Visa has introduced USDC settlement capabilities on the Solana blockchain for financial institutions operating in the United States. Cross River Bank and Lead Bank have become the first participants in this program, which the payments giant expects to scale across its network during 2026.
The new infrastructure enables banks to transfer funds through stablecoin channels rather than relying on conventional banking rails. Both Cross River and Lead Bank have started processing transactions with Visa using USDC on Solana, eliminating traditional five-day settlement periods in favor of continuous, 24/7 operations.
This development follows Circle's October launch of Arc, its layer-1 blockchain, on public testnet. The project has attracted support from more than 100 partners, including major financial institutions like Visa, Mastercard, BlackRock, and Goldman Sachs. Visa functions as a design partner for Arc and plans to run a validator node while utilizing the network for USDC settlements within its payment systems.
According to Rubail Birwadker, Visa's global head of growth products and strategic partnerships, financial institutions are seeking faster, programmable settlement solutions that integrate seamlessly with their current treasury workflows. The company recognizes that embracing stablecoin technology is essential to maintaining competitiveness as digital assets capture increasing market share in international payment flows.
To support broader adoption, Visa established a Stablecoins Advisory Practice on December 15. This specialized unit assists banks, merchants, and fintech companies in designing and deploying stablecoin products, offering expertise on implementing and managing digital dollar services across various business applications.
The payment processor's stablecoin expansion has been geographically ambitious. On November 27, Visa extended stablecoin settlement capabilities to Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa through a partnership with Aquanow, a crypto infrastructure provider. This collaboration focuses on lowering costs, reducing operational complexity, and shortening settlement timeframes by processing transactions with vetted stablecoins, including USDC.
Additionally, Visa initiated a pilot program on November 12 that enables stablecoin payouts directly to user wallets in the United States. This service allows businesses to distribute payments in dollar-backed digital assets from accounts funded with traditional fiat currency. The company is currently onboarding selected partners, with plans to broaden access throughout 2026.
Visa's stablecoin activity has demonstrated substantial growth. Monthly stablecoin transaction volumes across its network have reached an annual run rate of $3.5 billion based on data from November 30. The company's exploration of USDC settlement dates back to 2021, with formal global pilot programs launching in 2023.
Gilles Gade, founder and CEO of Cross River Bank, observed that fintech and cryptocurrency innovators are increasingly demanding stablecoin functionality within their existing product offerings. He characterized unified platforms that support both stablecoins and traditional payment networks as essential infrastructure for global value transfer.
The move represents a significant step in bridging traditional finance with blockchain-based payment systems, potentially reshaping how financial institutions handle cross-border transactions and settlements.
šØJUST IN: VISA ADDS USDC VIA SOLANA! Visa will allow U.S. institutions to settle transactions using Circleās $USDC on the #Solana blockchain. Ā Show more
Coinasity's Take
Visa's deployment of USDC settlements on Solana marks a pivotal moment in mainstream stablecoin adoption. The involvement of established banks like Cross River and Lead Bank signals that stablecoin infrastructure is moving beyond experimental phases into operational reality. With $3.5 billion in annual stablecoin volume already flowing through Visa's network and aggressive expansion plans for 2026, traditional finance is clearly betting on blockchain rails as a core component of future payment infrastructure. The establishment of a dedicated advisory practice further demonstrates Visa's commitment to positioning itself as a bridge between legacy banking and digital asset ecosystems.
DISCLAIMER
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments involve substantial risk and extreme volatility - never invest money you cannot afford to lose completely. The author may hold positions in the cryptocurrencies mentioned, which could bias the presented information. Always conduct your own research and consider consulting a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
About Arnas B
Blockchain Researcher & Developer | 8+ Years Crypto Market Experience
Seasoned cryptocurrency researcher and blockchain developer with deep expertise in protocol analysis, smart contract development, and market insights since 2017. Specializes in emerging blockchain technologies, DeFi ecosystems, and cryptocurrency market trends. Combines technical development skills with comprehensive market research to deliver actionable insights for the digital asset space.
