Visa Partners With BVNK to Enable Stablecoin Payouts on Visa Direct

Core Insights - Visa has partnered with BVNK to enable stablecoin-funded payouts through Visa Direct, expanding payment options beyond traditional fiat systems [1][2] - The partnership allows select business customers to pre-fund payouts using stablecoins and send them directly to recipients' stablecoin wallets [2] - Visa's global head of product highlighted the advantages of stablecoins for global payments, particularly their operational capabilities during non-banking hours [3] Group 1: Partnership Details - The collaboration will initially focus on markets with high demand for digital asset payments, with plans for further expansion based on customer needs and regulatory approval [2] - Visa's venture arm previously invested in BVNK, indicating a strategic relationship that has been developing since last May [5] - Visa began piloting stablecoin wallet payouts in November, allowing fiat payments to settle in dollar-pegged stablecoins, with wider access expected by the second half of 2026 [5] Group 2: Industry Implications - The integration of stablecoins is seen as a potential disruptor to traditional banking systems, shifting the focus from speed and efficiency to compliance and trust [4] - Payment networks will play a crucial role in determining which stablecoins gain traction, but the underlying infrastructure's reliability will be a key factor in their success [4] - The collaboration comes amid evolving regulatory frameworks for payment stablecoins in the U.S., such as the GENIUS Act [6]