Circle Internet Group (NYSE:CRCL) shares jumped 8.4% following Visa Inc (NYSE:V, XETRA:3V64)’s announcement that US banks can now settle transactions using the stablecoin USDC, a signal of broader institutional adoption of blockchain-based payment solutions.
Visa’s expansion brings stablecoin settlement to the US for the first time, initially allowing banking partners Cross River Bank and Lead Bank to settle using USDC on the Solana blockchain. The payments giant plans a wider rollout throughout 2026.
According to the company, USDC settlement offers several operational advantages, including seven-day availability, faster funds movement over blockchain rails, and enhanced liquidity management for banks and fintechs.
The system is designed to integrate with traditional payment networks, providing interoperability between conventional card rails and blockchain infrastructure.
“Bringing USDC settlement to the US with Visa is a milestone for internet-native money moving at the speed of software,” Circle’s chief product and technology officer Nikhil Chandhok said in a statement.
“It helps card-issuing financial institutions modernize treasury and unlock new services while retaining the transparency and trust that USDC is known for.”
Visa will also leverage Circle’s Arc blockchain, currently in public testnet, to support USDC settlement. Arc’s design is intended to deliver the performance and scalability needed to handle Visa’s global transaction volume, with Visa planning to operate a validator node once the network goes live.
Shares of Visa were edged lower following the announcement, down 0.7% at about $344.