MoneyGram and fintech firm NALA have partnered to facilitate cross-border transactions into emerging markets using stablecoin-based settlement infrastructure.
The collaboration leverages NALA’s Rafiki platform to provide near real-time payouts across Africa and Asia.
By bypassing traditional correspondent banking delays, the service provides digital dollar-to-local currency transfers.
By using stablecoins as a settlement layer, the companies aim to eliminate the need for pre-funded liquidity in multiple jurisdictions—a common pain point for traditional money transfer operators. The integration allows for 24/7 payouts independent of standard banking hours.
The partnership is focused on practical financial inclusion, using technology to reduce foreign exchange costs and improve payout speeds for real-world transactions, Anthony Soohoo, CEO of MoneyGram, said.
Stablecoins have evolved into a "structural layer" for global money movement, according to the BVNK’s Stablecoin Utility Report 2026.
By adopting NALA’s licenced on- and off-ramp infrastructure, MoneyGram aims to match the lower fee structures and instant settlement speeds demanded by the 18-35 demographic in emerging markets.
Stablecoins provide a more efficient settlement layer than legacy systems, said Benjamin Fernandes, founder and CEO of NALA. He added that the collaboration combines the speed of digital assets with licensed local distribution infrastructure.
The partnership arrives as competition intensifies in the African fintech corridor. MoneyGram faces pressure from digital-native rivals such as Chipper Cash and Yellow Card.
For incumbents like MoneyGram, this move is as much a defensive necessity as it is an innovation, according to industry analysts from Ezeebit and Enza Capital.
As stablecoins become a primary rail for fast-growing economies, the collaboration serves as a blueprint for a borderless digital economy.
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