Core Insights - Visa has launched its Stablecoin Advisory Practice to assist financial institutions, fintechs, and merchants in deploying stablecoin technology [2][9] - The advisory service includes training, market trend programs, use case sizing, strategy development, and technology enablement for stablecoin integration [2][3] - The initiative aims to help banks identify preferred stablecoin use cases while Visa seeks to protect its competitive advantage in the evolving payment landscape [5][8] Industry Developments - Navy Federal Credit Union, Vystar Credit Union, and Pathward are the first financial institutions to engage with Visa's advisory service [3][9] - Other banks, such as U.S. Bank and St. Cloud Financial Credit Union, are exploring stablecoin issuance and deployment strategies [6][5] - The growing interest in stablecoins is driven by their potential to enhance payment speed and reduce costs, prompting financial institutions to evaluate their broader strategies [4][5] Competitive Landscape - Visa's advisory service is seen as a move to maintain its competitive edge as stablecoins and agentic commerce could disrupt traditional payment systems [7][8] - The company is actively developing new use cases for stablecoins on its Visa Direct platform, including prefunding pilots and payouts to gig workers [8] - The rapid evolution of the stablecoin market necessitates that Visa stays informed and involved to safeguard its network's relevance [7][9]

Core Insights - Visa Inc. is expanding its role in digital assets by launching a stablecoin advisory practice to assist organizations in evaluating the integration of stablecoins into their payment and treasury operations [1][2] Group 1: Advisory Practice Overview - The new Stablecoins Advisory Practice is part of Visa Consulting & Analytics, aimed at guiding clients on market fit, strategy, technology, and implementation of stablecoins [2] - The initiative is a response to increasing demand from financial institutions for practical methods to incorporate stablecoins into their existing systems [2] Group 2: Market Dynamics and Regulatory Environment - Interest in stablecoins has surged following the passage of the GENIUS Act, which established a regulatory framework for dollar-pegged digital assets in the U.S. [3] - Payment companies and banks are transitioning from experimental phases to real-world applications of stablecoins, with Visa's advisory clients exploring use cases such as cross-border payments and B2B transactions [3] Group 3: Client Engagement and Growth Potential - The advisory practice is already serving dozens of clients, including Navy Federal Credit Union and Pathward, with expectations of expanding to hundreds of clients as adoption increases in both traditional finance and fintech [4] - Some clients may proceed with stablecoin implementations, while others may determine there is no immediate customer demand [4] Group 4: Visa's Existing Stablecoin Activities - Visa has prior experience with stablecoins, having piloted stablecoin settlement using USDC in 2023 and currently supporting over 130 stablecoin-linked card programs across more than 40 countries [5] - The annualized stablecoin settlement volume for Visa has reached approximately $3.5 billion, indicating a shift from pilot programs to production-level usage [5]