Visa has deployed USDC-based settlement infrastructure across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, partnering with crypto infrastructure provider Aquanow. The system enables approved financial institutions to execute 24/7 cross-border settlements outside traditional banking hours, bypassing correspondent banking networks.

Stani Kulechov, CEO of Aave, welcomed the UK tax authority's consultation outcome on DeFi activities published November 27, 2025. The proposal introduces a 'no gain, no loss' framework for cryptoasset deposits into lending protocols, meaning users would not face capital gains tax when depositing collateral. Kulechov described the approach as a significant benefit for UK DeFi users who borrow stablecoins against crypto holdings.

Visa has partnered with crypto infrastructure provider Aquanow to enable stablecoin-based transaction settlements across Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa. The collaboration will allow financial institutions to settle payments using approved stablecoins including USDC, targeting cost reduction and faster settlement times. The system aims to support continuous operations while addressing friction points in cross-border transactions.

The Bank for International Settlements has warned that tokenized money-market funds pose potential systemic risks after expanding from $770 million to nearly $9 billion in under a year. The organization cited concerns that instant on-chain settlement could outpace traditional asset liquidation during redemption surges, potentially creating liquidity mismatches. BIS also noted that some tokenized funds now serve as collateral for leveraged positions, which could enable rapid contagion across crypto sectors during periods of stress.

Web3 investment firm DWF Labs unveiled a $75 million fund on November 26 to back next-generation decentralized finance infrastructure. The capital will support teams building perpetual decentralized exchanges, money markets, and yield protocols on Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, and Base. The firm will prioritize projects with functional products addressing liquidity provisioning, settlement systems, and on-chain risk management.

South Korean technology company Naver and digital asset operator Dunamu announced a five-year investment of 10 trillion Korean won ($6.8 billion) to develop financial infrastructure integrating artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. The investment follows Naver Financial's acquisition of Dunamu, parent company of South Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, through a share-swap arrangement. The partnership aims to establish a comprehensive system spanning payments, settlements, and broader financial services.

Securitize secured regulatory approval from Spain's CNMV on Wednesday to operate a trading and settlement system under the EU's DLT Pilot Regime. The firm will build its European infrastructure on Avalanche, with the first issuance planned for early 2026.

Crypto market maker DWF Labs has launched a $75 million proprietary fund targeting decentralized finance infrastructure across Ethereum, BNB Chain, Solana, and Base. The fund will support projects addressing liquidity provisioning, settlement systems, credit mechanisms, and on-chain risk management, according to co-founder Andrei Grachev. The vehicle is not currently accepting external investors.