MoneyGram and NALA Partner to Use Stablecoins for Payouts in Africa and Asia
MoneyGram, the global payments network serving consumers and businesses, has partnered with NALA, a stablecoin payments company, to support cross-border payouts into emerging markets using stablecoin-based settlement infrastructure.
According to the companies, the collaboration combines MoneyGram’s international payments network with NALA’s stablecoin settlement and local payout capabilities. The model is designed to move funds between digital dollars and local currencies in near real time, with MoneyGram using NALA’s licensed on- and off-ramp platform, Rafiki, to support payouts across Africa and Asia.
The platform connects MoneyGram to banks and mobile money providers in the region, with the stated aim of improving settlement speed and foreign exchange efficiency. The companies said the partnership is intended to address common inefficiencies in traditional cross-border payout systems, which often depend on correspondent banking networks and can involve delays, higher foreign exchange spreads and operational complexity.
By using stablecoin settlement, the partners said value can move more quickly across borders while still enabling access to local currencies through regulated payout channels. The companies described the approach as a way to combine the speed of digital asset settlement with the reliability of licensed local financial infrastructure.
Benefits for consumers and businesses
MoneyGram and NALA said the partnership could deliver several benefits for end users, including near real-time settlement, lower FX costs through local liquidity, 24/7 payout availability, and improved reliability via direct integrations with banks and mobile money providers. The companies also expect broader coverage across Africa and Asia.
From an operational perspective, MoneyGram said the structure may improve capital efficiency, strengthen treasury management, and reduce the need for pre-funded liquidity across multiple jurisdictions.
MoneyGram Chief Executive Anthony Soohoo said the partnership is focused on practical financial inclusion and real-world payment performance. “Financial inclusion only matters if it works in the real world. With NALA, we’re leveraging stablecoin settlement infrastructure to improve payout speed, reduce FX costs, and expand our ability to serve customers across emerging markets,” he said.
NALA founder and Chief Executive Benjamin Fernandes said stablecoins are creating a more efficient settlement layer for international payments. “Stablecoins are transforming global payments by providing a faster and more efficient settlement layer for cross-border transactions. By partnering with MoneyGram, we’re enabling a new generation of payouts into emerging markets combining the speed of stablecoin settlement with licensed local distribution infrastructure,” he said.
Use cases targeted by the partnership
The companies said the collaboration will support remittances to mobile wallets and bank accounts, payouts for global platforms and freelancers, treasury and liquidity management across currencies, and cross-border collections and local distribution for businesses.
Industry Analysis
The partnership highlights the growing role of stablecoins in cross-border payments, particularly in markets where speed, liquidity management and foreign exchange efficiency remain critical concerns. For payment providers, regulated stablecoin infrastructure may offer a way to reduce settlement friction while maintaining access to local payout networks. If adopted more widely, this model could influence how remittance and business payout flows are structured across emerging markets in Africa and Asia.
Featured image credit: MoneyGram press release
