Visa launches advisory unit to guide businesses on crypto

Visa is doubling down on its role in the future of digital payments with the launch of its Stablecoins Advisory Practice, a new service designed to help banks, fintechs, and businesses navigate the rapidly expanding stablecoin market.

As stablecoins reach a market cap of $250 billion, Visa is putting its considerable weight behind the rapidly growing sector.

On Monday, December 15, the payments company announced the launch of its Stablecoins Advisory Practice, a new offering from its Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) division. With stablecoin adoption surging and a market cap now exceeding $250 billion, Visa is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving digital payment ecosystem.

The new service is designed to assist banks, fintech companies, merchants, and businesses of all sizes in developing stablecoin strategies. By leveraging Visa’s expertise, clients will receive actionable insights on everything from market trends to technology integration and regulatory compliance. As the global payments industry increasingly turns to blockchain-based solutions, Visa’s advisory practice helps businesses navigate the complexities of this emerging space.

“Stablecoins may represent an opportunity to enhance speed and lower cost in payments, so with the support of Visa, we are evaluating how this technology could fit into our broader strategy to deliver meaningful value to our 15 million members worldwide,” said Matt Freeman, senior vice president, Navy Federal Credit Union.

Visa is not new to the stablecoin scene. The company made headlines in 2023 as one of the first major payments networks to pilot stablecoin settlement using USDC.

Now, Visa is further expanding its stablecoin footprint with more than 130 stablecoin-linked card programs in over 40 countries. Visa Direct, the company’s cross-border payment service, will soon allow businesses in select markets to use stablecoins for pre-funding payments and direct payouts.

Among the services offered by Visa’s Stablecoins Advisory Practice are specialized training programs, stablecoin strategy development, market entry planning, and use case analysis. The practice also provides technology enablement to support businesses integrating stablecoins into their operations.

With stablecoins gaining traction as a potential alternative to traditional currencies, Visa’s new advisory practice offers a timely opportunity for companies to better understand the technology and how it can help modernize payments.

Between launching a stablecoin payouts pilot and partnering with Aquanow, Visa is positioning itself as a trusted partner in this rapidly evolving space, helping businesses unlock the next wave of growth in the digital economy.