Visa Brings Stablecoins to Card Settlements: What This Means for Africa

By Linet Amuli - Reporter

Kenya, February 02,2026 - A new settlement model built around stablecoins is reshaping how card payments could be processed globally and has particular significance for emerging markets such as in Africa.

Fintech infrastructure company NymCard has rolled out a system that allows card transactions to be settled with Visa using a dollar‑backed stablecoin, USDC. Under this approach, transactions can be reconciled in real time instead of waiting for traditional banking settlement windows that operate only during business hours. This represents a shift toward faster, more efficient backend payments infrastructure.

The use of USDC, a fully reserved and regulated digital dollar created by Circle, enables 24/7 settlement on blockchain rails, meaning funds can be moved any time of day, including weekends and holidays. By integrating stablecoin settlement with Visa’s global payment network, issuers can reduce pre‑funding requirements and liquidity pressures that are common with traditional settlement systems.

Visa’s expansion of stablecoin settlement is not limited to one region. The company has been extending this capability across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) through partnerships with digital asset infrastructure firms such as Aquanow. This initiative enables Visa’s network of issuers and acquirers to settle transactions using approved stablecoins like USDC, cutting settlement times and operational friction associated with interbank processes.

In 2025, Visa also rolled out USDC settlement in the United States, allowing partner banks to settle obligations directly with USDC over blockchain networks such as Solana. The pilot has already processed substantial stablecoin volumes and plans broader availability into 2026.

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Stablecoins are increasingly seen as a practical tool for modern payments. Their ability to move value quickly and transparently across borders makes them attractive for regions where traditional banking infrastructure can be fragmented and settlement delays common. Stablecoins are now accounting for a growing share of digital asset activity and are being explored to reduce the high cost of cross-border transactions, which historically was a major barrier for remittances and trade flows.

The combination of blockchain settlement and stablecoins could benefit financial institutions and fintechs operating in Africa by enabling more efficient multi-currency settlements, reducing reliance on correspondent banking networks, and lowering transaction costs that often disproportionately affect smaller economies.

Although stablecoin settlement is still evolving, its integration into mainstream card networks like Visa signals a broader shift toward programmable, digital settlement infrastructure that could one day support faster, cheaper, and more inclusive payment systems in developing markets.