Visa Partners Aquanow for CEMEA Stablecoin Settlements

Visa teamed up with Aquanow to bring USDC settlement services to banks in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Visa Aquanow Partnership Goes Live

Visa announced a partnership with digital-asset infrastructure provider Aquanow on November 28, 2025. The collaboration extends Visa’s USDC stablecoin settlement service to banks and financial institutions across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA).

“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.” — Godfrey Sullivan, Head of Product and Solutions for CEMEA at Visa

How the Service Works

Banks connect to Visa’s existing payment rails while Aquanow supplies on- and off-ramp liquidity for Circle-issued USDC. Settlements complete near-instantly and operate 365 days a year, removing weekend and holiday delays typical of correspondent banking. Visa’s global stablecoin settlement volume now runs at a $2.5 billion annualized rate.

Target Region and Benefits

CEMEA institutions gain direct access to blockchain settlement without building internal crypto capabilities. Merchants and banks in high-remittance corridors benefit from lower costs and reduced operational friction. The rollout builds on Visa’s earlier USDC pilots in Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

“Together, Visa and Aquanow are unlocking new ways for institutions to participate in the digital economy.” — Phil Sham, CEO of Aquanow

Strategic Outlook

The partnership continues Visa’s push to embed stablecoins into traditional payment flows. No country-specific launch dates were disclosed, but the service is available immediately to Visa’s banking partners in the CEMEA region.