Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement capabilities across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) after striking a new partnership with Aquanow, a global digital assets platform specialising in liquidity and infrastructure services.
Under the collaboration, Aquanow’s digital asset infrastructure will be integrated with Visa’s technology stack, enabling issuers and acquirers on Visa’s network to settle transactions using approved stablecoins such as USDC. The move is designed to lower costs, reduce operational friction, and significantly speed up settlement times.
With financial institutions increasingly seeking faster and more cost-efficient cross-border payment options, Visa is turning to stablecoins to digitise the backend of money movement and support 365-day settlement. The company was among the first major payment networks to pilot stablecoin settlement in 2023, allowing clients to meet settlement obligations in USDC. Monthly volume has since surpassed a $2.5 billion annualised run rate.
“By harnessing the power of stablecoins and pairing them with our trusted global technology, we are enabling financial institutions in CEMEA to experience faster and simpler settlements,” said Godfrey Sullivan, Head of Product and Solutions for CEMEA at Visa. “Our partnership with Aquanow is another key step in modernizing the back-end rails of payments, reducing reliance on traditional systems with multiple intermediaries, and preparing institutions for the future of money movement.”
Phil Sham, CEO of Aquanow, added “Visa’s reliable global network has long moved money securely and efficiently. Together, Visa and Aquanow are unlocking new ways for institutions to participate in the digital economy, leveraging stablecoin technology to settle with the speed and transparency of the internet.”
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