The Aptos Foundation has unveiled plans to integrate Circle’s native USDC and the Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) into the Aptos Network. Additionally, Stripe is set to enhance its crypto offerings by incorporating support for Aptos. Aptos is positioning itself as the go-to hub for seamless DeFi interactions, boasting unparalleled speed, cost-effectiveness, and reliability as an enterprise-grade blockchain. This evolution is set to enhance its global ecosystem significantly.
Incorporating Aptos into Stripe’s crypto onramp and payouts ecosystem, alongside native USDC, will deliver dependable fiat on and off-ramps for the Aptos network. This integration will enhance merchant pay-ins and payouts, bridging the fluid between conventional finance and blockchain innovation.
Today, USDC stands as the premier regulated dollar-backed stablecoin, boasting a circulation exceeding $37 billion. Over $160M in bridged USDC is circulating on the Aptos network, making it the dominant stablecoin in this ecosystem. This integration allows for the issuance of native USDC directly on the Aptos network through Circle’s regulated entities. Additionally, CCTP empowers developers to create cross-chain experiences, linking their Aptos applications to a network of supported blockchains.
Bridge solutions like Stargate, leveraging LayerZero technology, are set to facilitate a seamless migration from the currently bridged USDC on Aptos to its native counterpart as time progresses. The AptosBridge built on LayerZero remains unchanged, maintaining its seamless operation as usual.
In anticipation of USDC’s native launch, the bridged version from the AptosBridge will undergo a rebranding to “lzUSDC” on block explorers. Outreach efforts will be initiated to engage ecosystem applications and motivate them to implement similar updates in their user interface and documentation.
The introduction of CCTP is set to revolutionize interoperability within the DeFi landscape on Aptos, facilitating seamless and secure native USDC transfers. The integration of Aptos brings the total number of blockchains supported by CCTP to nine, encompassing Arbitrum, Base, Ethereum, and Solana, along with an impressive 72 routes that maintain 1:1 capital efficiency. This initiative paves the way for effortless cross-chain integration, enabling swaps, purchases, treasury adjustments, and beyond – all while ensuring a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
Integrating Aptos into Stripe’s crypto offerings empowers users to effortlessly convert fiat currencies into USDC, utilizing Aptos-enabled wallets for a streamlined experience. This integration paves the way for USDC adoption across Stripe’s expansive global business network. The synergy between Stripe’s advanced payment solutions and Aptos’ robust network paves the way for global merchants and payment providers to execute transactions with enhanced speed, security, and reduced costs.
Adding support for the Aptos blockchain inside our crypto products broadens consumer and merchant access to more efficient global fund flows with stablecoins, whether it be a retailer accepting payments from around the world or a platform paying creators no matter where they are,” said John Egan, Head of Crypto at Stripe. “This collaboration brings Stripe’s global network together with the power of the Aptos blockchain, opening new avenues for both merchants and consumers to access efficient, stablecoin-based payments.”
“The DeFi ecosystem on Aptos has grown to five times its original size in the past year alone, and it’s clear why,” said Nikhil Chandhok, Chief Product Officer at Circle. “Aptos has emerged as a highly efficient way to move money across the globe. The arrival of native USDC and CCTP will only enhance this, and further the vision we share with the Aptos Foundation team of a future where secure digital dollars create a more accessible economy for everyone.”
“USDC and CCTP are the gold standards in DeFi, and Stripe is among the most trusted names in financial infrastructure,” said Bashar Lazaar, Head of Grants and Ecosystem at Aptos Foundation. “Circle and Stripe’s integration of Aptos moves the needle in creating a more accessible, secure, and decentralized future of finance. We’re all looking forward to this integration, and are eager to see what the incredible builders in the Aptos ecosystem make possible with this powerful new technology in their toolkit.”
“Aptos makes the globally connected economy accessible to everyone by simplifying the movement of economic value,” said Mo Shaikh, CEO of Aptos Labs, which provided technical expertise for the integrations. “I’m looking forward to seeing Aptos becoming a unifying force in the global economy, providing infrastructure that enhances payment efficiency while bringing the peer-to-peer money movement to life for its ecosystem and builders.”