Cross-border payments

Ripple has established a partnership with Jeonbuk Bank of South Korea. This collaboration is aimed at enabling cross-border payments between the two entities.

Western Union is launching Stablecard on the Visa network in 37 markets to facilitate cross-border payments and offer US dollar-denominated savings for consumers in volatile economies.

BIS Project Agorá successfully settled $1 million in tokenized cross-border payment trials involving 28 financial institutions and central banks. The trial used tokenized central bank reserves and commercial bank deposits across six currencies for real-value settlements.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to a reference currency, typically the U.S. dollar. They enable cross-border payments by allowing users to convert local currency into stablecoins, transfer them via blockchain networks, and receive the funds in the recipient's blockchain address.

Global banks are testing tokenized money for cross-border payments in a $1 million pilot led by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). The initiative explores the use of digital currencies to streamline international financial transactions.

The UK policy sprint identified cross-border payments as the primary use case for stablecoins, with industry participants highlighting their near-term benefits. Domestic UK retail adoption of stablecoins is expected to remain limited.

Cross-border transactions in Africa frequently depend on the US dollar as an intermediary currency, while direct exchange of African currencies remains challenging. Limited mechanisms exist for countries to settle payments using local currencies, highlighting issues with policy fragmentation and dollar dependence.

South Korea’s KB Kookmin Bank plans to launch a blockchain-based cross-border corporate payments service next month using JPMorgan’s Kinexys platform. The service is reported by Yonhap.

Russia’s State Duma is set to consider the crypto regulation bill in second and third readings. The bill includes provisions for investors and cross-border payments.

Swift launched a blockchain-based ledger to enable 17 banks to pilot 24/7 cross-border payments using tokenized deposits. The initiative aims to enhance cross-border transaction efficiency through tokenization technology.

MoneyGram launched MGUSD, a USD stablecoin on the Stellar blockchain, backed by Bridge and Fireblocks. The stablecoin targets 60 million+ customers for cross-border payments through MoneyGram's global network.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) reported that tokenization can enhance wholesale cross-border payments through atomic settlement across multiple jurisdictions. Project Agorá, led by BIS, demonstrated the potential of tokenization to improve efficiency in cross-border transactions.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) conducted a project finding that tokenization could enhance cross-border payments by making them faster and safer. The study highlights potential improvements in efficiency and security for international financial transactions.

Brazil's central bank has prohibited the use of stablecoins and cryptocurrencies for cross-border payment settlements. The decision aims to regulate digital currency usage in financial transactions.

The article argues Bitcoin adoption is occurring quietly in countries with unstable currencies, driven by necessity rather than mass awareness. It contrasts Bitcoin's role as a speculative asset in stable economies with its use as a survival tool in crisis regions, suggesting real adoption is inevitable by the time it gains Western attention.

Brazil's central bank has prohibited the use of cryptocurrencies in regulated cross-border payments under new foreign exchange (FX) rules. The measure aims to integrate all cross-border payments into the regulated FX system to enhance oversight and compliance.

African fintech companies are expanding globally to simplify cross-border payment solutions, aiming to enhance financial inclusion and efficiency across international transactions.

Visa has expanded its stablecoin settlement network, achieving a $7 billion transaction volume run rate. The company is enhancing its cross-border payment solutions using blockchain technology.

Juniper Research predicts cross-border B2B stablecoin payments will reach $5 trillion by 2035, driven by growing adoption of blockchain-based solutions in global trade.

Western Union is set to launch a stablecoin on the Solana blockchain in May 2026. The move aims to enhance cross-border payment solutions through blockchain technology.

XRP has completed an integration with SWIFT for a leading U.S. rail company, enhancing cross-border payment solutions. This partnership aims to improve efficiency in international transactions for the rail sector.

Nium has partnered with Coinbase to integrate USDC-based cross-border payments into its global network, enabling businesses to settle transactions in fiat or stablecoins without requiring prefunded accounts.

A user is seeking clarification on whether Bitrefill virtual debit cards can be used internationally, as documentation mentions multiple countries but their local website (USA) suggests domestic use only. They aim to make a legal foreign purchase using BTC.