Visa Unveils New Feature for Instant Crypto-to-Cash Transfers via Visa Direct
With the increasing adoption of digital assets and the rapid growth of stablecoins, major payment companies are seeking to simplify the conversion of these assets into fiat currency in a fast and secure manner. In the latest step along this path, Visa announced a partnership with Mercurio, a digital payments platform, to enable users to convert their digital assets into fiat currency and transfer the proceeds directly to their Visa cards through Visa Direct, the company’s instant payment network.
Under the agreement, eligible Mercurio users will be able to convert cryptocurrencies into cash and receive the funds on their Visa credit or debit cards, typically within minutes. According to the two companies, the service is designed to reduce costs and accelerate settlement compared to traditional payment methods, making digital assets more practical for everyday use by both consumers and businesses.
Visa Direct is already widely used for real-time money transfers between brokerage accounts, digital banking platforms, and crypto-related services. By extending this infrastructure to Mercurio users, the partnership improves access to local currencies and facilitates faster cross-border payments, reflecting a broader global trend toward integrating traditional financial markets with digital payment infrastructure.
Strengthening the Digital Payments Infrastructure
Beyond enabling faster conversions, the partnership forms part of a broader strategy by Visa and Mercurio to enhance the real-world usability of digital assets. As stablecoin adoption continues to expand and Visa’s annual settlement volumes reach approximately $3.5 billion, both companies are increasingly focused on solutions that help customers unlock the full potential of stablecoins within existing financial systems.
This move is not Visa’s first in the digital asset space. Last December, the company launched a dedicated stablecoin advisory division aimed at providing strategic guidance to businesses seeking to integrate stablecoins into their operations. Previously, Visa also partnered with AcuAnau to accelerate stablecoin settlements and address structural limitations within traditional payment networks.
Digital Transformation in Payments: Between Speed and Security
The integration between Visa and Mercurio signals a new phase in the digital transformation of payments. It enables users to quickly convert digital assets into cash while relying on a globally recognized infrastructure that prioritizes transparency, reliability, and security. As a result, digital payments are increasingly crossing the boundaries of conventional markets and becoming embedded in everyday financial activity.
Ultimately, the Visa–Mercurio partnership offers a practical model for bridging digital assets with traditional financial systems. By enabling instant access to cash and reducing friction in cross-border transfers, the collaboration highlights how digital payments are moving from experimentation toward mainstream adoption. As stablecoins continue to gain traction and financial institutions expand their digital infrastructure, instant digital payments are becoming less of a vision and more of an emerging reality for individuals and businesses alike.
