Visa Partners With Aquanow to Expand Stablecoin Settlements Across CEMEA Region

Core Insights - Visa Inc. has partnered with Aquanow to enhance stablecoin settlement options across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMA) [1] - The partnership connects Visa's payment network with Aquanow's digital asset infrastructure, allowing the use of stablecoins like USDC for transactions, which will reduce costs and expedite processes for financial institutions [1][2] - The initiative addresses the demand for continuous settlements without traditional banking delays, with Visa's USDC settlements reaching a $2.5 billion annualized monthly run rate [2][3] Group 1 - Visa's CEMEA rollout aims to modernize payment systems in the region, providing faster and more transparent transaction processes [3] - The stablecoin market has seen significant growth, with the supply surpassing $300 billion in 2025, driven by regulatory support and demand for quick transfers in emerging markets [5] - Stablecoins are becoming increasingly competitive with Visa's transaction volume, reaching $6 trillion in Q1 2025, aligning with Visa's ongoing investment in blockchain technologies [6] Group 2 - Visa has expanded its stablecoin initiatives in 2025, including a prefund pilot for cross-border business payments and support for various stablecoins [4] - The majority of the stablecoin market is dominated by USDT and USDC, holding 60% and 25% market share respectively [5] - The collaboration with Aquanow is expected to enhance institutional flows with stablecoin technology, providing internet-speed transparency [3]