Visa Launches Global Stablecoins Advisory Practice as Digital Payments Expand

Rabat – Visa has announced the launch of a new Stablecoins Advisory Practice, signaling a deeper push into blockchain-based payments as stablecoins gain traction across the global financial system.

The initiative sits within Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) and is designed to help banks, fintechs, merchants, and businesses navigate strategy, market fit, and real-world implementation of stablecoin technology.

The move comes as the stablecoin market surpasses a $250 billion market capitalization, reflecting growing confidence in digital assets that are pegged to traditional currencies.

Visa said its own settlement activity involving stablecoins has accelerated rapidly, reaching an annualized run rate of $3.5 billion as of November 30, underscoring the increasing use of these assets in payment flows.

Through the new advisory practice, Visa aims to provide practical guidance rather than abstract experimentation.

Clients will be supported in assessing whether stablecoins make sense for their operations, identifying viable use cases, and integrating the technology into existing payment infrastructure as regulatory frameworks continue to take shape.

Several early participants highlighted the strategic value of the offering. Navy Federal Credit Union said it is exploring how stablecoins could enhance payment speed and reduce costs for its 15 million members, while Pathward described the engagement as delivering actionable insights for financial institutions considering innovation in this space.

From strategy to execution in a rapidly evolving market

According to Visa, the Stablecoins Advisory Practice will draw on VCA’s global network of consultants, data scientists, and payments specialists.

The services span training programs, including a new Visa University course focused on stablecoins, as well as market entry planning, use case sizing, and go-to-market strategy development.

Technical enablement is also a core pillar, helping clients integrate stablecoins into their payment systems in a compliant and scalable way.

Carl Rutstein, global head of Visa Consulting & Analytics, said the demand reflects a broader shift in how organizations approach digital payments.

“Having a comprehensive stablecoins strategy is critical in today’s digital landscape,” he said, noting that clients are looking for trusted guidance as the pace of change accelerates.

Visa’s advisory expansion builds on several years of hands-on involvement with blockchain-based payments.

In 2023, the company became one of the first major payment networks to pilot stablecoin settlement using USDC. Since then, Visa has rolled out more than 130 stablecoin-linked card programs across over 40 countries.

The company is also expanding its Visa Direct capabilities, with new pilots allowing qualified businesses in certain jurisdictions to pre-fund cross-border payments using stablecoins and send payouts directly to individuals’ stablecoin wallets.

These developments point to Visa’s view of stablecoins not as a fringe innovation, but as a complementary layer within the existing payments ecosystem.