Visa has partnered with blockchain infrastructure firm ZeroHash to add stablecoin prefunding and payout capabilities to Visa Direct, its real-time payment network for cross-border movement of funds. The partnership, announced August 5, enables Visa Direct users to settle transactions using stablecoins across multiple blockchains.
Visa Direct processes cross-border B2B and peer-to-peer transfers by connecting financial institutions directly to Visa's network. The integration of stablecoin rails adds a settlement path that bypasses traditional correspondent banking, which typically introduces delays and fees. ZeroHash operates infrastructure that connects digital asset platforms to traditional financial networks, allowing institutions to buy, sell, and hold stablecoins on supported blockchains.
The announcement does not specify which stablecoins or blockchains will be available initially through Visa Direct, though ZeroHash's platform supports dozens of both. The partnership targets cross-border payouts and prefunding workflows, where a sender locks stablecoins before a Visa transaction settles, reducing pre-funding float time and associated costs.
Visa Direct handles an estimated 2 billion monthly transactions across more than 190 countries and territories. The platform has grown as central banks and regulators moved to phase out legacy correspondent banking infrastructure. Adding stablecoin settlement addresses a friction point for institutions moving value between jurisdictions: traditional methods can take one to three days; blockchain-based settlement completes in minutes.
ZeroHash's role is to bridge the gap between Visa's payments infrastructure and the stablecoin ecosystem. The firm manages custody, compliance screening, and liquidity provision across blockchains. Neither Visa nor ZeroHash announced institutional adoption targets or timeline for full rollout.
Swift launched an interoperability service for blockchain transactions in 2023; Mastercard has piloted its own stablecoin settlement channels with select banks. Visa's move extends that pattern to its largest real-time payment rail.
ZeroHash has positioned itself as a bridge between traditional finance and crypto rails; the Visa partnership is its largest announced integration to date. Neither party disclosed terms or revenue sharing arrangements.
