Visa Unveils Global Stablecoins Advisory Practice
- Visa’s new VCA advisory guides clients on stablecoin strategy, readiness, and execution.
- The practice emphasizes market fit, technical integration, and measured adoption.
- Early clients use VCA to assess stablecoin value without committing to deployment.
Visa has announced a new Stablecoins Advisory Practice through Visa Consulting & Analytics, offering structured guidance on stablecoin strategy and implementation. The global launch targets banks, fintechs, merchants, and businesses seeking payment modernization. The move responds to rising stablecoin use, regulatory clarity, and Visa’s expanding settlement activity across multiple jurisdictions.
Advisory Practice Targets Strategy and Execution
The Stablecoins Advisory Practice is within Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA). Notably, the service focuses on market fit, strategy design, and technical execution. Visa said clients receive guidance on stablecoin training, use case sizing, and go-to-market planning. The practice also supports technology enablement for stablecoin integrations.
The stablecoin market now exceeds $300 billion, according to DefiLlama data. However, Visa cited internal measures showing accelerating settlement volumes. As of November 30, Visa’s stablecoin settlement reached a $3.5 billion annualized run rate. Demand for advisory support has increased among financial institutions.
To meet that demand, VCA draws on thousands of consultants, data scientists, and product specialists. Additionally, the practice introduces a new Visa University course focused on stablecoin infrastructure and market trends. Through these offerings, VCA aims to provide structured evaluation rather than promote adoption indiscriminately.
Early Clients Test Stablecoin Fit and Readiness
Several institutions have already engaged with the new advisory practice. Navy Federal Credit Union joined as an early participant. Matt Freeman, senior vice president, said the credit union is assessing how stablecoins could enhance payment speed and cost efficiency. He added that the evaluation aligns with services for its 15 million members.
Pathward also collaborated with Visa through the advisory program. Anthony Sharett, Pathward’s president, said Visa’s team delivered actionable recommendations. The engagement focused on practical assessment rather than deployment commitments. The work examined potential applications within existing financial services operations.
VyStar Credit Union participated as well. Lauren Morrison, vice president of payments products, said the advisory engagement improved internal understanding of stablecoin markets. She noted that access to Visa’s scale and crypto expertise shaped VyStar’s strategic review. Each institution used the advisory process to test alignment with member or customer needs.
Carl Rutstein, global head of Visa Consulting & Analytics, said the practice addresses client demand. However, he said some clients may decide stablecoins do not meet current requirements. The advisory scope includes strategy development, operational readiness, and technical architecture reviews.
Related: Visa Evaluates USDC Payroll to Transform Global Payments
Stablecoin Push Builds on Visa’s Prior Pilots
Visa’s advisory launch builds on several earlier stablecoin initiatives. In 2023, Visa piloted USDC settlement on blockchain networks. Since then, Visa has supported more than 130 stablecoin-linked card issuing programs across 40 countries. These programs connect stablecoins to existing card payment rails.
More recently, Visa Direct began testing stablecoin-based funding for cross-border payments. Under the pilot, qualified businesses can pre-fund transfers using stablecoins. They can then send payouts directly to individual stablecoin wallets. Visa said the system targets costly correspondent banking processes.
Regulatory developments also frame the advisory expansion. In the United States, President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act in July, establishing formal stablecoin issuance rules. Following that clarity, several institutions accelerated stablecoin strategies. PayPal and Mastercard expanded digital dollar services while large banks explored tokenized settlement tools.
Globally, stablecoin adoption continues to widen. Visa partnered with Yellow Card Financial to support stablecoin payments across 20 African countries. Meanwhile, Circle worked with Onafriq to connect stablecoins with wallets and bank accounts.
Visa’s advisory practice consolidates its consulting, data, and payments experience into a single offering. The service aligns with Visa’s ongoing stablecoin settlement pilots and card programs. The initiatives show structured engagement with stablecoins across strategy, infrastructure, and regulated payment use cases.
