In a groundbreaking move, Visa is supercharging its digital payment infrastructure by expanding stablecoin support to four major coins and integrating two high-performance blockchains—Avalanche and Stellar. This strategic upgrade promises faster, cheaper, and more flexible global transactions for millions of users. Here’s what you need to know.
Why is Visa expanding stablecoin support?
Visa’s latest update adds three new stablecoins to its settlement platform:
- PayPal USD (PYUSD)
- USDG
- EURC (Circle’s euro-backed stablecoin)
These join Visa’s existing stablecoin support, bringing the total to four across four different blockchains. The inclusion of EURC is particularly significant as it diversifies settlement options beyond dollar-pegged stablecoins.
How Avalanche and Stellar blockchains enhance Visa’s network
The addition of these two blockchains brings distinct advantages:
| Blockchain | Key Benefit | Transaction Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Avalanche | High throughput | 4,500 TPS |
| Stellar | Low-cost cross-border | 1,000 TPS |
What this means for global payments
Visa’s Rubail Birwadker explains this creates “a multi-coin and multi-chain foundation” that will:
- Reduce settlement times from days to minutes
- Lower transaction costs for partners
- Support settlements in 25+ fiat currencies
- Provide greater liquidity options
The growing role of stablecoins in mainstream finance
With Paxos ensuring compliance, Visa’s move signals accelerating institutional adoption of stablecoins. The platform now handles:
- Dollar and euro-pegged stablecoins
- Multiple reserve-backed options
- Cross-chain interoperability
This expansion positions Visa at the forefront of blockchain-powered payments, offering partners unprecedented flexibility in global money movement. As stablecoin adoption grows, such integrations bridge traditional finance with digital asset innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stablecoins does Visa now support?
Visa supports four stablecoins: PayPal USD (PYUSD), USDG, EURC, and its previously supported stablecoin (likely USDC).
Why did Visa choose Avalanche and Stellar?
These blockchains offer complementary benefits—Avalanche provides high throughput for scalability, while Stellar specializes in low-cost cross-border transactions.
How does EURC stablecoin differ from others?
EURC is euro-backed (rather than dollar-pegged), offering European partners native currency settlement options.
When will these changes take effect?
The expanded support is live as of Visa’s July 31, 2025 announcement, with gradual rollout to partners.
Does this mean I can pay with stablecoins using my Visa card?
This currently applies to institutional settlement rather than consumer payments, but may lead to future consumer-facing products.
