KEY FACTS: Circle, the issuer of USD Coin (USDC), has announced strategic partnerships with Mastercard and Finastra to expand stablecoin adoption in global financial systems. Mastercard will enable USDC and Euro Coin (EURC) settlements for merchants and acquirers in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, marking its first stablecoin integration in the region, with Arab Financial Services and Eazy Financial Services leading adoption. Concurrently, Finastra’s Global PAYplus platform, processing $5 trillion daily, will allow banks in over 50 countries to settle cross-border payments in USDC, reducing reliance on costly correspondent banking networks. These collaborations, supported by the U.S. GENIUS Act and Circle’s 90% year-over-year USDC circulation growth to $65.2 billion, position stablecoins as a transformative force in global payments.

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Sources: Circle, Mastercard, Finastra

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Circle Partners with Mastercard and Finastra to Boost Global Stablecoin Adoption

Circle, the issuer of the USD Coin (USDC), has announced partnerships with global payments giant Mastercard and London-based financial software provider Finastra. These collaborations, unveiled on August 27, 2025, aim to embed USDC into merchant and banking networks worldwide, marking a pivotal step in Circle’s broader strategy to drive global adoption of its dollar-backed stablecoin across regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Mastercard, a leader in global payment processing, revealed that it will enable acquirers and merchants in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) to settle transactions using USDC and Euro Coin (EURC), Circle’s euro-pegged stablecoin. This marks the first time stablecoin settlement will be available through Mastercard’s network in the EEMEA region, a development poised to enhance the efficiency of cross-border transactions. Arab Financial Services and Eazy Financial Services, two prominent financial entities in the region, will be the first to adopt this service, setting a precedent for broader stablecoin integration in mainstream finance.

The partnership builds on an earlier pilot between Circle and Mastercard, which explored USDC settlement for cross-border payments in select markets. The collaboration is leveraging blockchain technology to reduce settlement times and costs, offering merchants and acquirers a faster, more cost-effective alternative to traditional payment rails. Dimitrios Dosis, Mastercard’s President for EEMEA, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, stating,

“Leveraging stablecoins creates a more efficient and trusted digital trade environment, bridging blockchain-native assets with traditional financial infrastructure.”

The integration of USDC and EURC into Mastercard’s network shows a growing recognition of stablecoins’ potential to transform global commerce. With combined stablecoin transaction volumes now surpassing those of traditional payment giants like Visa and PayPal, Mastercard’s move underscores the competitive pressure on incumbent networks to adapt to the rise of digital currencies.

In a parallel announcement, Finastra, a financial software provider serving over 8,000 customers, including 45 of the world’s top 50 banks, revealed its integration of USDC into its Global PAYplus (GPP) platform. This platform processes over $5 trillion in cross-border transactions daily, making it a cornerstone of global banking infrastructure. The partnership enables banks in over 50 countries to settle international payments in USDC, even when payment instructions are denominated in fiat currencies such as the U.S. dollar, euro, or British pound.

This integration is designed to reduce reliance on traditional correspondent banking networks, which are often criticized for high fees, slow processing times, and operational inefficiencies. By connecting Finastra’s payment hub to Circle’s blockchain-based infrastructure, banks can access innovative settlement options without needing to overhaul their existing systems. Chris Walters, CEO of Finastra, highlighted the collaboration’s significance, stating,

“This is about giving banks the tools they need to innovate in cross-border payments without building standalone infrastructure. Our clients can now explore new payment models while maintaining compliance and foreign exchange processes.”

These partnerships are part of Circle’s aggressive strategy to embed USDC into the world’s financial arteries, from merchant settlements to institutional banking. The company’s efforts come on the heels of the U.S. passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025, which established the first federal regulatory framework for stablecoins, providing clarity and encouraging institutional adoption. Circle’s stock, listed under NYSE: CRCL, has seen significant momentum, with a 55% gain over the past six months, reflecting investor confidence in the stablecoin market’s growth.

Circle’s recent financial performance underscores the rising demand for USDC. In its Q2 2025 earnings report, the company reported a 90% year-over-year increase in USDC circulation, reaching $65.2 billion by August 2025. Total revenue and reserve income grew 53% to $658 million, though the company posted a net loss of $482 million, largely due to non-cash charges tied to its June initial public offering (IPO). Despite the loss, analysts remain optimistic, with Needham reiterating a Buy rating and a $250 price target, citing USDC’s growing role in global payments.

Beyond Mastercard and Finastra, Circle has pursued a series of strategic partnerships to expand USDC’s footprint. On July 31, 2025, Circle partnered with OKX, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, to introduce zero-fee USDC-to-USD conversions, enhancing liquidity in key markets across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. In August, Circle executives met with the CEOs of South Korea’s four largest banks—KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori—to discuss on-chain integrations and the potential issuance of a won-backed stablecoin. Additionally, Circle joined forces with SBI Group, Ripple, and Startale in a joint venture to promote USDC adoption in Japan and develop a tokenized asset trading platform for real-world assets.

The collaborations with Mastercard and Finastra reflect a broader trend of stablecoin adoption in traditional finance, driven by the need for faster, more transparent, and cost-effective payment solutions. USDC, with a market capitalization of $69.34 billion and a 24-hour trading volume of $18.92 billion as of August 28, 2025, is the world’s largest regulated stablecoin, natively supported on 24 blockchain networks. Its ability to maintain a stable 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar, backed by highly liquid cash and cash-equivalent assets, has made it a trusted tool for global transactions.

The integration of USDC into platforms like Global PAYplus and Mastercard’s network highlights the potential for stablecoins to reshape cross-border payments. These partnerships are reducing reliance on correspondent banking chains and addressing longstanding pain points in international transfers, such as high fees and delays. Industry observers note that Finastra’s vast scale could accelerate stablecoin adoption faster than previous initiatives, such as Visa’s earlier collaboration with Circle.

Moreover, the partnerships align with the growing demand for programmable money in global commerce and treasury markets. Circle’s development of Arc, a new Layer-1 blockchain designed for stablecoin finance, further underscores its commitment to building a full-stack platform for the internet financial system. Expected to launch in public testnet later in 2025, Arc will use USDC as its native gas token, enabling seamless transaction fee payments.

The Circle-Mastercard-Finastra partnerships signal a turning point in the integration of blockchain technology into traditional financial systems. As stablecoins gain traction, they are poised to challenge conventional payment networks by offering faster settlements, lower costs, and greater transparency. The EEMEA region’s adoption of USDC and EURC through Mastercard, combined with Finastra’s enablement of USDC settlements for banks in 50 countries, positions Circle as a leader in the tokenized finance revolution.

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Information Sources:

• Circle
• Finastra
• Impact News
• Cointelegraph

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