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According to two separate announcements at Sibos, Visa is making a decisive push into two of the fastest-moving frontiers of financial technology — stablecoins and artificial intelligence — as it looks to upgrade both cross-border and commercial payments.
The US card giant has confirmed plans to pilot the use of pre-funded stablecoins on its Visa Direct platform, a move aimed at stripping friction out of international money movement.
Cross-Border Payouts
Visa modernisation bets
Traditionally, cross-border payouts rely on cumbersome correspondent banking networks and pre-funded nostro accounts. By contrast, Visa intends to let institutions load stablecoins into its system as a source of upfront liquidity, treating them “like money in the bank”.
Chris Newkirk, president of commercial and money movement solutions at Visa, said global payments had long been “stuck in outdated systems”.
He argued the new model would “lay the groundwork for money to move instantly across the world, giving businesses more choice in how they pay”.
Under the pilot, businesses would be able to pre-fund Visa Direct with stablecoins, which the company would then convert into local currencies for payouts.
The aim is to provide institutions with faster access to liquidity, more efficient capital management, and a flexible alternative to fiat pre-funding. The trial is expected to move into limited availability by April 2026.
Corporate Payments and Embedded Finance
In parallel, Visa is rolling out its Visa Commercial Solutions (VCS) Hub, a platform designed to streamline corporate payments and embedded finance.
The hub, tested in pilot before general release, promises automation across the payables cycle — from invoice settlement to ad hoc supplier payments — as well as seamless integration with accounting software.
A distinguishing feature of the VCS Hub is the integration of generative artificial intelligence.
Visa says AI-driven tools will support payables, reporting, insights, and personalisation, allowing issuers and fintech partners to deliver tailored commercial payment experiences.
According to Gloria Colgan, global head of product for Visa Commercial Solutions, the hub is about equipping partners “to amaze their clients, unlock new revenue streams and shape the future of money movement”.
Together, the initiatives reflect Visa’s determination to ensure its network remains at the centre of the digital payments ecosystem.
Stablecoins offer the promise of real-time settlement across borders, while AI has the potential to transform how businesses manage cashflow and supplier relationships.
By targeting both ends of the spectrum — liquidity management for international payouts and automation in corporate payments — Visa is positioning itself to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting financial landscape.
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