Visa Builds New International Settlement Layer Using Stablecoins for Banks in Europe, Middle East and Africa

Visa Expands Stablecoin Settlement Across CEMEA Through Partnership With Aquanow

Visa is bringing blockchain settlement into the heart of international finance, moving beyond consumer-facing services to tackle the complex back-end of cross-border payments.

In a strategic collaboration with digital asset infrastructure provider Aquanow, Visa is enabling banks and financial institutions across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) to settle transactions using approved stablecoins, including USDC.

Why Visa Targets Back-End Payments

The initiative focuses on the infrastructure that governs the speed and cost of international transfers, rather than the retail side of payments.

By leveraging blockchain-based stablecoin settlements, Visa aims to eliminate delays caused by traditional banking hours, intermediary fees, and multi-step reconciliation processes.

Godfrey Sullivan, Head of Product and Solutions for CEMEA at Visa, said,

“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.”

The approach allows institutions to move money internationally at any hour, including weekends and holidays, reduce settlement costs associated with foreign exchange and intermediaries, and finalise transfers directly on blockchain rails rather than relying solely on legacy networks.

Visa presents the shift as an upgrade to existing systems, rather than a replacement, building a parallel settlement structure capable of handling speed and scale the old rails cannot.

Stablecoins Are Entering Mainstream Settlement

Stablecoins are increasingly being used beyond the crypto niche as practical tools for institutional liquidity.

Deutsche Börse recently announced plans to integrate its euro-pegged stablecoin EURAU across custody and settlement services, complementing earlier collaborations with Circle’s EURC and Société Générale-Forge’s EURCV.

These moves indicate that stablecoins could gain a foothold in mainstream financial systems faster than central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Regulators are taking notice.

The Basel Committee is reviewing whether the current 1,250% risk weighting for crypto exposures remains relevant as stablecoins are increasingly applied in traditional settlement.

The Bank of England expects the UK to align with the U.S. on stablecoin regulation, marking a shift in the regulatory landscape this year.

Visa Builds on USDC Pilot Success

Visa’s work with stablecoins is not new.

In 2023, it piloted USDC settlement with select clients, achieving an annualised transaction volume exceeding $2.5 billion.

The current expansion with Aquanow aims to bring that capability to a wider network of issuers and acquirers across the CEMEA region.

Phil Sham, CEO of 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.”

How This Changes Cross-Border Payments

Banks and fintechs have been seeking faster settlement cycles, particularly in high-volume corridors where traditional banking chains create bottlenecks.

By adopting stablecoin settlement, financial institutions can bypass slow correspondent networks and streamline operational workflows, improving liquidity and efficiency.

Visa’s expansion reflects a broader trend where blockchain-based settlement is no longer confined to cryptocurrency markets but is being used to enhance mainstream payment infrastructure.

While regulatory clarity remains a work in progress, the initiative signals growing confidence in stablecoins as viable tools for international finance.

Institutional Adoption Remains Key

The integration of Aquanow’s infrastructure with Visa’s global network allows banks, neobanks, brokerages, and payment companies to participate in faster, more transparent settlement.

With Visa reporting strong performance in Q2 2025—$9.6 billion in net revenue, up 9% year-over-year—the company continues to invest in parallel systems that prepare financial institutions for 24/7, blockchain-enabled money movement, while maintaining traditional rails for those who rely on them.