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Circle stock has surged after Visa announced that US banks and fintechs can settle transactions using Circle’s USDC stablecoin. The move expands Visa’s blockchain settlement framework and deepens its partnership with Circle.
Visa said US issuer and acquirer partners can now settle directly with Visa in USDC. The stablecoin is fully reserved and dollar-denominated. The system runs on public blockchains without changing cardholder spending behavior.
The announcement followed strong momentum in Visa’s stablecoin pilot. The company reported a $3.5 billion annualized settlement run rate by Nov. 30, and Circle’s growing regulatory progress also supported investor sentiment.
Visa confirmed that its US network is now open to stablecoin settlement. Banks can use Circle’s USDC to settle obligations on the blockchain. The rollout aims to enable faster settlement cycles for issuers.
Initial participants include Cross River Bank and Lead Bank. Both institutions have already begun settling Visa transactions in USDC. The settlements currently operate on the Solana blockchain.
Visa said issuers can settle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Payments clear faster while the consumer card experience remains unchanged. This structure allows treasury teams to manage liquidity without altering customer behavior.
Visa is also serving as a lead design partner for Circle’s new Arc blockchain. The company plans to support Arc-based USDC settlement once the network launches. Visa also intends to operate a validator node.
Circle’s chief technology officer, Nikhil Chandhok, described the rollout as a milestone for internet-native money. He said the system allows value to move at software speed within regulated frameworks.
Visa has tested USDC settlement since 2021. In 2023, it became one of the first global payment networks to clear transactions in a stablecoin. Since then, the pilot expanded across multiple blockchains and stablecoins.
Circle gained additional momentum from US regulators. On December 12, 2025, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency granted conditional approval for Circle to form First National Digital Currency Bank. Once fully authorized, the bank would oversee management of USDC reserves for Circle’s US issuance. The approval supports Circle’s compliance-driven strategy for stablecoin operations.
Circle also aligns with the GENIUS Act requirements enacted in July 2025. The regulatory clarity strengthens confidence among banks exploring stablecoin settlement infrastructure.
Visa said partners prepared for this expansion well in advance. Chief Growth Officer Rubail Birwadker stated that USDC settlement improves treasury efficiency for issuers. He said the system delivers a bank-ready capability.
Visa added that blockchain settlement improves operational resilience. Issuers gain continuous availability across weekends and holidays. At the same time, consumers see no difference at checkout.
As Visa prepares to expand USDC clearing across the US through 2026, the integration signals a broader shift in payment infrastructure. Could stablecoins soon become a standard settlement layer for global card networks?
Also Read: Circle Tests USDCx on Aleo With Privacy and Compliance
Visa opened its US network to USDC settlement, allowing banks to clear payments faster using Circle’s stablecoin. Early adoption by partner banks and growing regulatory support strengthened Circle’s position. The move signals the expansion of stablecoin use in mainstream payments as Visa scales the model through 2026.
