Visa Launches Stablecoin Payout Pilot to Accelerate Payments for Creators and Gig Workers
Visa has announced a major leap forward in digital payments with the launch of its stablecoin payout pilot, aimed at transforming how creators, freelancers, and gig workers access their earnings worldwide. Through its Visa Direct platform, the initiative enables real-time payouts in USDC stablecoin, combining the speed of blockchain settlement with the reliability and compliance of Visa’s global network. This move bridges traditional finance with Web3 infrastructure, offering near-instant payments that bypass the delays and costs of conventional banking rails.
The pilot directly addresses a major challenge in the global gig economy — slow, high-fee cross-border transactions — by allowing workers to receive funds in minutes rather than days. Beyond faster payments, it expands access to the financial system for unbanked or underbanked users in emerging markets, helping democratize digital earnings. The initiative also underscores Visa’s strategic shift toward tokenized money and programmable payments, showing how stablecoins can power real-world financial use cases at scale. As stablecoin regulation matures and blockchain infrastructure strengthens, Visa’s pilot positions the company at the forefront of digital asset integration in mainstream finance. It’s a bold step toward a more inclusive, efficient, and borderless payment ecosystem.
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How Smart Cascading in Payment Orchestration Works - Explained by Tranzzo
When a user clicks “Pay,” dozens of systems spring into action — acquirers, gateways, fraud, and authentication tools. Payment orchestration conducts it all, with cascading as its secret rhythm.
👉 What is Cascading in Payment Orchestration?
At its core, cascading in payment orchestration refers to the sequential routing of transactions through multiple payment service providers (PSPs) or acquiring banks based on a predefined set of rules, without creating a new transaction. This means the user sees a single, seamless payment attempt, even if the system executes multiple retries behind the scenes.
This method stands in contrast to traditional payment systems that follow a fixed, predetermined path, lacking flexibility.
Here’s how it works in practice: a transaction is initially routed to a primary terminal. If that terminal responds with a decline due to a soft error, such as a limit being exceeded or a network timeout, the system automatically reroutes the same transaction to another terminal in the configuration. If the second terminal successfully processes the payment, the transaction completes — the user never notices the internal retry. If all configured fallback terminals fail, the transaction is finalized with a failure status.
Smart cascading also takes 3DS authentication into account. The orchestration service can use both non-3DS and 3DS terminals. If the rerouted attempt is processed through a 3DS terminal, the user will repeat the verification. Proper configuration ensures that fallback attempts avoid unnecessary repeated challenges and maintain the flow’s reliability.
Curated News
💳 Payments
Mastercard to Eliminate Passwords and Card Numbers in APAC by 2030
Mastercard plans to make online shopping password-free and number-free across Asia Pacific by 2030, introducing biometric and tokenized verification for enhanced security and convenience. The initiative supports Mastercard’s vision of frictionless, secure commerce.
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Blik Tests First Cross-Border P2P Transfer Between Portugal and Spain
Poland’s Blik has successfully conducted its first test of cross-border P2P payments between Portugal and Spain. The move marks a milestone in its European expansion, signaling a future of real-time, low-cost transfers across the continent.
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Visa’s Scan to Pay Goes Live Across Asia Pacific
Visa’s “Scan to Pay” QR payments system has launched across millions of merchants in Asia Pacific, bringing a new level of convenience and inclusivity to the digital payments ecosystem. It enables consumers to pay securely using any smartphone camera.
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TransferMate Gains U.S. Virgin Islands License
Global B2B payments firm TransferMate has secured a payments license in the U.S. Virgin Islands, further expanding its regulated footprint across North America and the Caribbean. The license strengthens its position as a leader in compliant cross-border payments.
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HitPay and Yuno Partner to Simplify Global Payment Access
Singapore-based HitPay has teamed up with Yuno to streamline local payment acceptance for global merchants. The collaboration enhances payment reach across emerging markets by integrating regional payment methods.
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One Inc Modernizes Insurance Payments with ClaimsPay®
One Inc’s ClaimsPay® is powering Mutual Benefit Group’s modernization of insurance payments, improving disbursement efficiency and customer satisfaction. The update reflects ongoing digitization within the insurance payments ecosystem.
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🏦 Banking
Constantinople Chooses Paymentology for Banking-as-a-Service Expansion
Constantinople has selected Paymentology to power its Banking-as-a-Service platform, enabling rapid and compliant financial product launches. The partnership supports scalable card issuing and embedded finance capabilities.
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Eurobank, EY & Microsoft Partner on Agentic AI in Banking
Eurobank and Fairfax Digital have teamed up with EY and Microsoft to launch a new initiative using agentic AI to boost productivity and customer experience in banking operations. The project explores AI co-pilot use cases for frontline staff.
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Creditinfo and NOTO Expand AML and Fraud Controls for Banks
Creditinfo has partnered with NOTO to deliver modern fraud prevention and AML tools to banks, fintechs, and lenders worldwide. The collaboration enhances real-time risk management and regulatory compliance.
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💰 Fintech
FNZ Secures Second Major Cash Injection
FNZ has obtained a fresh round of funding following strong institutional backing. The investment supports continued innovation in wealth infrastructure and long-term expansion across global markets.
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FNZ Raises $650 Million to Accelerate Growth
FNZ has raised US$650 million from existing institutional shareholders to support its long-term strategy in wealth management technology. The capital will fund R&D, partnerships, and new market entries.
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Ant International and Xiaomi Develop Iris Authentication Glasses
Ant International and Xiaomi have unveiled iris-scanning smart glasses that enable secure, hands-free payments and identity verification. The innovation could revolutionize biometric authentication for financial transactions.
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Paydown App Helps Borrowers Escape Credit Card Debt
New fintech app Paydown is designed to help users “break up with credit cards” by consolidating balances and automating repayments. The platform aims to promote financial wellness through personalized debt management.
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🪙 Crypto
Coinbase Cancels $2B BVNK Stablecoin Acquisition
Coinbase has abandoned its planned $2 billion acquisition of BVNK, a London-based stablecoin infrastructure firm. The move raises questions about Coinbase’s long-term stablecoin strategy amid evolving market and regulatory dynamics.
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JPMorgan Launches Dollar Deposit Token on Coinbase’s Base
JPMorgan is bringing a USD deposit token to Coinbase’s Base network, marking a major step in the convergence of traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure. The initiative reflects growing institutional interest in blockchain settlement.
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Calastone Integrates Tokenized Platform with Polygon
UK-based Calastone has integrated its tokenized fund platform with Polygon, enabling faster and cheaper fund transactions on-chain. The move signifies the asset management sector’s growing shift toward blockchain interoperability.
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Japan’s Startale Unveils Super-App on Sony’s Soneium Blockchain
Startale has launched a super-app for Sony’s Soneium blockchain, combining payments, NFTs, and digital identity services. The app is positioned to drive mass Web3 adoption in Japan through Sony’s ecosystem.
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Bitcoin Traders Brace for U.S. Inflation Data
Crypto traders are closely watching upcoming U.S. inflation numbers, expecting them to influence Bitcoin’s short-term price direction. The release could impact liquidity and investor sentiment across digital assets.
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📈 WealthTech
Middle East Investment Platform Launches Robo-Advisor
A new robo-advisor has debuted in the Middle East, offering automated investment guidance to regional users. The platform expands access to digital wealth management and reflects the sector’s growing maturity.
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🧠 Regulation & AI
UK and Singapore Regulators Collaborate on AI in Finance
Regulators from the UK and Singapore have announced plans to jointly advance AI innovation in financial services. The collaboration will establish frameworks for responsible AI deployment in banking and fintech.
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Banks and Insurers Deploy AI Agents for Fraud Detection
A Capgemini report reveals that banks and insurers are deploying AI agents to fight fraud, process applications, and improve efficiency. The trend also raises the need for new supervisory roles to oversee AI systems responsibly.
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🛡️ Other
Chubb Unveils AI-Powered Embedded Insurance Engine
Chubb has launched an AI-driven embedded insurance engine that allows partners to integrate customized coverage directly into digital platforms. The solution represents the next evolution in personalized, context-aware insurance.
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