Bybit and Circle are expanding their collaboration to broaden USDC usage across Bybit’s trading, payment, and settlement ecosystems, aiming to improve liquidity, fiat connectivity, and cross-chain support.

planned initiatives include on-ramp and off-ramp solutions and deeper USDC integration across Bybit products such as Bybit Earn, Bybit Card, and Bybit Pay, reinforcing a consistent experience.

Bybit intends to deepen USDC access across spot markets, derivatives, and payment channels to ensure predictable liquidity and a seamless experience across products.

Circle’s Arc network testnet, a new layer-1 for stablecoin native finance, is part of the broader regulatory and innovation framework, with public testnet anticipated in October 2025.

Circle emphasizes regulatory-aligned compliance, including MiCA framework alignment in the EEA, to strengthen USDC presence in regulated markets.

Context on stablecoins’ utility is provided, with Circle’s CEO highlighting stablecoin infrastructure’s potential in the payments landscape.

The partnership stresses transparency and safety, backed by Bybit’s regulatory-compliant stance and Circle’s trusted stablecoin framework.

Regulatory developments shape the partnership, including Bybit’s UAE Virtual Asset Platform Operator license and ongoing regulatory coverage in the EEA, Turkey, and Latin America.

Regulatory compliance is a cornerstone, highlighted by Bybit’s UAE license and upgrades in the EEA and other jurisdictions.

The broader stablecoin landscape remains competitive, with Tether’s supply at about $185.6 billion in 2025, underscoring exchanges’ liquidity optimization efforts.

USDC is fully backed 1:1 by cash and short-term U.S. Treasuries, with cash held at regulated institutions and monthly attestations to ensure transparency.

USDC is redeemable at par with the dollar, supported by liquid reserves and independent monthly attestations for transparency.

The partnership aligns with a trend toward regulated stablecoins gaining momentum globally as users seek transparent liquidity pathways and faster settlement.

Stablecoins are expanding use-cases in remittances, merchant payments, business transactions, and online marketplaces, signaling demand for dependable digital-asset payment infrastructure.

USDC’s market cap grew significantly in 2025, approaching $80 billion as of early December, indicating rapid expansion and rising demand for regulated stablecoins.

The market cap milestone reflects a 77% increase since January 2025, highlighting accelerated uptake of USDC.

The collaboration aims to strengthen liquidity, improve fiat on- and off-ramps, and expand cross-chain support within a transparent, regulatorily compliant framework, with emphasis on the EEA and MiCA presence.

Circle’s strategy centers on global money movement and the evolving role of stablecoins in cross-border finance.

Both companies will continue building core USDC infrastructure in international markets, with Bybit signaling opportunities in the EEA where Circle holds MiCA licensing.

Circle positions the initiative as part of a broader technical strategy to ensure fast, transparent USDC operations, starting with implementing USDC in Bybit’s trading and payment channels.

Bybit emphasizes the partnership is non-exclusive and stresses transparency and regulatory clarity as the industry matures.

Bybit’s leadership highlights a compliant, liquid, user-friendly ecosystem and the integration of USDC into payments and savings.

Bybit’s prior crypto-payment experiences, including a Mastercard partnership to embed blockchain layers in payments, frame this deal as an initial step toward longer-term liquidity, controlled access, and interoperability expansion.