Coinbase is Going Global With Stablecoin Payments

Coinbase and global payments firm Nium have launched a stablecoin integration that enables USD Coin (USDC) payments and fiat payouts across more than 190 countries. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced the tie-up on X, framing it as a step toward replacing slow correspondent banking with stablecoin settlement. The integration is live for Nium’s banking, fintech, and enterprise clients. We’re unlocking stablecoin payments around the world.Nium operates in 190+ countries. All their customers can fund payouts in USDC and settle to their local currencies, with no wire delays. https://t.co/eSQz85ibNM— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) April 26, 2026 How the Nium Integration Works Under the deal, Coinbase handles stablecoin liquidity, wallet services, and regulated custody for the integration, according to a joint statement. Clients can fund cross-border transfers in USDC, then settle in either USDC or local fiat currency. The arrangement removes the need for prefunded accounts in receiving currencies, the companies said. Stablecoins act as just-in-time liquidity, converting to local currency only when payouts settle. The setup also covers card programs. Businesses holding USDC balances can deploy them through stablecoin-backed cards at hundreds of millions of merchant locations worldwide, the firms said. Nium operates under more than 40 licenses globally and processes about $8 billion in annual payment volume. Its institutional client base includes Travelex, Deel, Ebury, and Bank BRI. “The future of money movement is multi-rail. Fiat and onchain infrastructure will increasingly work together, not in isolation.” Nium CEO Prajit Nanu made the comments in the joint announcement. Stablecoins Move Deeper Into Mainstream Payments The deal lands as USDC issuer Circle pushes to expand stablecoin infrastructure with banks and payment processors. Circle launched its Circle Payments Network earlier in April, a settlement product that lets institutions move USDC cross-border w...