Visa Launches Stablecoin Advisory Team as Onchain Dollars Gain Traction

Visa has announced the creation of a global Stablecoins Advisory Practice. This new unit aims to assist banks, merchants, and fintech companies in designing, launching, and managing stablecoin products.

Key Takeaways

Visa has launched a Stablecoins Advisory Practice to support the integration of stablecoins in various industries.
The initiative aims to address challenges faced by traditional financial players and provide resources for adopting stablecoin technology.
The shift towards stablecoins signals a growing recognition of their importance in payment systems, as evidenced by increased partnerships with major companies.
Stablecoins are starting to take on roles previously associated with Bitcoin, influencing market dynamics and perceptions of digital currencies.

Visa Launches Stablecoin Advisory Team as Onchain Dollars Gain Traction

Introduction to Visa's Stablecoins Advisory Practice

On Monday, Visa revealed its plans for a new advisory arm focused on stablecoins. This initiative seeks to tackle the pressing questions that traditional financial institutions face when considering stablecoin adoption. The advisory team will offer programs on market trends, go-to-market strategies, and technology solutions to help with the integration of stablecoins.

“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,” stated Matt Freedman, Senior Vice President at Navy Federal Credit Union.

The launch of this advisory practice signifies that stablecoins have become significant enough to warrant a dedicated business line in one of the world’s largest payment networks. Notably, Visa has been quietly developing its infrastructure for several years, including the operation of over 130 stablecoin-linked card programs across more than 40 countries and managing billions of dollars in annual USDC settlements on its network.

Visa has launched a global Stablecoins Advisory Practice. Source: Visa

A Shift Towards Stablecoin Solutions

This move comes at a time when many mainstream companies are redefining their approaches to cryptocurrency. Instead of relying on more volatile assets like Bitcoin (BTC), many are turning to stablecoins as the preferred method for making blockchain-based payments.

For example, Stripe has introduced stablecoin payouts and accounts, promoting them as quicker and cheaper alternatives for global creators and platforms. Similarly, PayPal is integrating its PayPal USD (PYUSD) token into its ecosystem, which now includes use cases like payouts for YouTube creators in the U.S. Additionally, JPMorgan’s JPM Coin continues to grow in its role as an institutional settlement method.

Implications for Bitcoin's Position

The rise of onchain dollars is challenging previously established narratives surrounding Bitcoin. Recently, ARK Invest’s CEO, Cathie Wood, revised her Bitcoin price target for 2030 from $1.5 million to $1.2 million, citing the increasing functions of stablecoins in payments and emerging markets as a key factor.

Although this adjustment does not undermine Wood's long-term view of Bitcoin as “digital gold,” it recognizes that, for many users seeking a way to spend or escape ineffective local banking systems, stablecoins often take precedence over Bitcoin as a more stable currency.

Visa's development of its stablecoin advisory service emphasizes this transition. Recognized payment processors are now advising banks and fintechs on stablecoin strategies, indicating a strong belief that stablecoins could dominate transactional use cases for money. Meanwhile, Bitcoin is finding its footing as a recognized macro asset and a long-term store of value.