Circle Targets 40 Developing Markets for USDC Stablecoin Expansion

Circle expands global reach to 40 developing regions

Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, is planning to enter approximately 40 developing markets. A stablecoin is a type of digital currency designed to maintain a steady value, often by being tied to a traditional currency like the U.S. dollar.

Jeremy Allaire, the CEO and chairman of Circle, shared these expansion plans while speaking in Bangkok. He noted that there is a growing demand for stablecoins in regions where individuals and businesses want to participate in the internet-based economy.

Key expansion details and market focus

• The expansion will target markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.
• Circle is focusing on regions with high demand for digital dollar access.
• The company recently agreed to a $400 million all-stock deal to acquire the payments platform Tazapay.

Mainstream scaling of blockchain technology

Speaking at the IMF and World Bank meetings, Allaire stated that the industry is at a turning point. He described a shift from an early adopter phase into a period of mainstream scaling for blockchain technology. Blockchain is a digital ledger used to record and verify transactions across a network of computers.

Growth in stablecoin transaction volume

Reports from analysts at Bernstein indicate that USDC has seen a significant increase in transaction activity. While it remains the second-largest dollar-backed stablecoin by total market value, its share of transaction volume rose to over 60% in 2026. This is an increase from roughly 40% in 2025.

Analysts suggest this growth is being driven by several factors. These include improved regulatory rules in the United States and the use of stablecoins for payments by artificial intelligence programs.

Acquisition timeline for cross-border payments

Circle is moving forward with its purchase of Tazapay, a platform based in Singapore that handles cross-border payments. This acquisition is a confirmed part of the company's strategy to expand its services. The deal is currently expected to be finalized in 2027.

Sources

• Cointelegraph

Read also: Circle kept just 7 cents of every USDC revenue dollar as $36 trillion flowed through in H1

Read also: Banks Could Slow Stablecoin Growth by Raising Deposit Rates, BIS Paper Finds