Tether Backs SQRIL to Expand QR-Based Cross-Border Payments

• Tether expands real-world stablecoin use through strategic investment in QR-based cross-border payments.
• SQRIL bridges stablecoins, banks, and digital wallets across emerging global payment markets.

Stablecoin company Tether has announced its investment in SQRIL, a real-time, QR code-based cross-border payments platform. The investment amount was not disclosed. The investment aims to promote the use of stablecoins in cross-border transactions, with a focus on markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which have high remittance volumes and widespread QR adoption. SQRIL builds a practical approach. Its system enables API integration with traditional banks like Barclays and Bank of America, while also connecting to widely used digital finance applications, including Venmo, Revolut, and Cash App. On the user side, payments are simply made by scanning a QR code, while behind the scenes, the transaction is settled across systems. This is where Tether comes in, bringing stablecoins as a fast and stable means of value settlement. SQRIL Founder & CEO Malcolm Weed stated that:

“I believe we are at the early stages of instant payment interoperability between banks, e-wallets, and merchants of different countries, and SQRIL plans to be an important part of that infrastructure. With the rise of national QR code schemes, stablecoins, and the global movement of people, there needs to be a better way to pay across borders.”

Tether Pushes QR-Based Payments Without Breaking Banking Links Tether’s funding will be directed towards developing a cross-border payments solution that combines stablecoins and QR codes. The setup simplifies how money moves, trims operational costs, and mirrors familiar retail payment behavior. It also keeps a foot in the traditional banking world, which helps the rollout move forward without asking people to suddenly change the way they pay for things. It offers a practical way for small businesses, migrant workers, and local service operators to accept payments from abroad while avoiding unnecessary complications and steep costs. On January 1, we reported that Tether added 8,888 BTC in early 2026, continuing its quarterly gradual accumulation strategy and pushing its Bitcoin reserves into the ranks of major global wallets. Furthermore, in mid-December, we highlighted Tether’s move to acquire Juventus through a full bid, a sign that crypto companies are moving beyond sponsorship to direct ownership in the world of sports. Also, in late October, we covered Tether’s partnership with Rumble to introduce a Bitcoin tipping feature for creators, which has been tested and is targeted for widespread use in the near future.