TLDR:
- Mastercard and Circle expand USDC settlement for merchants and acquirers across EEMEA regions.
- Arab Financial Services and Eazy Financial Services become the first to use USDC for settlements.
- Mastercard supports multiple regulated stablecoins, including USDG, FIUSD, PYUSD, and USDC globally.
- Stablecoin payments aim to increase liquidity, reduce settlement friction, and streamline digital trade.
Mastercard and Circle have deepened their partnership to bring stablecoin settlement to the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.
Merchants and acquirers can now leverage USDC and EURC for digital payments. This marks the first time acquiring institutions in EEMEA can settle transactions using stablecoins.
Arab Financial Services and Eazy Financial Services will lead the initial adoption. The move aims to simplify payments and integrate crypto assets with established financial infrastructure.
Mastercard and Circle Strengthen Stablecoin Integration for Merchant Payments
The partnership builds on previous collaborations, including crypto card solutions used by Bybit and S1LKPAY. Mastercard’s network allows these stablecoins to connect seamlessly with existing merchant operations.
Circle’s fully reserved USDC and EURC offer predictable, regulated value for settlements. The integration could transform operational efficiency for acquiring institutions in the region.
Dimitrios Dosis, Mastercard’s president for EEMEA, said the goal is to integrate stablecoins into mainstream financial systems. He emphasized the need for secure infrastructure and regulatory alignment. The partnership reflects a shift from fiat-only settlements toward tokenized and programmable money. Mastercard aims to leverage its global reach to scale stablecoin adoption safely.
Kash Razzaghi, Circle’s Chief Business Officer, described the expansion as a step toward “borderless, real-time commerce.”
The collaboration seeks to increase global access to USDC payments. It also reinforces stablecoins as a viable option for everyday financial transactions. Together, Mastercard and Circle plan to support the growth of stablecoins across multiple sectors.
USDC Settlement for Merchants and Acquirers in EEMEA
Arab Financial Services’ CEO Samer Soliman explained that USDC settlements provide clients with enhanced liquidity and operational efficiency. The solution reduces friction in high-volume transactions and supports market competitiveness.
Soliman highlighted that Mastercard and Circle’s infrastructure ensures compliance and security. Clients can now access a future-ready settlement framework aligned with emerging digital asset standards.
Nayef Al Alawi, CEO of Eazy Financial Services, stated the partnership supports faster and more secure payment flows. The capability sets a benchmark for digital settlement in the region.
Merchants can receive payments in stablecoins while maintaining regulatory compliance. The integration reflects ongoing efforts to merge blockchain innovation with traditional commerce.
Mastercard continues to broaden its stablecoin portfolio, supporting USDG, FIUSD, PYUSD, and other regulated tokens. This strategy extends to remittances, B2B transactions, and payouts for gig workers.
Platforms like Mastercard Move and the Multi-Token Network (MTN) benefit from the new framework. Security and compliance remain central through Mastercard’s Crypto Credential and Crypto Secure programs.
As stablecoins scale in EEMEA, Mastercard emphasizes practical use cases. The approach focuses on liquidity, regulatory alignment, and operational efficiency. By combining Circle’s USDC and Mastercard’s infrastructure, merchants gain a reliable path for digital settlements. The expansion reflects a growing trend of connecting crypto payments to mainstream commerce.
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Source: https://blockonomi.com/usdc-payments-go-live-for-eemea-merchants-through-mastercard-partnership/