Visa’s stablecoin settlement hits $20B run rate, launches onchain lending program

Visa has reported that its stablecoin settlement volume has surged to a $20 billion annualized run rate, a 15-fold increase year-over-year, and is now launching a program to connect blockchain lenders with the card issuers fueling this growth.

The payments giant is leveraging the transaction data from its VisaNet network to create a new onchain lending initiative. This program aims to provide blockchain-based lenders with verified data on the stablecoin settlement activity of card-issuing banks and fintechs, enabling them to extend working capital loans.

The move seeks to address a common challenge for lenders in decentralized finance (DeFi): assessing the creditworthiness of potential borrowers. By providing trusted, offchain data from its vast payment network, Visa intends to bridge traditional finance with onchain credit markets.

The initiative is part of Visa’s broader strategy to deepen its integration with blockchain technology, having already established stablecoin settlement partnerships with major issuers like Circle and Solana. The explosive growth in its settlement volume underscores the increasing institutional use of stablecoins for cross-border payments.