Visa Direct Launches USDC Prefunding in Production With Inyo Global

WHY IT MATTERS

When you send money internationally, the companies involved usually have to park cash in bank accounts around the world ahead of time so the payment can go through smoothly. Think of it like a vending machine that needs to be stocked with change before it can give you your snack. This process, called prefunding, is expensive and slow because it relies on the traditional banking system. Visa is now using USDC — a type of stablecoin, which is a cryptocurrency designed to always be worth one US dollar — to handle some of this prefunding. Because stablecoins move on blockchain networks, they can be transferred much faster than traditional bank wires. This matters because one of the world's largest payment companies is putting blockchain-based money movement into real, everyday use rather than just testing it. It is an example of how traditional finance companies are beginning to integrate crypto technology into their existing infrastructure.