TL;DR
- Rezolve AI has acquired Smartpay, a fintech company that processed over $1 billion in USDt transactions across Latin America and Africa in the past year.
- The move strengthens Rezolve’s strategic collaboration with Tether and enhances its AI-driven commerce platform.
- The integration aims to expand blockchain-based payments globally, combining stablecoin efficiency with instant fiat settlements for merchants.
Rezolve AI’s acquisition of Smartpay marks a significant step forward in merging artificial intelligence with blockchain-based commerce. The deal, announced Tuesday, deepens Rezolve’s alliance with Tether and positions the company to lead innovation in stablecoin payments across emerging markets. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Smartpay, founded in 2019, built its reputation by enabling seamless stablecoin transactions and instant fiat conversion, reducing volatility risks for merchants. Over the past 12 months, the company handled more than 19 million commercial transactions, surpassing $1 billion in USDt value processed. Its operations span Latin America and Central Africa—regions with strong demand for efficient, low-cost payment alternatives.
Expanding Digital Finance Across Emerging Economies
By integrating Smartpay’s infrastructure, Rezolve AI plans to enhance its global payment ecosystem, giving consumers more flexibility to use digital assets for everyday transactions. Merchants will benefit from instant fiat settlements, ensuring stability and compliance while maintaining the speed and borderless nature of crypto payments.
Rezolve AI’s CEO, Daniel M. Wagner, emphasized that Smartpay provides a proven, transaction-tested foundation for scaling blockchain-based payment solutions worldwide. This approach aligns with Rezolve’s goal of embedding digital assets directly into AI-powered e-commerce platforms. The company is also exploring partnerships with local banks and mobile operators to accelerate crypto adoption in underserved regions where digital infrastructure is still developing.
Smartpay’s inclusion also places Rezolve AI among established crypto payment players like BitPay and Coinbase Commerce, but with a sharper focus on AI integration and real-time analytics.
AI And Stablecoins Driving The Next Payment Evolution
A joint study by Reown and YouGov found that AI and crypto payments are becoming the strongest engines for blockchain adoption. Industry leaders argue that this convergence not only improves efficiency but also boosts trust and usability.
Google’s recent Agent Payments Protocol with Coinbase demonstrates this synergy, allowing AI systems to autonomously execute stablecoin transactions. Analysts predict that AI agents could soon become the primary users of stablecoins, leveraging their programmability and borderless capabilities to redefine global commerce. The growing intersection of intelligent systems and decentralized finance is now viewed as a catalyst for the next wave of digital payment innovation.
