Visa is accelerating its strategy to integrate stablecoins and artificial intelligence into global payment infrastructure, targeting the growing economy of creators, freelancers and gig workers who demand faster and more flexible ways to get paid. The company is building tools that enable direct digital payments in dollar-backed stablecoins through its Visa Direct platform, reducing dependence on traditional banking systems that often delay transfers for days. Mark Nelsen, head of product for Visa Commercial Money Solutions, said the new approach responds to a fundamental shift in how global earners interact with money. “The technology is too efficient,” he said. “It’s just right for this type of deployment.” By connecting blockchain rails to Visa’s existing payment network, the company aims to bridge the gap between traditional financial infrastructure and the digital-first workforce that increasingly operates outside of it.
The move underscores Visa’s recognition that stablecoins are becoming essential in regions where volatile currencies and limited banking access hinder economic participation. Millions of independent earners and micro-entrepreneurs in emerging markets rely on fast, reliable income flows, and stablecoins provide a way to move value instantly without exposure to currency risk. According to Nelsen, over 30 million creators worldwide face delays that can disrupt cash flow, affect rent and vendor payments, and create financial stress. Visa’s model allows payments in digital dollars to settle directly into user wallets, removing intermediaries and minimizing friction in cross-border transfers. Stablecoins, he added, are no longer experimental instruments but efficient settlement tools for high-frequency, low-cost global commerce.
Visa’s expansion is part of a broader multirail strategy combining card networks, ACH, wires, and blockchain settlement layers under one architecture. The company is also leveraging AI-driven “agent tools” to help creators manage brand deals, track payments, and reconcile transactions across multiple platforms without formal business structures. These intelligent systems analyze transaction patterns, optimize liquidity management, and provide predictive insights into income trends. Nelsen emphasized that the company’s role is not to choose a single stablecoin issuer but to remain neutral, ensuring interoperability and flexibility. “We’re not trying to pick favorites,” he said. “We just want to give users as much choice and optionality as possible.”
Industry experts say Visa’s stablecoin initiatives could redefine how real-time global payments function by offering seamless integration between fiat and digital currencies. With more than 11 billion endpoints already connected to its network, Visa’s reach positions it as a central player in bridging traditional and decentralized finance. While banks are still determining how to participate in this evolving ecosystem, Visa’s neutrality and technical infrastructure give it a strategic advantage. Its combination of AI-powered tools and stablecoin payments could mark a new phase in financial accessibility for global earners and creators who were once excluded from efficient payment systems.
