Visa has made a strategic investment in BVNK, a London-based startup specializing in stablecoin payment infrastructure, through its Visa Ventures arm. This move underscores Visa’s commitment to integrating digital assets into global payment systems.
BVNK, which processes approximately $12 billion in stablecoin transactions annually, offers a platform that connects banks and blockchains via a single API. The company emphasizes compliance, utilizing automated onboarding, real-time sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring, supported by partnerships with firms like Chainalysis and Elliptic.
Electronic Payments International
Jesse Hemson-Struthers, CEO of BVNK, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating that combining Visa’s expertise in global payment networks with BVNK’s stablecoin infrastructure presents significant opportunities to redefine business operations in the digital economy.
Rubail Birwadker, Visa’s head of products and partnerships, highlighted the growing role of stablecoins in global payment flows and reaffirmed Visa’s dedication to investing in emerging technologies that shape the future of commerce.
This investment follows BVNK’s $50 million Series B funding round in December 2024, led by Haun Ventures, with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Scribble Ventures, DRW VC, and existing investors Avenir and Tiger Global. The company plans to leverage this momentum to expand its presence in the United States, aiming to develop local banking infrastructure and obtain operational licenses to serve domestic companies.
Visa’s engagement with BVNK aligns with its broader strategy to embrace digital currencies and blockchain technology. In late 2024, Visa introduced the Visa Tokenized Asset Platform, designed to facilitate the issuance and management of tokenized assets, including stablecoins and central bank digital currencies. Additionally, Visa enabled real-time fund transfers for Coinbase users with eligible Visa debit cards, further integrating cryptocurrency into its payment ecosystem.
The collaboration between Visa and BVNK signifies a pivotal step toward modernizing global payment systems, enhancing efficiency, and promoting the adoption of stablecoin-based transactions in mainstream commerce.
