Visa Enables USDC Settlement for US Banks

Visa has launched a USDC settlement capability in the US, allowing issuer and acquirer partners to settle transactions using Circle’s USDC stablecoin for the first time.

Under the new framework, participating banks can settle with Visa in USDC, a fully reserved, dollar-denominated stablecoin, rather than relying solely on traditional fiat settlement rails.

Visa said the move is designed to improve the speed, flexibility, and resilience of settlement processes for banks, while leaving the consumer card experience unchanged.

The introduction of USDC settlement enables seven-day settlement windows, compared with the standard five-business-day cycle, giving banks faster access to funds and more predictable liquidity management across weekends and holidays. Visa said this could be particularly valuable for institutions supporting fintech clients with always-on business models.

The framework also aims to modernize treasury and liquidity management by supporting more automated, API-driven operations. In addition, Visa positioned the service as a bridge between traditional payment infrastructure and blockchain-based networks.

Initial banking participants include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank, both of which have begun settling with Visa in USDC over the Solana blockchain. Visa plans to expand availability to a broader group of US partners through 2026.

Lead Bank, a technology-focused community bank with a strong fintech client base, highlighted the increasing importance of seven-day settlement and clearer liquidity timing. Jackie Reses, chief executive of Lead Bank, said:  “This capability brings speed and precision to treasury operations and helps us deliver modern financial services to the communities we serve.”

Meanwhile, Cross River Bank, which provides embedded banking and payments infrastructure, emphasized the role of interoperability. Founder and chief executive Gilles Gade said:  “A unified platform that natively supports both stablecoins and traditional payment networks is the foundation for how value will move globally.”