Visa and Aquanow Expand Stablecoin Settlement to CEMA

Sean Williams
Visa

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  • Visa partnered with Aquanow to expand USDC stablecoin settlement into Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA).
  • The expansion aims to provide 24/7, lower-cost, and faster cross-border payments, building on a $2.5 billion annualized run rate.
  • This move reflects Visa’s deep commitment to blockchain technology amid a surging $300 billion global stablecoin market.

The landscape of global finance shifted as payment giant Visa Inc. officially unveiled a landmark partnership with crypto fintech firm Aquanow. This strategic alliance is set to dramatically enhance cross-border payment efficiency by extending stablecoin settlement options across the critical Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) regions. The move responds directly to the escalating demand for modern, reliable payment infrastructure capable of handling high-volume international flows.

This integration links Visa’s established, powerful payment network directly to Aquanow’s robust digital asset infrastructure, offering participating financial institutions a way to leverage major stablecoins, such as USDC, for faster, lower-cost transaction processing.

Modernizing Cross-Border Payment Rails

The core benefit of this CEMEA rollout is the promise of perpetual, 24/7 settlements—a stark contrast to the delays inherent in traditional banking systems. Visa and Aquanow are effectively creating an always-on global settlement layer. The combined technology aims to drastically cut operational costs for issuers and acquirers dealing with international money movement.

Phil Sham, CEO of Aquanow, emphasized the transformative nature of the partnership, noting it brings “internet-speed transparency” to institutional flows using stablecoin technology. This innovation is crucial for a region characterized by significant cross-border transaction volume.

Building on a Multi-Billion Dollar Track Record

This expansion is the culmination of years of dedicated effort and successful pilot programs by Visa. Having announced its initial stablecoin efforts in late 2020, Visa piloted USDC settlements throughout 2023. This foundational work has already yielded remarkable results, with the firm now operating at an impressive $2.5 billion annualized monthly run rate for stablecoin-related activity. Godfrey Sullivan, Visa’s CEMEA product head, framed the announcement as a vital step in updating the payment rails across the diverse and rapidly growing region, stating the goal is to fully utilize the benefits of modern digital assets.

Also Read: Is Blockchain Becoming the Next Visa? Aztec Labs CEO Warns of a ‘Hollow Future’

The $300 Billion Stablecoin Revolution

Visa’s partnership with Aquanow comes amid a broader organizational push and a surging stablecoin market. Visa significantly ramped up its digital asset initiatives in 2025, including prefund pilots via Visa Direct for business payments and the introduction of fiat-to-stablecoin payouts for gig workers and creators. Furthermore, its support now extends beyond USDC to include USDG, PYUSD, EURC, Stellar (XLM), and Avalanche (AVAX).

The overall stablecoin market cap has topped $300 billion in 2025, fueled by regulatory clarity like the GENIUS Act and MiCA, demonstrating their institutional maturity. As stablecoin transaction volume reportedly reached $6 trillion in Q1 2025—rivaling traditional transaction volumes—this commitment ensures Visa remains at the forefront of the global financial evolution. The new CEMA expansion provides traditional financial firms with an essential, low-friction pathway into this digital future.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.

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