Visa launches stablecoin platform supporting Open USD

Visa, the global payments giant, launched a new enterprise platform on Thursday, July 16, 2026, designed to help financial institutions, fintechs, and crypto companies issue and manage stablecoins. The Visa Stablecoin Platform (VSP) aims to simplify the operational complexities of using digital dollars by providing a single, managed environment for minting, storing, transferring, and redeeming these assets.

The platform launched with initial support for Open USD (OUSD), a stablecoin recently introduced by the consortium Open Standard. VSP combines on-chain wallet infrastructure, connectivity for creating and redeeming tokens, and integration with Visa's existing global payment network. According to Visa, this allows clients to incorporate stablecoin capabilities into treasury management, settlement, and payment products without needing to replace their current systems.

Jack Forestell, Visa's chief product and strategy officer, stated that while stablecoins represent a new layer of programmable money, the operational reality poses a significant hurdle for most institutions. He said the new platform is intended to give clients a single place to manage stablecoin operations with...