Visa Launches USDC Settlement on Solana for U.S. Banks – Bridging Traditional Finance and Blockchain

Visa announced the rollout of a new service enabling select U.S. banks to settle VisaNet payments directly in USDC stablecoin on the Solana blockchain.

Partner banks including Cross River Bank and Lead Bank can now process transactions with near-instant, 24/7 settlement—marking a significant step in integrating regulated stablecoins into mainstream payment rails. This U.S. expansion builds on Visa’s global pilot program, which reached an annualized run rate of $3.5 billion by late November 2025. Everyday cardholders experience no changes, while participating banks gain faster liquidity management and operational efficiency. Visa plans a broader U.S. rollout through 2026, positioning the initiative as a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain for accelerated global money movement.

How Visa’s USDC Settlement on Solana Works

The service allows approved financial institutions to convert fiat to USDC, settle Visa transactions on-chain via Solana, and reconvert to fiat as needed—all seamlessly within Visa’s existing network. Solana’s high throughput and low costs enable sub-second finality, contrasting with traditional batch processing delays.

• Partner Banks: Cross River Bank, Lead Bank (early adopters).
• Stablecoin Used: USDC (issued by Circle, fully reserved).
• Blockchain: Solana for speed and efficiency.
• Settlement Speed: Near-instant, 24/7 availability.
• User Impact: Transparent—no changes for consumers or merchants.

This setup maintains Visa’s central role while leveraging blockchain for backend improvements.

Background on Visa’s Stablecoin Pilot and Growth

Visa has been testing stablecoin settlements since 2024, initially on Ethereum before expanding to Solana for performance advantages. The global pilot’s $3.5 billion annualized run rate demonstrates real-world traction, primarily in cross-border and B2B flows. The U.S. launch focuses on domestic efficiency, with plans for wider adoption.

• Pilot Milestone: $3.5B annualized volume by November 2025.
• Chain Choice: Solana for scalability over Ethereum.
• Regulatory Alignment: Compliant with U.S. banking and stablecoin rules.
• Expansion Timeline: Broader U.S. rollout throughout 2026.

Benefits for Banks and the Broader Financial System

Participating institutions gain:

• Faster Liquidity: Instant access vs. multi-day clearing.
• Cost Reduction: Lower fees on high-volume transfers.
• Operational Simplicity: Streamlined reconciliation.
• Global Reach: 24/7 capabilities for international partners.

For the ecosystem, this normalizes stablecoins as settlement layers, potentially accelerating tokenized payments and reducing reliance on legacy rails.

• Bank Advantages: Enhanced treasury management.
• Merchant/Consumer: Unchanged experience, backend upgrades.
• Systemic Impact: Bridges TradFi with blockchain efficiency.

Broader Implications for Stablecoins and Blockchain Adoption

Visa’s move validates stablecoins as enterprise-grade infrastructure, complementing efforts from PayPal, Stripe, and bank pilots under frameworks like the GENIUS Act. Solana’s selection highlights its growing role in real-world finance beyond DeFi speculation.

• Stablecoin Momentum: USDC volume surges with institutional use cases.
• Solana Strength: Preferred for speed in payment applications.
• 2026 Outlook: Potential for wider bank adoption and volume growth.
• Competitive Landscape: Challenges offshore issuers with regulated alternatives.

In summary, Visa’s December 18, 2025, launch of USDC settlement on Solana for U.S. banks like Cross River and Lead—building on a $3.5B pilot—advances blockchain integration in traditional payments with instant, 24/7 capabilities. As rollout expands in 2026, it underscores stablecoins’ maturation for efficient global money movement. Monitor Visa announcements and partner updates for developments in this evolving convergence of finance and blockchain.