Visa Adds USDPT Stablecoin for Transactions on VisaNet

Visa has added the USDPT stablecoin, created for Western Union, to the assets for settlements in the VisaNet network. This was announced on November 12 by Anchorage Digital, whose bank issues the token. Visa and approved partners can use USDPT to settle payment obligations. Support for other stablecoins by Anchorage has not yet been announced.

How USDPT Will Be Used

Western Union launched USDPT on May 4, 2026. The token is issued by Anchorage Digital Bank on the Solana blockchain and, according to the companies, is backed by dollar reserves with the ability to exchange at a 1:1 rate. However, the new announcement does not specify which blockchain will be used for VisaNet settlements.

The parties expect to speed up the transfer of funds between organizations, including operations outside of banking hours. This could reduce the need for pre-funded accounts abroad, where companies reserve money for transfers. The expected savings amount is not disclosed, and no reduction in fees for Western Union customers has been reported.

Visa's Stablecoin Settlement Volume Grows

On October 27, Visa reported that the annual rate of stablecoin settlements exceeded $25 billion, increasing tenfold year-over-year. This figure is based on current activity and does not mean that $25 billion has already been processed in a year. It pertains to all Visa settlement operations with stablecoins, not just USDPT.

According to the company, more than 225 card programs linked to stablecoins were in operation, covering about 5 million cards in over 50 countries. This is a separate business direction, not equivalent to connecting a new settlement asset.

Western Union Card Operates Under a Different Program

In August, Western Union, in collaboration with Rain launched Stablecard – a USDPT wallet with an attached Visa card in 37 countries and territories. The product allows eligible customers to store tokens and make purchases. The new Visa agreement with Anchorage concerns settlements between payment network participants, not the launch of this card.