Visa announced a pilot program for USD-backed stablecoin payouts to gig workers and content creators with Visa Direct, revealed at the Singapore Fintech Festival on November 12, 2025.
The initiative accelerates financial access universally, impacting the gig economy by facilitating rapid, flexible payments amid increasing demand for seamless cross-border transactions.
Visa Pilots USDC Payments at Singapore Fintech Festival
Visa has initiated a pilot program using Visa Direct to facilitate USD-backed stablecoin payouts like USDC directly to gig workers’ wallets. Announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival, this move aims to provide faster and more accessible global payments.
This pilot is led by Visa Inc. through its Visa Direct team. Chris Newkirk, President, Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, stated the goal is to enable universal and fast money access globally via stablecoin technology.
Gig Workers to Benefit from Faster Cross-Border Payments
The pilot’s primary objective is to alleviate delays in cross-border payments faced by gig workers. Initial industry reaction suggests potential benefits in solving long-standing payout issues, although further regulatory clarity will be necessary moving forward.
This initiative depends on favorable regulatory conditions and could lead to expanded use of USD-backed stablecoins. Historical trends show that similar projects have catalyzed increases in stablecoin use and improved financial inclusion in gig economies.
Visa’s Role in Mainstream Stablecoin Adoption
Comparable initiatives, like Circle and Stripe’s stablecoin payout solutions, highlight the significance of Visa’s global network in mainstream adoption. Such initiatives generally increase short-term stablecoin use and support institutional acceptance.
Experts suggest Visa’s pilot could reinforce stablecoins’ role in democratizing financial access. If successful, this could emulate past transitions where payment networks supported stablecoin adoption, bolstering both the gig economy and digital asset ecosystems.
Chris Newkirk, President, Money Movement Solutions at Visa, aptly summarized the initiative: “Whether it’s a creator building a digital brand, a business reaching new global markets or a freelancer working across borders, everyone benefits from faster, more flexible money movement.” PR Newswire
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