Visa and Aquanow Reshape Global Payment Rails with Stablecoin Blockchain Integration

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) has partnered with Aquanow, a digital assets platform, to expand stablecoin settlement capabilities across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA). The collaboration integrates Aquanow's blockchain infrastructure with Visa's global payment network, enabling financial institutions in the region to settle transactions using approved stablecoins like USDC. By leveraging blockchain-based settlement, the partnership aims to reduce operational costs, accelerate settlement cycles to 365 days a year, and eliminate intermediaries that traditionally slow cross-border transactions.

The initiative builds on Visa's 2023 pilot program, which allowed clients to settle obligations in USDC. That program has since scaled to a $2.5 billion annualized run rate in stablecoin volume. Godfrey Sullivan, Head of Product and Solutions for CEMEA at Visa, emphasized that the partnership represents a "key step in modernizing the back-end rails of payments" and preparing institutions for the "future of money movement". Aquanow CEO Phil Sham added that the collaboration unlocks new opportunities for institutions to leverage stablecoin technology, combining Visa's trusted global network with blockchain's speed and transparency.

Aquanow, which processes billions of dollars in monthly crypto transactions, brings institutional-grade digital asset expertise to the partnership. The company's infrastructure supports high-volume settlements, aligning with Visa's goal to digitize the backend of money movement. This expansion addresses growing demand for faster, cost-effective cross-border solutions, particularly in regions where traditional systems face limitations like weekend closures and intermediary fees.

Despite progress, regulatory clarity remains a hurdle. Visa CEO Ryan McInerney noted in July that stablecoin technology requires clearer frameworks to reach its full potential. The company, however, continues to advance its crypto infrastructure, including a seven-day-a-week settlement system and the Visa Tokenized Asset Platform for bank partnerships.

The partnership underscores stablecoins' growing role in mainstream finance. As institutions seek efficiency, Visa's integration of digital assets positions it to reshape global payment rails, reducing reliance on legacy systems while catering to evolving market demands.