - The consistent, USD-pegged value of stablecoins helps establish predictability for recipients, allowing them to hold, spend, or convert their stablecoins flexibly [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - Visa is testing a system that allows businesses to send payments directly to stablecoin wallets, enhancing payment efficiency for creators, freelancers, and gig workers, particularly in cross-border scenarios [1][2]. Group 1: Payment System Overview - The new payment system enables funds to be delivered in dollar-backed stablecoins, such as USDC from Circle Internet [1]. - The pilot program allows businesses to fund payouts in fiat currency, while recipients can opt to receive payments in stablecoins [2]. Group 2: Target Audience and Benefits - The initiative specifically targets creators, freelancers, and gig workers who often experience delays in accessing their pay, especially when working internationally [2]. - Visa emphasizes that this move expands access to money for individuals in countries with unstable currencies or limited banking infrastructure [3]. Group 3: Transparency and Recordkeeping - Transactions conducted through this system are recorded on public blockchains, which enhances transparency and simplifies recordkeeping [3]. Group 4: Future Plans and Vision - Chris Newkirk, president of Commercial & Money Movement Solutions at Visa, stated that the goal is to enable universal access to money quickly, benefiting various stakeholders including creators and businesses [4]. - Visa plans to roll out this system more broadly in 2026, contingent on evolving regulatory frameworks and increasing client demand [5].

Industry Innovation - Visa launched a pilot program allowing US businesses to fund payouts in fiat currency [1] - Recipients will receive stablecoins in their crypto wallets [1]