USDC is actively working to reclaim its market share through strategic partnerships and international expansion. In addition to strengthening its collaboration with Coinbase, which recently took an equity stake in Circle, USDC has partnered with Airtm to launch enterprise-focused cross-border payment services across Latin America, South Asia, and Africa.
Airtm: A Peer-to-Peer Digital Currency Platform
Airtm operates as a peer-to-peer digital currency service platform with a mission to bridge emerging economies with global markets. By eliminating borders and reducing transaction fees, Airtm supports financial inclusion and accessibility. The platform is operational in over 190 countries and serves hundreds of thousands of active users each month.
Today, Airtm supports hundreds of business clients, processing millions of payments every month. Notably, most of these clients are not native to the cryptocurrency or blockchain space. They span a diverse range of industries, including nonprofit organizations, artificial intelligence firms, and gaming platforms.
Airtm is backed by Circle Ventures and holds a Money Services Business (MSB) license issued by the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), ensuring regulatory compliance in its operations.
Full Integration of USDC into Airtm’s Ecosystem
Airtm’s newly launched enterprise payment service allows businesses to send and receive payments across more than 100 countries without requiring foreign exchange accounts or direct connections to local banking systems. Transactions are processed using USDC over the Stellar decentralized network.
Once a payment is sent to the recipient’s Airtm wallet, users can seamlessly convert USDC into local currency through integration with over 400 local payment providers. This end-to-end infrastructure minimizes friction and maximizes accessibility for users in diverse economic environments.
Businesses already using Circle’s infrastructure can now fund their expenditures and deposits on Airtm without any technical barriers. According to Airtm, the average transaction time is around six minutes, with end-to-end fees remaining below 5%.
USDC’s Market Position and Growth Strategy
Circle, the issuer of USDC, is widely regarded as one of the most compliant stablecoin operators in the United States. Despite this reputation, its market share has seen a decline—from a peak of $55.8 billion in June 2022 to approximately $25.8 billion today. In comparison, its main competitor, USDT, currently boasts a market capitalization of around $82.8 billion.
This partnership with Airtm marks a strategic effort to regain market presence by tapping into high-growth regions where demand for fast, affordable, and compliant cross-border payments is rising.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is USDC?
USDC is a U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoin issued by Circle. Each USDC token is backed by real dollar reserves and regularly audited to ensure transparency and compliance.
How does Airtm’s payment service work?
Airtm uses the Stellar blockchain to facilitate USDC transfers between enterprises. Recipients can convert USDC into local currency via Airtm’s network of over 400 payment partners, making it accessible even in regions with limited banking infrastructure.
Is Airtm a regulated platform?
Yes, Airtm holds an MSB license from FinCEN in the U.S. and complies with international anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) standards.
What are the advantages of using USDC for cross-border payments?
USDC offers near-instant settlement, lower fees compared to traditional banking systems, and full transparency backed by reserved assets. It is particularly useful in countries with volatile currencies or limited access to global finance.
Who can use Airtm’s enterprise services?
The service is designed for businesses of all sizes—including nonprofits, tech companies, and online platforms—that need to send or receive international payments efficiently.
Can USDC be converted to cash easily?
Yes, through Airtm’s extensive partner network, USDC can be converted into local fiat currencies quickly and with minimal fees.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk due to high price volatility. Investors may lose their entire capital. Always conduct thorough research and consider your risk tolerance before investing.