Visa has extended its stablecoin settlement pilot into Canada in partnership with Wealthsimple, marking the first time Visa’s stablecoin settlement capability is available in the Canadian market. The pilot allows Wealthsimple to use USD Coin (USDC) to meet certain settlement obligations with Visa Canada, providing Canadian institutions with a faster, more flexible settlement option that integrates with existing payment rails.
The expansion is part of Visa’s global stablecoin strategy, which has recently surpassed a $7 billion annualized run rate in settlement volume. By bringing this capability to Canada, Visa is extending its proven infrastructure to a new jurisdiction, positioning Canadian banks and fintechs to benefit from a modern settlement mechanism that can reduce settlement times and improve liquidity management.
In its Q1 2026 earnings, Visa reported net revenue of $10.9 billion, up 15% year‑over‑year, and non‑GAAP earnings per share of $3.17, beating analyst estimates of $3.14. The revenue beat was driven by strong demand in core segments, while the EPS beat reflected disciplined cost control. However, the company missed consensus estimates for the total number of processed transactions, which fell short of expectations and contributed to a mixed market reaction.
The Agentic Ready program has also been expanded to Canadian issuers, with early partners including BMO, CIBC, RBC, Scotiabank, and TD. The program equips these issuers with the tools and frameworks needed to support AI‑driven, agent‑initiated payments, giving Canadian banks a head start in preparing for autonomous commerce and reinforcing Visa’s strategy of evolving into a payment hyperscaler.
Management emphasized the significance of these initiatives. "Visa was one of the first major payment networks in the world to settle transactions in stablecoin, and grew that capability into a proven, global pilot program now processing billions in settlement volume. Canada is a natural home for what comes next. By bringing stablecoin settlement to Canada with Wealthsimple, we are building the infrastructure that lets the best ideas in money movement become reality at scale. Canadian innovation deserves world‑class rails, and that is what we are here to provide," said Michiel Wielhouwer, President and Country Manager, Visa Canada. "Visa Agentic Ready gives Canadian issuers a meaningful head start in preparing for agent‑initiated commerce. The program provides a controlled environment to test and validate how agent‑initiated payments can operate responsibly within Canada, while building the confidence needed to move these experiences from concept to reality, on the secure payment rails people rely on every day," added Wielhouwer.
The stablecoin pilot and Agentic Ready expansion together reinforce Visa’s broader strategy of deepening its network effects and expanding its addressable market. By offering a stablecoin settlement option, Visa positions itself as a leader in bridging traditional finance with digital assets, while the AI‑enabled payment framework prepares the Canadian market for the next wave of autonomous commerce. These moves support Visa’s vision of becoming a payment hyperscaler, delivering scalable, technology‑driven solutions that can serve a growing global ecosystem.
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