Visa announced on Nov. 27 that it expanded its stablecoin settlement program across Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) through a new collaboration with Aquanow. The move allows regional issuers and acquirers to use approved stablecoins, including USDC, to complete settlement with fewer steps and lower costs.

“By harnessing the power of stablecoins and pairing them with our trusted global technology, we are enabling financial institutions in CEMEA to experience faster and simpler settlements,” stated Godfrey Sullivan, Visa’s head of product and solutions for the region. He added that the Aquanow integration advances Visa’s shift away from older settlement frameworks. Aquanow CEO Phil Sham noted, “Visa’s reliable global network has long moved money securely and efficiently,” emphasizing:

Together, Visa and Aquanow are unlocking new ways for institutions to participate in the digital economy, leveraging stablecoin technology to settle with the speed and transparency of the internet.

Read more: Visa Unveils Game-Changing Stablecoin Payout Pilot for Global Freelancers

Demand for quicker cross-border payments has increased as banks seek lower friction and 365-day settlement availability. Visa began testing stablecoin settlement in 2023, introducing USDC for client obligations and later surpassing a $2.5 billion annualized volume run rate.

Aquanow, active in digital asset liquidity and infrastructure, operates regulated services in Dubai and supports large monthly crypto flows. The expansion signals stronger institutional interest in blockchain-based settlement, while also highlighting that stablecoins carry risks tied to volatility and limited investor protections. Supporters argue that crypto settlement can reduce intermediaries and improve transparency compared with traditional rails.

• What regions are included in Visa’s latest stablecoin settlement expansion?
  The program now covers Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Which stablecoin is approved for settlement in the expanded program?
  USDC is among the approved stablecoins used for issuer and acquirer settlement.
• Why is Visa collaborating with Aquanow?
  Aquanow provides digital asset liquidity and infrastructure that supports faster, blockchain-based settlements.
• How much stablecoin volume had Visa reached before this expansion?
  Visa surpassed a $2.5 billion annualized volume run rate after introducing USDC settlement.

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