Visa Partners With Aquanow to Expand Stablecoin Settlement Across the CEMEA Region

Core Insights - Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement capabilities in the CEMEA region through a partnership with Aquanow, a digital assets platform [1][2] - The integration aims to enable issuers and acquirers to settle transactions using approved stablecoins like USDC, reducing operational costs and accelerating settlement cycles [2][5] - The demand for efficient cross-border payments is driving the adoption of stablecoins to address issues like weekend limitations and unpredictable clearing times [3] Visa's Stablecoin Infrastructure - Visa's engagement with stablecoin technology began in 2023 with a pilot initiative allowing clients to settle in USDC, which has since scaled to a monthly volume exceeding a $2.5 billion annualized run rate [4][7] - The partnership with Aquanow is seen as a significant step in modernizing payment systems and reducing reliance on traditional intermediaries [5][6] Aquanow's Role - Aquanow provides institutional-grade digital asset services and will be a key infrastructure partner for Visa, processing billions in monthly crypto transactions [6][7] - The collaboration aims to unlock new opportunities for institutions in the digital economy by leveraging stablecoin technology for faster and more transparent settlements [6][7]