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TL;DR: visa is partnering with Aquanow to enable stablecoin settlement across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA). This move aims to reduce costs, speed up transactions, and modernize payment infrastructure in the region.
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced a partnership with Aquanow, a provider of global digital asset infrastructure. This collaboration will integrate Visa’s technology with Aquanow’s platform to facilitate stablecoin settlement for transactions across the CEMEA region. the announcement, made on October 26, 2023, builds upon Visa’s previously stated commitment to expanding its support for stablecoins and blockchain technologies.
Traditionally, cross-border payments and even domestic settlements can be slow and expensive, often involving multiple intermediaries and complex processes. Stablecoins – cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value relative to a conventional asset like the US dollar – offer a potential solution. By using stablecoins for settlement, Visa aims to:
* reduce Costs: Eliminate or minimize fees associated with traditional intermediaries.
* Increase speed: Settle transactions much faster than traditional methods, possibly near-instantaneously.
* Improve Transparency: Leverage the inherent transparency of blockchain technology for clearer transaction records.
* Modernize Infrastructure: Move away from legacy systems and embrace a more efficient, digital-first approach to payments.
This is particularly significant for the CEMEA region, which often faces higher transaction costs and slower settlement times due to complex banking infrastructure and cross-border challenges.
This partnership impacts a wide range of stakeholders:
* Visa Issuers & Acquirers: They will gain the ability to offer their clients (merchants and consumers) faster and cheaper settlement options.
* Merchants: Especially those engaged in cross-border trade, will benefit from reduced costs and quicker access to funds.
* consumers: May experience lower fees and faster transaction times when making purchases.
* Financial Institutions: The partnership encourages broader adoption of digital assets and potentially opens up new revenue streams.
* Aquanow: This partnership considerably expands Aquanow’s reach and validates its technology in the eyes of a major industry player.
* The CEMEA Region: The initiative has the potential to boost economic activity by streamlining payments and fostering financial inclusion.
* July 2023: Visa announces plans to support more stablecoins and blockchains. (https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/visa-bolsters-stablecoin-support-se)
* October 26, 2023: Visa and Aquanow announce their partnership for stablecoin settlement in the CEMEA region.
* Near Future: pilot programs are expected to launch with select Visa issuers and acquirers.
* Ongoing: Gradual rollout of the service across the CEMEA region.
* What is a stablecoin? A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value, typically
