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- Circle Ventures partnered with Crossmint to expand USDC across blockchains.
- Stablecoins are gaining traction in inflation-hit economies like Argentina and Colombia.
- Tether (USDT) still dominates the market, with far higher volume and supply than USDC.
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Stablecoin issuer Circle is deepening its push into global payments with a new partnership between its venture arm and crypto infrastructure firm Crossmint. The collaboration aims to scale USDC across multiple blockchains and make it accessible to billions of users — including AI-powered applications.
Building Rails for Human and Machine Finance
Crossmint announced the deal Wednesday, highlighting how its wallet and API tools will integrate with USDC to enable instant transactions, simplified onramps, and “agentic payments.” The company sees stablecoins as the foundation for a financial system designed for both humans and AI agents.
Developers increasingly view AI as the next major user of blockchain. Coinbase engineers Kevin Leffew and Lincoln Murr suggested that future AI agents could rely on stablecoins to pay for services like autonomous taxis, content publishing, or decentralized storage. By embedding stablecoins into everyday apps, these agents could accelerate blockchain adoption beyond human activity alone.
Stablecoins in High-Inflation Economies
The partnership also reflects a growing real-world demand for stablecoins. In countries like Argentina, citizens often turn to US dollar-pegged tokens to protect savings from rapid inflation and tight currency controls. Many purchase stablecoins through informal “crypto caves,” highlighting their role as lifelines in fragile economies.
Crossmint’s infrastructure already underpins MoneyGram’s crypto app, which launched in Colombia last week. The app allows locals to store and receive USDC, providing a dollar-denominated alternative to the weakening peso. With more than 50 million customers in 190 countries, MoneyGram’s scale could significantly extend USDC’s reach.
Also Read: Circle Launches Arc Blockchain with USDC Gas
USDT Still Dominates the Market
Despite these efforts, Circle still faces stiff competition. Tether (USDT) remains the dominant stablecoin, with nearly $100 billion in daily trading volume — almost ten times that of USDC. USDT’s $173 billion market cap also far exceeds USDC’s $74 billion, with much of its growth fueled by adoption on the Tron network.
The Circle–Crossmint partnership is a bet that stablecoins will not only serve individuals in inflation-hit regions but also power the next generation of AI-driven finance. Whether USDC can close the gap with Tether remains uncertain, but its global push and focus on real-world utility mark a significant step forward.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
I’m your translator between the financial Old World and the new frontier of crypto. After a career demystifying economics and markets, I enjoy elucidating crypto – from investment risks to earth-shaking potential. Let’s explore!
