Visa is expanding its stablecoin settlement program across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa as demand for quicker international payments grows.
The company now uses digital dollars such as USDC to support faster settlement for banks, fintechs, and payment partners operating in regions with slow traditional rails.
Visa also launched a deeper integration with Aquanow on November 27, 2025, to support continuous stablecoin settlement for institutions processing cross-border flows.
Stablecoin Settlement Expands Across New Corridors
The company began stablecoin testing in 2023 and continued refining its processes as volumes increased. Monthly flows now exceed a $2.5 billion annualized run rate, showing strong institutional adoption.
Aquanow operates regulated digital asset services in Dubai and processes large monthly crypto flows. Its participation gives Visa additional reach in regions where demand for cheaper cross-border services continues to rise.
Visa's head of product for the region stated that stablecoin tools help institutions experience faster and simpler settlement paths. Aquanow's CEO noted that Visa's global network has moved money securely for years and now supports new digital tools. This partnership raises one question: can stablecoins reshape cross-border settlements for emerging markets?
Demand for Faster Cross-Border Transfers Rises
Financial institutions across CEMEA are searching for quicker processing tools as traditional banking hours slow international transfers. Visa's expansion gives them consistent access to settlement tools that operate every day of the year.
The company first added USDC to support settlement obligations, creating a programmable option for clearing. The setup helped reduce intermediaries that normally add time and cost to international movement.
Visa continued to enhance its stablecoin tools as institutional interest increased. The broader strategy reflects a move toward digital rails that offer speed, transparency, and predictable settlement.
Stablecoins also allow institutions to reduce dependence on multiple counterparties. This feature is gaining importance in emerging markets with fragmented payment systems and heavy remittance activity.
Visa Direct Pilot Broadens Digital Payout Options
Visa launched its second major stablecoin effort through its Visa Direct pilot. The program began in September 2025 and grew in November, offering businesses near-instant payouts funded by USDC.
The pilot targets creator platforms, gig-work companies, and global marketplaces. These industries often face payout delays because of banking hours and slow international routes.
Businesses can pre-fund balances with USDC, which improves their access to rapid disbursement tools. This setup helps platforms support workers who operate in global digital markets.
Visa also expanded its supported assets in July 2025 by adding new stablecoins like EURC. This update gives the network flexibility to choose the most efficient settlement route depending on liquidity and corridor conditions.
Visa's broader plan aims to reduce reliance on slow, multi-step banking systems. Stablecoins allow near-instant clearing and transparent reconciliation, which are increasingly important as institutions adopt digital settlement tools.
Conclusion
Visa's expansion of stablecoin settlement across the CEMEA region strengthens its shift toward quicker digital payment rails. The integration with Aquanow and the growth of USDC settlement flows show rising institutional demand for faster cross-border transactions. Institutions may now consider adopting similar tools to improve settlement efficiency.