Flutterwave is adding stablecoin balances to its payments platform. This marks a new step in how African businesses move money across borders. The move allows merchants and users to hold and transact using stablecoins alongside traditional currencies.
The launch is in partnership with Nuvion and Turnkey. Together, they provide the infrastructure that supports secure and verifiable stablecoin balances. Flutterwave says the goal is to make stablecoins part of everyday payments, not a niche tool.
The rollout begins with a limited group of merchants. They will be able to transact in USDC and USDT, as well as in US dollars and Nigerian naira. Flutterwave plans to expand access to all approved merchants later in the year, subject to regulatory checks.
Stablecoins are increasingly used to manage cross-border payments in markets with slow and costly transfers. By adding stablecoin balances, Flutterwave is targeting faster settlement times and lower transaction fees for businesses that serve customers outside their home countries.
Stablecoins Meet Fiat
“To accelerate business growth in Africa, payments must be safe, easy and affordable,” said Nkem Abuah, who leads remittances and stablecoin partnerships at Flutterwave. He said stablecoins offer businesses another regulated way to receive funds from global customers.
The integration also introduces embedded wallets within Flutterwave’s platform. These wallets are supported by Turnkey’s blockchain infrastructure and Nuvion’s banking and payments system, which connects both fiat and stablecoin rails.
Turnkey’s CEO, Bryce Ferguson, said stablecoins can reduce reliance on intermediaries and allow more money to reach business owners directly. He added that embedded wallets make it easier for companies to use blockchain-based payments without managing complex systems themselves.
Flutterwave’s move comes as stablecoin use grows across payments, trading and decentralised finance platforms worldwide. For African merchants, the company says the aim is practical: simpler cross-border trade, always-on payments, and more choice in how value is stored and moved.
