South African payments business CrissCross has secured investment from Circle Ventures to expand its stablecoin-powered cross-border payments infrastructure across Africa.
Announced on 26 October 2026, the investment was made through CrissCross’s parent company, Stitch Group. The value of the deal was not disclosed. Circle Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Circle Internet Group.
Tackling cross-border payment challenges
CrissCross aims to help businesses navigate payment routes where currency volatility and limited liquidity can make international transfers slow and expensive.
Its platform connects blockchain-based settlement with local payment networks, allowing funds to reach bank accounts and mobile wallets. The company says it operates across more than 30 African markets and supports over 20 currencies.
Building infrastructure for businesses
CrissCross provides collections, automated payouts, treasury management and foreign exchange services through a single software connection. Its customers include multinational businesses, financial institutions and other platforms moving money across African borders.
The investment will support the expansion of this infrastructure, with the company positioning stablecoin settlement as a way to improve payment speed, cost and transparency.
Circle backs African expansion
“Africa’s cross-border payments market is massive, complex, and underserved,” said CrissCross general manager James Cope.
Cope described the investment as validation of the company’s approach. Brian Schultz, Circle’s vice president of corporate development and ventures, said the firm was backing CrissCross’s efforts to scale payments infrastructure across challenging African markets.
