Visa Integrates Stablecoin for International Transaction Settlement

Source: TokocryptoBlog Original Title: Visa Starts Using Stablecoin for Global Settlement Original Link: Visa officially makes stablecoins a core part of the international transaction settlement system. This major step is implemented in the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) regions, making it one of Visa's most aggressive blockchain implementations to date.

The company uses USDC as a settlement tool through collaboration with the crypto infrastructure company Aquanow.

Focus Behind the Banking System

Instead of targeting retail users or Web3 cards, Visa is focusing on areas that are invisible to consumers: the backend mechanisms that determine how quickly money moves between banks.

With stablecoins, cross-border transactions can be completed at any time, including outside of banking hours, on weekends, and on holidays.

Why is Visa Doing This Now

Banks and payment providers in the CEMEA region demand faster settlement, especially for high-volume transaction corridors. The old system still relies on a lengthy correspondent banking chain.

Through USDC, institutions can now:

• Transferring international funds without waiting for bank operating hours
• Reducing settlement costs related to FX and intermediaries
• Completing transactions directly on the blockchain, not on the old network.

Visa emphasizes that this step is modernization, not disruption.

Global Trends: Stablecoins Leave the Crypto World

Stablecoins are increasingly becoming institutional liquidity tools outside the crypto ecosystem.

Deutsche Börse announced plans to integrate the EURAU stablecoin for custody and settlement services. Previously, they collaborated with Circle (EURC) and Société Générale-Forge (EURCV).

If this expansion spreads, stablecoins are likely to enter the mainstream financial system faster than CBDCs.

This Visa step also triggers discussions on new regulations. The Basel Committee is reviewing the 1,250% risk weight for cryptocurrency asset exposures, while the Bank of England stated that the UK is likely to align with the regulations on stablecoins in the United States.

Long-Term Impact

The adoption of stablecoins in CEMEA is a strong signal that the shift from the old payment infrastructure to blockchain-based settlement is underway.

The potential impacts include:

• Global settlement 24/7 for banks and fintech
• Decreased dependence on SWIFT
• Hybrid financial system between fiat and blockchain

Visa itself does not dismantle its old system. The company instead builds a parallel infrastructure capable of handling speeds and reliability that traditional networks cannot meet.