Visa Direct and Mastercard Move aren’t new innovations—but they are becoming key players in the institutional payment space. As banks, EMIs, and fintech platforms shift away from traditional, high-friction SWIFT corridors, modernized card-network-powered payment rails are stepping into a more prominent role.
What began as consumer-focused remittance tools are now evolving into regulated, programmable infrastructure for B2B payments—capable of supporting treasury, settlements, and cross-border disbursements with efficiency and transparency.
Here’s how Visa Direct and Mastercard Move Commercial Payments compare when it comes to serving the B2B needs of modern financial institutions.
Visa Direct: Embedded Speed and Global Scale
Visa Direct brings together a range of Visa-owned infrastructure assets under a single umbrella, including Currencycloud, YellowPepper, and Visa B2B Connect. The platform enables clients to push funds to over 190 countries and 160 currencies, with many corridors settling in near real time.
Key Highlights:
- Global Coverage with real-time capability across markets
- Single API Access through Visa Direct Connect for simplified integration
- KYB, alias management, and account validation built in
- Funds available in under one minute for eligible U.S. bank accounts
- Ideal for platforms, fintechs, and PSPs needing a global disbursement engine
Mastercard Move: Built for Institutional Integration
Mastercard Move Commercial Payments, launched in late 2024, is tailored to financial institutions that prioritize regulatory alignment and treasury-grade transparency. It’s deeply embedded in existing SWIFT infrastructure and optimizes for continuity, not disruption.
Key Highlights:
- 24/7/365 access to cross-border corridors
- Full SWIFT compatibility, reducing implementation overhead
- End-to-end FX visibility with transparent pricing
- Multilateral netting and risk management tools baked in
- Designed for banks, regulated payment firms, and corporate FX operators
| Feature | Visa Direct | Mastercard Move |
| Network Reach | 190+ countries, 160 currencies | Global, bank-led corridors |
| Settlement Speed | Real-time, sub-minute (in U.S.) | Near real-time, 24/7 |
| Integration Path | Unified API (Visa Direct Connect) | SWIFT-compatible infrastructure |
| Security & Controls | KYB, alias directory, account verification | Risk mitigation, netting, fraud analytics |
| Best Fit | Fintechs, PSPs, payout platforms | Banks, EMIs, cross-border treasury functions |
| Recent Developments | Full stack integration of B2B Connect, Currencycloud | New corridor coverage for institutional clients |
Banking Rails Are Modernizing—But New Rails Are Emerging Too
Visa Direct and Mastercard Move are solving very real infrastructure problems for financial institutions. They offer familiar compliance, faster settlement, and stronger data visibility—key components for regulated B2B flows.
But they’re not the only rails gaining traction.
Circle’s new stablecoin-based payments network is entering the conversation, offering financial institutions and platforms access to stablecoin rails like USDC and EURC—delivered over public blockchains with full auditability and 24/7 liquidity.
Where Visa and Mastercard bring trust and reach, Circle brings programmability, transparency, and composability—making it a powerful complement to traditional rails or an alternative for digital-native providers looking to bypass SWIFT and card schemes entirely.
Final Thoughts from Obtained.com
Whether you're operating a multi-entity financial institution, a regulated PSP, or a high-volume treasury desk, infrastructure choice is no longer just technical—it’s strategic.
At Obtained.com, we help platforms and institutions:
- Connect to Visa Direct, Mastercard Move, and Circle’s payment infrastructure
- Build orchestrated payment stacks across card, banking, and crypto rails
- Navigate regulatory compliance, FX exposure, and multi-jurisdictional risk
Ready to expand your reach and modernize your infrastructure?
Book a session with our team
