Visa Launches Blockchain-Based Lending for Small Business Working Capital
Visa announced a new onchain lending initiative on September 8, 2026, using its VisaNet settlement data with blockchain to provide stablecoin-linked financing. The program aims to give small businesses easier access to capital by bypassing traditional underwriting, with over $694 billion in stablecoin loans since 2020. A pilot with Credit Coop uses smart contracts to assess credit performance.
The initiative draws on VisaNet's real-time transaction data, which records merchant settlement flows that can serve as collateral for lenders. Credit Coop's pilot program has processed thousands of borrowing and repayment events since 2023, creating an auditable trail that traditional financing rarely offers. Visa's Onchain Analytics Dashboard tracks the broader stablecoin lending market, which has grown substantially since 2020.
The program targets small and medium enterprises that often struggle with conventional underwriting requirements, such as lengthy operating histories. By using smart contracts to automate repayment from settlement flows, the model reduces reliance on manual credit assessments. Visa's partnership structure allows participating lenders to extend capital incrementally as programs demonstrate performance, potentially reshaping how payment companies leverage their existing infrastructure.
This move could meaningfully alter how small businesses access working capital, particularly those historically underserved by traditional lenders. If successful, it may reduce reliance on personal guarantees or lengthy credit reviews, potentially accelerating growth for qualifying enterprises. However, adoption depends on businesses' comfort with blockchain protocols and the regulatory environment for stablecoins. The program could also pressure traditional lenders to modernize their offerings, though scalability and compliance questions remain unresolved.