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Visa Partnership with Aquanow is transforming how money moves across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The global payments giant has teamed up with Aquanow to enable settlement using stablecoins. These are digital currencies backed by real world assets such as the US dollar. The partnership could change payments for millions of people across emerging markets almost overnight.
The collaboration gives Visa’s network of banks, payment providers and fintechs access to stablecoin based settlement. Transactions using approved stablecoins like USDC can now bypass older systems, cut costs, reduce delays and enable payments any day of the week.
For a region where cross border money transfers remain slow, expensive and tied to rigid banking hours, this is a major shift. Imagine sending money from Dubai to Lagos or Warsaw to Nairobi and having it settle in minutes regardless of weekend or time zone. For small businesses, freelancers, migrant workers and anyone relying on remittances, the experience becomes faster, smoother and more affordable.
Visa first tested stablecoin settlement in 2023. It started small with USDC experiments for select clients. It has since invested in blockchain infrastructure and transaction readiness. With this new partnership, Visa expects stablecoin settlement volume to reach about 2.5 billion dollars annually. That is a clear sign that mainstream finance is now embracing digital currency for real utility.
Stablecoins offer a level of stability that is valuable in regions where local currencies may fluctuate and where inflation or exchange risk affects daily life. They also provide a digital bridge for people who are excluded from traditional banking due to geography, income, or documentation barriers.
This development also challenges traditional banking infrastructure that has long depended on correspondent banks and SWIFT rails. Those systems have been costly and slow. With blockchain based settlement, funds can move almost instantly with fewer institutions involved.
Over time, this shift can improve financial inclusion and help small businesses trade globally with less friction. Digital wallet startups and fintechs may also build services on top of stablecoin rails, unlocking new innovation in payment solutions.
There are still important questions around regulation, consumer protection, transparency and compliance. Stablecoin issuers must maintain trustworthy backing and strong risk management. Governments will expect clarity in how these transactions are taxed and monitored. Even so, Visa’s move signals that stablecoins are becoming a foundational part of financial infrastructure.
This is a turning point. When a global payments leader brings stablecoin capabilities to Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe, it suggests digital currency is no longer experimental. It is becoming part of everyday payments.
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