On Wednesday, Visa announced the launch of a new pilot that leverages dollar-backed stablecoins to pay gig workers. The pilot lets marketplaces pay recipients in the US directly into their stablecoin wallets, using cryptocurrencies such as Circle’s USDC. “Launching stablecoin payouts is about enabling truly universal access to money in minutes — not days — for anyone, anywhere in the world,” said Chris Newkirk, Visa’s president of commercial and money movement solutions. The pilot is powered by the paym ...

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]

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has designated the Self-Regulated PSO Association (SRPA) as a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) for payment system operators (PSOs). In a formal statement, the central bank said: “An application was received from ‘Self-Regulated PSO Association (SRPA)’ seeking to serve as an SRO for PSOs. The application has been duly considered and it has been decided to recognise SRPA as an SRO for PSOs.” This development builds on the RBI’s earlier introduction of regulatory guidelines ...

Core Insights - Circle Internet Group, Inc. reported strong financial results for Q3 2025, highlighting significant growth in revenue and net income, driven by the increasing adoption of USDC and the launch of the Arc public testnet [3][4][5]. Financial Highlights - Total revenue and reserve income reached $740 million, a 66% increase year-over-year [4][5]. - Net income from continuing operations was $214 million, reflecting a 202% year-over-year increase [4][5]. - Adjusted EBITDA was $166 million, up 78% year-over-year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 57% [4][5][10]. - USDC in circulation grew to $73.7 billion, marking a 108% increase year-over-year [5][6]. Corporate & Commercial Highlights - The Arc public testnet was launched with participation from over 100 companies across various sectors, indicating strong interest in programmable financial infrastructure [3][5][10]. - Circle is exploring the launch of a native token on the Arc network to enhance network participation and adoption [10][11]. - The Circle Payments Network (CPN) expanded to include 29 financial institutions, with 500 more in the pipeline, demonstrating growing commercial partnerships [5][16]. Key Operating Indicators - Average USDC in circulation was $67.8 billion, a 97% increase year-over-year [6]. - The stablecoin market share reached 29%, up 643 basis points [6]. - The number of meaningful wallets holding USDC increased to 6.3 million, a 77% growth [6]. Recent Developments - Reserve income increased to $711 million, a 60% year-over-year growth, primarily due to the rise in average USDC circulation [10][22]. - Other revenue surged to $29 million, up from $1 million year-over-year, driven by subscription and services revenue [10][22]. - Total distribution, transaction, and other costs rose to $448 million, a 74% increase year-over-year, reflecting higher distribution payments due to increased USDC circulation [10][22].

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]

Visa is testing a system that lets businesses send payments directly to stablecoin wallets instead of to a card or bank account, the company announced Wednesday at Web Summit in Lisbon. Funds are delivered in dollar-backed stablecoins, such as Circle Internet's (CRCL) USDC, Visa said. The pilot targets creators, freelancers and gig workers who often face delays in accessing their pay, especially when working across borders. Businesses can fund the payouts in fiat currency, while recipients choose to rece ...

The Netherlands-based payments firm Adyen has outlined new financial objectives at its recent investor day, signalling a push for profitability and revenue growth. In a release, the company said that it sees “a significant long-term opportunity to gain market share in a rapidly growing industry". Adyen anticipates that much of its future growth will come from increased business with current customers, as well as attracting new clients and building out its range of financial products. From 2026 onwards, ...

Core Insights - The Web Summit has evolved from a small startup event in 2015 to a major global technology conference, highlighting the rapid changes in the tech landscape over the past decade [2] - The event attracted 70,000 attendees from 75 countries, including government representatives, entrepreneurs, and tech investors, marking a significant increase in participation [2] - The founder of Web Summit emphasized the rise of Chinese AI models and Brazil's PIX payment system as key examples of global shifts in technology and finance, challenging the dominance of Western tech companies [3][4] Technology and Innovation - The emergence of advanced humanoid robots and leading AI models from China was showcased, indicating a shift in technological leadership [3] - The PIX payment system from Brazil is described as revolutionary and free, posing a challenge to existing Western payment systems [4] - The decline of German startups at the Web Summit contrasts with the rise of Polish startups, indicating a shift in the entrepreneurial landscape within Europe [4][5] Economic and Cultural Shifts - Lisbon is positioning itself as a hub for innovation and culture, with significant growth in tech companies and job creation [7][8] - The city has seen the establishment of 16 unicorns and 82 tech companies, contributing to over 16,000 jobs [8] - The mayor of Lisbon highlighted the importance of social justice and cultural integration in fostering innovation [9][10] Future Outlook - Portugal aims to become a global innovation hub, leveraging technology to enhance governance and create opportunities [11][12] - The government is investing in digital infrastructure and skills training to prepare citizens for a tech-driven future [12][13] - The establishment of an AI super factory in Portugal is seen as a response to the dominance of Silicon Valley, aiming to enhance Europe's digital sovereignty [13]

Core Insights - Global Payments (GPN) is considered a Strong Buy due to its robust fundamentals and significant capital, regardless of the Worldpay deal [1] Company Research - The analyst has over 10 years of experience researching companies across various sectors, including commodities and technology [1] - The analyst has researched over 1000 companies, which enhances the quality of insights provided [1] - The focus has shifted to a value investing-oriented YouTube channel, indicating a commitment to sharing in-depth company analyses [1] Industry Focus - The analyst expresses a preference for covering metals and mining stocks but is also comfortable with other sectors such as consumer discretionary/staples, REITs, and utilities [1]

Core Insights - The article presents Juniper Research's Top 10 Fintech & Payments Trends for 2026, highlighting significant technological and market shifts that will transform financial services in the coming year [2][3] Group 1: Key Trends - Stablecoins are expected to compete with the existing interbank settlement layer, indicating a shift in how transactions are processed [4] - Agentic AI is set to reshape both B2B and consumer purchasing, enhancing the efficiency and personalization of commerce [4] - The EUDI Wallet will redefine digital identity in Europe, streamlining identity verification processes [4] - Tokenized assets are anticipated to enter the mainstream, broadening investment opportunities and asset management [4] - Generative AI (GenAI) is projected to transform banking operations, improving customer service and operational efficiency [4] - Flexible credentials are expected to drive a renaissance in payment cards, offering consumers more options and security [4] - Investment in AI fraud prevention is likely to rise due to increasing threats from deepfake technologies [4] - The "Pay by Bank" method is expected to scale in the UK through commercial Variable Recurring Payments (VRPs), enhancing payment convenience [4] - No-code Anti-Money Laundering (AML) solutions are anticipated to extend beyond traditional banks, democratizing compliance tools [4] - Virtual cards are predicted to gain traction within travel payments, providing travelers with enhanced security and convenience [4]