Visa Taps Solana for USDC Settlements in US Banks

- Visa launches USDC settlement services for U.S. banks. - Cross River Bank and Lead Bank are first participants, using Solana for transactions. Visa launched USD Coin (USDC) settlement services for U.S. financial institutions on Dec. 16, 2025. This launch represents a groundbreaking shift in payment systems powered by stablecoin technology. In this initial phase, Cross River Bank and Lead Bank have begun settling transactions with Visa in USDC on the Solana blockchain. Through this initiative, institutions can move beyond traditional fiat settlements and leverage USDC’s speed and programmability for modern financial transactions. On Dec. 16, CoinDesk reported that Visa envisions this program as a cornerstone for integrating stablecoins into its payment network. The company plans to expand access to more U.S. banks in 2026, which aligns with its strategy to deliver faster, scalable, and highly programmable transaction solutions. Visa's adoption of Solana’s blockchain technology underscores its role in delivering high-speed settlements, while USDC provides the stability needed for routine financial transactions. Visa’s broader stablecoin strategy has yielded significant results. The company reported an annualized stablecoin settlement volume of $3.5 billion as of Nov. 30, 2025, which highlights the increasing importance of digital currencies in its operations. To expand its efforts, Visa introduced its Global Stablecoins Advisory Practice on Dec. 15, 2025. This practice targets banks, merchants, and fintechs that aim to develop their own stablecoin solutions. By collaborating with crypto infrastructure firm Aquanow, Visa has extended stablecoin settlements to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, emphasizing cost efficiency and reduced settlement times in international markets. Furthermore, Visa has partnered with Circle, the issuer of USDC, to develop the Arc blockchain and enhance its global operations. As part of its pilot programs, Visa began testing direct stablecoin payouts to user wallets in the U.S. in November 2025 and anticipates a widespread rollout in 2026. Recent market data shows that as of Dec. 16 at 15:02 UTC, Solana (SOL) was trading at $128.62. This represented a 1.27% increase in 24-hour trading volume. Meanwhile, USD Coin (USDC) has maintained its stable $1 value with minimal fluctuation in trading activity over the last 24 hours. These assets are central to Visa’s continued push to integrate blockchain technology within the modern payment landscape.