USDC role in payment landscape grows

Stablecoins are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about tools in payments. By combining the reliability of traditional money and the speed and efficiency of blockchain, stablecoins can offer some of the best attributes of both.

A growing number of companies are using stablecoins to handle cross-border payments, speed up settlement times and cut down on costs. According to Deutsche Bank, the stablecoin market reached a total market capitalization of more than $245 billion as of early 2025. For industries like e-commerce, gaming and financial services, stablecoins can be a practical solution for modernizing payment operations.

USDC is a great example – a digital dollar issued by Circle, fully backed by U.S. dollars and always redeemable one to one with dollars. It’s stable, fast and opening new ways for businesses to move money around the world.

First to the table

In April 2022, Worldpay became the first global acquirer to offer merchants the ability to receive settlements directly in USDC. We teamed up with Circle to give our customers this option – even if their customers pay in traditional fiat currencies.

“Circle’s partnership with Worldpay highlights how stablecoins like USDC solve real-world problems for businesses,” said Spencer Spinnell, Circle’s vice president of partnerships and business development for the Americas. “By enabling seamless, on-chain settlement for merchants globally, we’re helping companies innovate in their payment operations—unlocking faster, more cost-effective, and transparent transactions.”

Today, we are seeing growing adoption among businesses. This means merchants can keep doing business in the currencies their customers are accustomed to while getting the flexibility to settle in digital dollars. It’s a great fit for businesses wanting to modernize their treasury operations or simply hold a portion of funds in a digital format that’s easy to manage and move.

Adding stablecoin options also helps bridge the gap between traditional and digital finance. Businesses can tap into the benefits of USDC – like speed, transparency and global reach – without changing how their customers pay.

“Worldpay’s partnership with Circle to provide USDC settlement to merchants enhances transaction efficiency while expanding access to secure, on-chain transactions,” says Nabil Manji, head of fintech growth and financial partnerships at Worldpay. “USDC settlement allows our merchants to position themselves at the forefront of digital finance, where they can tap into the benefits of fast, efficient settlement.”

Benefits of USDC

USDC settlement products can give merchants the benefits of efficient and transparent settlement processes enabled by blockchain technology. Among the key advantages:

• Lower fees: Avoid the usual wire costs and currency conversion fees.
• Built-in transparency: Every transaction is traceable on the blockchain.
• Operational efficiency: Receive USDC directly from Worldpay and bypass cumbersome processes in obtaining stablecoins from a third party.
• Fixed price: Avoid slippage and volatility by settling in USDC instead of sourcing on the open market.
• Wider ecosystem utility: USDC is one of the most widely accepted and usable stablecoins, supported by a broad and growing network of wallet providers, platforms and services across the crypto and fintech ecosystem.
• Proven compliance and regulatory strength: Issued by Circle, USDC is considered one of the most compliant stablecoins on the market. Circle is licensed in key U.S. jurisdictions and globally – including MiCA compliance in Europe – giving businesses confidence in its legal and operational framework.
• Transparent reserves: Circle undergoes monthly third-party attestations to confirm USDC is fully backed one to one by U.S. dollar-denominated reserves, ensuring transparency and trust.
• Trusted partnerships and scale: With a track record of working with major global financial players, Circle’s strong governance, regulatory alignment and institutional-grade infrastructure make USDC an ideal choice for businesses that value stability, compliance, and scale.

As stablecoins gain traction, USDC stands out as a secure, compliant, and widely accepted option – providing a solid foundation for businesses seeking to participate in the future of digital finance. Stablecoins can become an essential tool for businesses aiming to move money efficiently, manage settlements effectively and adapt successfully to a digital-first economy.

To learn more about how USDC settlement through Worldpay can help modernize your payment operations, contact our team or explore more at worldpay.com.