Visa integrates Aquanow platform to launch USDC clearing in CEMEA region, with monthly stablecoin volume set to exceed $2.5 billion by 2025.
Global payments giant Visa is stepping up its digital asset strategy with a new partnership with institutional digital asset platform Aquanow. The initiative will enable banks and merchants in the Central Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA) region to clear payments using regulated stablecoins like USDC, cutting out intermediaries and operating costs.
Aquanow specializes in providing liquidation and infrastructure solutions to banks, fintechs and brokers. Connecting Aquanow’s infrastructure to the Visa technology platform will enable financial institutions in the region to access modern clearing methods, shorten processing times and reduce complexity compared to traditional systems.
From pilot to commercial scale
Visa will begin clearing USDC in 2023, marking the transition from experimentation to real-world use. In just two years, the group’s monthly stablecoin volume will exceed $2.5 billion by 2025, reflecting strong market demand for fast and cost-effective cross-border payment solutions.
Godfrey Sullivan, Visa’s Director of Products and Solutions for CEMEA, highlighted the partnership with Aquanow as an important step towards modernising clearing and reducing dependence on the traditional financial system. He affirmed that the goal is to create a more flexible payment ecosystem for partners in the region.
Phil Sham, CEO of Aquanow, said the joint solution will help banks and payment acceptors in the region connect to the digital economy with significantly greater speed and transparency. This is particularly relevant in the CEMEA market, where cross-border payment infrastructure is limited.
The move is part of Visa’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the digital assets space. The company is continuously upgrading its Distributed Ledger technology capabilities, positioning itself as a bridge between traditional finance and the rapidly growing digital economy.
