Chandra Wibowo
In a significant development for the burgeoning enterprise Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, AIsa, a company focused on building infrastructure for AI agents, announced today the successful completion of its seed extension round. This crucial funding injection saw the participation of prominent industry players, Tether and HIVEN, as strategic investors, underscoring a growing confidence in AIsa’s vision. The round has propelled AIsa’s total funding beyond the $9 million mark, with existing investors including Alibaba, Tribe Capital, Sumitomo Corporation, Draper Associates, and Saison Capital also participating, reinforcing the company’s robust backing.
The strategic entry of Tether, a leading stablecoin issuer, and HIVEN, another key entity in the digital asset space, into AIsa’s investor base signals a critical convergence of AI technology and blockchain infrastructure. This partnership is poised to accelerate AIsa’s mission to create a "Trusted Resource and Transaction Network for Enterprise AI Agents." The company aims to bridge the gap between the potential of AI agents and their practical, large-scale deployment in enterprise environments.
Jordan Liu, founder and CEO of San Francisco-based AIsa, articulated the company’s core objective: "Enterprise AI agents need trusted information, useful tools and a governed way to transact." Liu further elaborated on the company’s ambition, stating, "Our vision is to build the infrastructure that enables agents to discover, access and pay for resources globally, while giving enterprises full control over permissions, spending and transactions. We are excited to welcome Tether and HIVEN as strategic investors as we accelerate the transition from AI assistants to autonomous, production-ready agents." This statement highlights a critical pain point in the current AI landscape: the fragmented nature of resources, integrations, and billing systems, which hampers the efficient and scalable operation of AI agents in real-world production settings. AIsa’s proposed solution is to consolidate resource discovery, access, and transactions into a unified, governed, and usage-based network. This network intends to connect enterprise AI agents to a wide array of external data, AI search capabilities, sophisticated models, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), software tools, and specialized industry services. Crucially, it aims to combine this access with robust usage metering, transparent billing, and seamless settlement processes, addressing a significant operational challenge for businesses leveraging AI.
The investment from Tether and HIVEN is particularly noteworthy. Tether’s deep understanding of digital asset markets and its extensive global reach could provide AIsa with invaluable insights and access to a vast network of potential users and partners. HIVEN’s involvement further suggests a strategic alignment with entities that understand the intricate technological and financial underpinnings of decentralized systems and their application in enterprise solutions. This collaboration is not merely financial; it represents a synergistic partnership aimed at building the foundational infrastructure necessary for the next generation of AI-driven business operations. The $9 million in seed extension funding positions AIsa to significantly scale its development efforts, expand its team, and accelerate the rollout of its platform. This move comes at a time when enterprises are increasingly exploring the deployment of AI agents for tasks ranging from customer service and data analysis to complex workflow automation. The ability to govern these agents, control their spending, and ensure the integrity of their transactions is paramount for widespread adoption, a need that AIsa aims to fulfill.
In parallel developments within the digital asset ecosystem, Circle, the issuer of the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin, is reportedly charting an ambitious course for global expansion. According to a statement made by CEO and Chairman Jeremy Allaire, the company is actively seeking to establish a presence in approximately 40 developing markets. This strategic push signifies a significant shift in Circle’s growth trajectory, moving beyond its established presence in more developed economies to tap into the burgeoning potential of emerging markets.
Allaire, speaking on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, described the current phase of blockchain technology adoption as an "inflection point," transitioning from an "early adopter phase" to "mainstream scaling." He identified Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East as regions experiencing a surge in demand for stablecoins. This demand, Allaire explained, is driven by businesses and individuals seeking more accessible and efficient pathways into the global internet-based economic system. The appeal of stablecoins in these regions is multifaceted. They offer a hedge against currency volatility, provide a more cost-effective alternative to traditional cross-border payments, and facilitate participation in the digital economy for those underserved by conventional financial institutions. Circle’s expansion into these markets could unlock significant economic opportunities, enabling greater financial inclusion and fostering innovation. The company’s focus on regulatory compliance and building trusted financial infrastructure is expected to be a key differentiator as it navigates diverse regulatory landscapes. The potential impact of this expansion could be substantial, democratizing access to financial services and empowering economic growth in regions that have historically faced barriers to participation.
Further underscoring the practical benefits of stablecoin technology, a recent report from the payments network Borderless.xyz has highlighted the substantial cost savings associated with stablecoin-funded remittances. The third-quarter report reveals that these remittances can be up to 84% cheaper than traditional money transfer methods. The data indicates that sending $200 via stablecoin payment networks incurs a median cost of just $2, representing approximately 1% of the transaction value. In stark contrast, conventional remittances for the same amount cost an average of $12.72, or 6.36%. These figures, which compare Borderless’s third-quarter 2026 pricing with World Bank data from the previous year, paint a compelling picture of efficiency gains.
The savings are particularly pronounced in emerging markets, where the cost of remittances can be a significant burden for individuals and families. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for instance, stablecoin remittances cost a mere 2.9% compared to the 8.46% charged by traditional services. Similarly, in Latin America, the disparity is stark, with stablecoin transfers costing 1.25% against 5.64% for conventional methods. These figures represent substantial savings for individuals relying on remittances to support their families, freeing up more capital for essential needs and local investment.
The benefits extend beyond individual remittances to business transactions as well. A $10,000 stablecoin-funded transfer to the Eurozone can cost as little as $26, a significant reduction from the $135 to $150 typically charged for international bank wires, which often include additional foreign exchange costs. This cost efficiency for businesses can translate into improved profit margins and greater competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Beyond cost, stablecoin payouts also demonstrate superior speed. In markets like Brazil and Colombia, stablecoin transactions settled in a median of just two minutes, with Mexico following closely at three minutes. This contrasts sharply with traditional SWIFT transfers, which typically take until the next business day to settle. The accelerated settlement times can significantly improve cash flow management for businesses and provide recipients with quicker access to funds.
However, the Borderless report also acknowledges variations in reliability, influenced by local payment infrastructure. While payment completion rates reached an impressive 98.6% in Mexico, they dipped to 73% in Costa Rica. This highlights the ongoing need to develop and integrate robust local payment networks to ensure the consistent and reliable delivery of stablecoin-based transactions across all markets. Despite these challenges, the overarching trend points towards stablecoins offering a more efficient, cost-effective, and faster alternative for cross-border payments and remittances, particularly in regions where traditional financial services are less accessible or more expensive. The growing adoption and the strategic investments by companies like Circle underscore the transformative potential of stablecoins in reshaping global finance. The convergence of advancements in enterprise AI infrastructure, as exemplified by AIsa’s funding round, with the practical utility of stablecoins for global commerce and remittances, signifies a dynamic and evolving landscape in the digital economy. As these technologies mature and gain broader acceptance, their impact on how businesses operate and how individuals interact with financial systems is expected to be profound.
