Dubai, UAE – November 12th, 2025 – Chainwire
WeFi, the world’s first deobank redefining financial sovereignty through decentralized infrastructure, has announced the appointment of Michael Batuev as Global Head of Payments. The former Visa digital solutions lead brings over 18 years of fintech and banking experience to accelerate WeFi’s expansion across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other key regions.
Michael Batuev, an alumnus of FESAEM and MIT, has built his career at the intersection of finance, technology, and innovation strategy. At Tangem, he contributed to the development of the first self-custody payment card integrated with a cold crypto wallet, effectively bridging traditional finance (TradFi) with decentralized finance (DeFi). Prior to that, at Visa, Michael spearheaded emerging product initiatives that expanded mobile and peer-to-peer payments globally, drove the adoption of contactless payments, and advanced NFC-wearable technologies. Earlier in his career, he gained extensive experience developing retail digital services, R&D, card programs, and managing joint venture projects.
“The payments industry is now at a turning point,” said Michael Batuev, WeFi’s Global Head of Payments. “Legacy systems are struggling to keep up with the fluid, borderless nature of digital finance. WeFi’s model combines the trust of banking with the freedom of Web3. It creates the foundation for what modern payments should be: instant, transparent, and truly global. I’m thrilled to help build that future.”
In his new role, Michael will lead the development of WeFi’s payments infrastructure across all regions, beginning with Europe and the Asia-Pacific. His focus will include product strategy, partnerships, financial services, and scalable adoption of DeFi frameworks.
Co-founded by Maksym Sakharov, WeFi positions itself as the blueprint for decentralized finance that adheres to the compliance standards of modern banking. The company’s mission is to merge the accessibility of DeFi with the reliability of TradFi, giving users control over their assets while maintaining full legal and operational transparency.
The addition of Michael Batuev marks another significant step toward institutional-grade scalability for WeFi.
“Michael understands how the world’s largest payment networks work and, even more importantly, where they can be significantly strengthened using Web3,” commented Maksym Sakharov, Founder and Group CEO of WeFi. “Having Michael join us feels like unlocking the next level of payments development. At WeFi, what we’re trying to build is not actually a bank; it’s a new kind of financial infrastructure that gives people control and freedom. Michael’s arrival makes that vision real.”
Michael Batuev’s appointment aligns perfectly with WeFi’s ambition to evolve from a disruptive DeFi player into a global financial ecosystem. As fintech competition intensifies, WeFi’s “deobank” model aims to provide users with end-to-end financial autonomy, including cards, deposits, loans, and payments—all conducted on-chain while regulated within clear, compliant frameworks.
With growing institutional and retail interest in on-chain banking worldwide, WeFi’s timing is strategic. The company is expanding its European operations and launching new Asia-Pacific partnerships in digital-asset-friendly jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UAE. Michael’s cross-market expertise, spanning corporate banking and global payment networks, positions him well to unify these efforts.
About WeFi
WeFi is the world’s first deobank—a Decentralized Onchain Bank leveraging blockchain technology to simplify the DeFi experience while keeping it fast, secure, and efficient. Beyond traditional financial services like virtual cards, loans, and asset transfers, WeFi offers non-custodial accounts and stablecoin earnings powered by AI agents.
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https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/ex-visa-payments-leader-michael-batuev-joins-wefi-to-supercharge-global-payments-roll-out/
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