Stablecoin Delivery: How BVNK Supports Visa Direct Pilot
Visa and BVNK, a global provider of stablecoin infrastructure, have announced a strategic partnership that will see the fintech firm powering payments for the Visa Direct network.
The Visa and BVNK integration is designed to facilitate money movement across a network that manages approximately US$1.7t in transactions.
BVNK will help power stablecoin services in approved areas by enabling pre-funding capabilities for select business customers.
This allows these businesses to fund payouts using stablecoins instead of relying exclusively on fiat currency.
The partnership also enables payouts to end recipients in stablecoins, delivering digital dollars directly into user wallets.
By utilising this technology, the companies aim to meet a wider range of client needs and provide end users with more choice in how they access funds.
Industry perspectives on payment innovation
The rollout will focus on markets with high demand for digital asset payments before moving toward a broader global expansion based on customer requirements.
Mark Nelsen, Global Head of Product, Commercial & Money Movement solutions at Visa, says: “At Visa, we have a long history of embracing new technologies that modernise money movement.
“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.
“BVNK shares this vision, and that’s why we’re partnering with them to provide the reliable, trusted and necessary infrastructure needed to expand our Visa Direct stablecoin pilots.”
Advancing the Visa Direct Pilot programme
The current announcement represents a significant progression for the Visa Direct pilot programme which has sought to improve global payout speeds.
Initial stages of the pilot were focused on exploring how blockchain technology could settle merchant transactions more efficiently than legacy systems.
Previous developments involved testing the utility of various networks to move funds across borders without the typical delays of correspondent banking.
By integrating the stablecoin infrastructure of its partner, the pilot now moves into a phase of practical application for enterprise treasury management.
These earlier steps were essential in proving that digital assets could meet the rigorous compliance and security standards of a global payments leader.
Jesse Hemson-Struthers, CEO of BVNK, said: “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 partnership is unlocking a new layer of payment innovation where stablecoins will be embedded directly into the world’s most trusted payments network.
“It will give businesses and end consumers more choice in how and when they receive and send their funds. We’re excited to be partnering with Visa Direct to accelerate the adoption of stablecoin technology at scale.
“We believe we’re just at the start of transforming how money moves globally.”
Strengthening a strategic investment relationship
This partnership marks the next phase of a deepening relationship between the two financial entities.
In May 2025, Visa Ventures invested in BVNK to support its mission of building a stablecoin-powered financial stack.
The investment was part of a broader strategy to back companies that bridge the gap between traditional finance and the digital asset economy.
Securing a strategic stake in the fintech firm allowed the payments giant to align its roadmap with a specialist in blockchain-based money movement.
