Circle Launches Nanopayments on Testnet for AI Agent Transactions

Circle's USDC stablecoin and Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) are now operational on Injective, a blockchain optimized for trading and DeFi applications. **Key Features:** - DeFi traders can use USDC for spot and perpetuals trading - CCTP enables fast transfers between blockchains with 24/7 settlement - USDC functions as collateral on Injective's financial infrastructure **Network Growth:** With this integration, USDC now operates on 34 blockchains and transfers across 23 chains via CCTP, creating over 500 transaction routes. This follows a similar expansion to Pharos Network in late April, which added support for real-world asset (RWA) applications and included a $10 million incubation program. More details: [circle.com/blog](http://www.circle.com/blog/now-available-native-usdc-cctp-on-injective)

**USYC has crossed the $3 billion mark in assets under management**, representing a 50% increase from the $2 billion milestone reached in March 2026. This growth reflects: - Accelerating adoption of tokenized money market funds - Increasing use of onchain collateral in digital asset markets - Sustained institutional interest in blockchain-based financial products The fund's trajectory from $2 billion to $3 billion in under two months demonstrates the maturation of tokenized treasury products as a core infrastructure component in the digital asset ecosystem.

Circle has announced a partnership with Lighter, establishing USDC as the default and preferred stablecoin across Lighter's platform. **Key Integration Points:** - Spot and perpetual trading - Settlement operations - Liquidations - Onboarding flows The partnership positions USDC as core infrastructure as onchain markets continue to expand. This follows Circle's recent collaboration with OSL Group to broaden USDC access in institutional trading and payments globally, including support for 1:1 USD/USDC conversions and capital-efficient settlement. The move reflects growing demand for reliable dollar-backed infrastructure in decentralized trading environments.

Mt Pelerin has integrated Circle Mint to improve its self-custodial fiat on/offramp infrastructure for USDC and EURC. **Key improvements:** - Faster, more predictable institutional-grade liquidity for cash-ins and cashouts - More reliable OTC execution - Streamlined mint and redeem workflows The integration addresses a critical challenge in self-custodial on/offramps: ensuring liquidity is available when customers need it. By leveraging Circle Mint's infrastructure, Mt Pelerin can offer more consistent service for users converting between fiat and stablecoins. This builds on Circle Mint's expansion in 2025, which introduced near-instant euro-to-USDC conversion with competitive FX rates for European Economic Area fintechs and payment providers. [Read the full case study](https://www.circle.com/case-studies/mt-pelerin)

Circle has submitted a comment letter supporting the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's (OCC) proposed licensing regime for U.S. dollar payment stablecoins under the GENIUS Act. The company endorses the OCC's approach, calling it a **"robust and highest-bar standards"** framework that aims to create uniform, prudentially sound regulations for digital dollar payments. This follows Circle's previous November 2025 response to the U.S. Treasury's request for public comment on implementing the GENIUS Act, where they outlined recommendations for a consistent regulatory framework. The GENIUS Act represents a significant regulatory milestone for stablecoins in the United States, establishing formal oversight for digital dollar payment systems. [Read Circle's full comment letter](http://www.circle.com/blog/circle-submits-comment-letter-on-proposed-genius-licensing-regime)