Visa Partners with BVNK to Integrate Stablecoin Payments

TLDR

• Visa Direct processes $1.7 trillion annually.
• BVNK handles over $30 billion in stablecoin payments yearly.
• Partnership aims to enhance payment efficiency and access.

Visa and BVNK announced a partnership on January 14, 2026. The partnership aims to integrate stablecoin infrastructure into Visa Direct. This move will allow businesses to fund payments with stablecoins and send payouts directly to recipients’ digital wallets. The initiative will start in select markets.

Mark Nelsen, Visa’s Global Head of Product, Commercial & Money Movement solutions, views stablecoins as a key opportunity for global payments. Nelsen stated, “Stablecoins are an exciting opportunity for global payments, with enormous potential to reduce friction and expand access to faster, more efficient payment options – including during weekends, holidays and when banks are closed.” This partnership is part of Visa’s strategy to expand its stablecoin pilots.

BVNK’s Role in the Partnership

Jesse Hemson-Struthers, CEO of BVNK, leads the company in providing stablecoin infrastructure. BVNK processes over $30 billion in stablecoin payments each year. Hemson-Struthers expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “Visa and BVNK both believe in the transformational potential of stablecoin technology, not just as a payment method, but as a powerful layer of payments infrastructure.”

This collaboration will embed stablecoins into Visa’s payment network. Hemson-Struthers emphasizes the potential for payment innovation through this integration. As both companies align on the vision for stablecoin use, they aim to unlock new payment possibilities.

Strategic Investments

Visa Ventures made an early investment in BVNK in May 2025. While the specific investment amount was not disclosed, this financial commitment shows Visa’s dedication to the partnership. In addition, Citi Ventures strategically invested in BVNK. This further supports BVNK’s role in Visa’s stablecoin integration plans.

The partnership follows Visa’s ongoing involvement in stablecoin initiatives. Previous steps include plans to settle USDC on its network in 2021 and enabling USDC settlements for banks and institutions in December 2025. These actions indicate Visa’s gradual expansion into digital assets.

Scope of the Integration

The integration will focus on using stablecoins for pre-funding and payouts. Visa Direct, which processes $1.7 trillion annually, will play a central role in this initiative. However, no specific stablecoins, affected assets, or digital banking structures were named in the announcement.

Despite the lack of specific details, the integration emphasizes a general use of stablecoins. Visa and BVNK’s partnership aims to offer a trusted and reliable infrastructure. This is designed to expand their Visa Direct stablecoin pilots effectively.

Previous Stablecoin Involvement

Visa has shown a keen interest in stablecoins in previous years. In 2021, it announced plans to settle transactions using USDC. Another significant step came in December 2025. That year, Visa enabled USDC settlements for banks and financial institutions.

While the impact of these initiatives is not directly detailed, they form part of Visa’s expanding digital asset strategy. Visa’s gradual involvement in stablecoin initiatives positions it as a key player in the evolving landscape of digital payments.

Visa integrates stablecoin with BVNK for real-time payments.

BVNK to provide stablecoin infrastructure for Visa Direct pilot programs.