Visa and Karat Unveil New Pilot Program for Digital Creators
Visa Inc., the global leader in digital payments, reinforced its commitment to supporting digital content creators—now a powerful force in the global economy—through the launch of its new pilot program, the “Creator Agent” initiative, developed in collaboration with Karat Financial. The announcement was made during Web Summit 2025, underscoring Visa’s strategy to empower creators as small-business entrepreneurs.
Building on the company’s belief that digital creators operate as small business owners, Visa is leveraging its global network to help them pay and get paid seamlessly and securely, gain access to financing, and scale their ventures using the same tools and resources available to small businesses worldwide. This initiative is supported by the findings of Visa’s newly released “Monetized: Visa 2025 Creator Report.”
Visa’s “Monetized” Creator Economy Report
The Monetized report offers one of the most comprehensive analyses of the global creator economy, covering five regions: the United States, Brazil, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. Conducted in collaboration with Morning Consult, the study surveyed TikTok creators between May and August 2025, capturing insights from more than 1,000 participants. The report sheds light on the opportunities and challenges creators face as they build and sustain their businesses worldwide.
Insights from the UAE: A Fast-Growing Creator Economy
Commenting on the findings, Salima Gutieva, VP and General Manager of Visa UAE, said:
«Digital creators represent one of the most dynamic and fast-growing segments of small business owners globally—and here in the UAE. The Creator Economy report highlights the innovation and ambition of UAE creators and underscores Visa’s commitment to enabling their growth through access to funding, specialized financial tools, and resources that support their expansion locally and globally.»
Key findings from the UAE include:
The creator economy in the UAE is rapidly shifting toward entrepreneurial growth, with nearly one-third of creators launching new ventures based on their content success.
Many creators continue to rely on personal funds and credit—35% use secondary personal accounts to separate expenses—highlighting a need for bespoke financial tools tailored to creator workflows.
Although 42% of creators receive payments within a week, delays still disrupt their operations, pointing to a demand for faster, more reliable payment solutions.
UAE creators exhibit one of the highest levels of financial confidence globally (61%), yet many express strong interest in additional financial training—an opportunity for targeted educational programs.
Visa x Karat Pilot Program: Simplifying Creators’ Financial Operations
Responding to the challenges highlighted in the Monetized report, Visa announced a new pilot program in partnership with Karat Financial, a leading fintech company serving digital creators. The initiative aims to provide creators with access to specialized credit cards and banking services tailored to their unique business needs.
The pilot will launch first in the United States, where Visa and Karat will assess regional demand before expanding into additional global markets during fiscal year 2027.
Key tools offered in the program include:
Smarter Payments: Automated solutions that accelerate payment processing while allowing manual intervention when needed for accuracy and reliability.
Automated Reminders: Tools to manage outstanding invoices and late payments, helping creators maintain stable cash flow.
Trusted Databases: Centralized systems enabling secure storage and verification of buyer and vendor information, reducing fraud risks and saving time.
Karat brings years of experience supporting creator finances and was among the first to introduce credit cards issued based on creators’ revenue streams and social metrics.
Visa’s Ongoing Commitment to the Creator Economy
Visa recognizes digital creators as a vital force that fuels communities and drives global commerce. The company formally acknowledged creators as entrepreneurs and small-business owners during Web Summit 2024 and has since expanded its focus on developing financial tools tailored specifically to creators’ needs.
Together with the findings of the “Monetized: Visa 2025 Creator Report,” the launch of the Creator Agent pilot reinforces Visa’s long-term commitment to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs through advanced payment technology, educational resources, and flexible financial products designed for the evolving creator economy.