Visa partners with Aquanow to bring stablecoin settlement

By Vriti Gothi

Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement capabilities across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) through a partnership with digital assets infrastructure provider Aquanow. The move advances Visa’s ongoing strategy to modernise settlement processes and reduce the friction typically associated with cross-border transactions.

The collaboration integrates Aquanow’s digital asset infrastructure with Visa’s technology stack, enabling issuers and acquirers in the region to settle transactions using approved stablecoins, including USDC. According to Visa, the capability is aimed at lowering operational costs, accelerating settlement timelines and reducing reliance on traditional correspondent banking rails.

Demand for faster, lower-cost settlement continues to rise among banks and FinTechs, particularly in emerging markets where cross-border payment inefficiencies remain acute. Visa has been exploring the use of stablecoins to streamline behind-the-scenes money movement since piloting USDC settlements in 2023. The company says transaction volumes have since grown to an annualised run rate exceeding  $2.5 billion.

“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 modernising 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, Aquanow, said, “The partnership opens new pathways for institutions to participate in the digital economy. 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,” he said.

The expansion underscores the growing role of regulated stablecoins in mainstream payment infrastructures, as major networks continue to explore digital asset-powered settlement to improve resilience and efficiency across global markets.