Visa and AquaNow Partner for Stablecoin Settlement Efficiency

Visa Inc. has partnered with Aquanow to speed up transaction settlements using stablecoins in the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) region.

This partnership accelerates digital finance transformation, reducing costs and increasing efficiency, with Visa’s USDC settlements hitting a $2.5 billion annualized run rate.

Visa-AquaNow Collaboration Targets $2.5 Billion USDC Flow Annually

Visa’s collaboration with AquaNow allows for faster settlements using USDC stablecoins. This venture focuses on improving the operational efficiency of cross-border payments within the CEMEA region, leveraging AquaNow’s liquidity solutions. Visa’s Head of Product and Solutions for CEMEA, Godfrey Sullivan, underlined the potential reduction in costs and settlement friction.

With this initiative, Visa’s financial partners can anticipate accelerated settlement processes. The partnership aligns with Visa’s strategy to modernize payment infrastructures by incorporating digital assets into traditional systems. As Godfrey Sullivan stated, “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. Our partnership with Aquanow is another key step in modernizing the back-end rails of payments, reducing reliance on traditional systems with multiple intermediaries, and preparing institutions for the future of money movement.”

Industry reactions have been positive, highlighting the partnership’s implications for stablecoin adoption. Phil Sham, CEO of AquaNow, emphasized the complementary synergy between Visa’s global payment framework and AquaNow’s infrastructure.

Stablecoin Integration Expected to Transform Payment Dynamics

Did you know? Visa’s engagement with stablecoin settlements, starting in 2023, set a precedent as one of the first major payment networks to embrace digital assets for transaction improvements.

According to CoinMarketCap, USDC maintains stability with a current price of $1.00 and a market cap of $75.98 billion. The coin represents 2.44% of market dominance with trading volume noted at $14.10 billion, showing slight fluctuations over recent months without major price changes.

Coincu analysts highlight that increasing stablecoin integration could spark widespread changes in payment systems. Potential regulatory adjustments are expected to emerge as institutions adopt such digital currencies, fostering innovation in financial technologies and frameworks.