The Motley Fool·2025-07-14 10:00Core Insights - Visa is currently valued at $680 billion and is projected to potentially reach a $2 trillion market cap by 2035, requiring a compound annual growth rate of 11.3% over the next decade [2][12] Business Model - Visa operates a complex payment network that connects merchants with issuing banks, facilitating transactions that are processed in seconds [4] - The company earns a small percentage from each transaction routed through its network, highlighting its revenue-generating model [5] Financial Performance - Visa has nearly 5 billion cards in circulation and supported approximately 316 billion transactions with a payment volume of $16.1 trillion in the year ending March 31 [6] - The company has maintained gross margins around 80% and net margins near 50%, showcasing its strong financial health [6][8] Growth Trends - From fiscal 2014 to fiscal 2024, Visa's revenue grew at a compound annual rate of nearly 11%, increasing from $12.7 billion to $35.9 billion, while net income rose at a compound annual rate of 13.8% [9] - The shift from cash to digital transactions is a significant driver of Visa's growth, with substantial opportunities remaining in cash and check transactions, which total about $12.5 trillion annually [10][11] Competitive Landscape - Visa benefits from a powerful network effect, allowing it to thrive despite competition from Mastercard and potential economic challenges [12]