Liquidity in Cryptocurrency Market Approaches a Turning Point! Circle Aims to Enter 40 Emerging Markets

Circle Plans to Enter 40 Emerging Markets

Circle, the company behind the USD-pegged stablecoin USDC, has revealed plans to fully enter approximately 40 emerging and developing markets worldwide, as stated by co-founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire.

Circle paid roughly $819M to USDC distribution partners and transaction costs in the first half of 2026. More than 150 partners participate in USDC's economics, sharing in the growth they help drive. Here's how the model works: https://t.co/O03cLoZUxW

--- Circle (@circle) October 16, 2026

In the first half of 2026, Circle paid about $819 million to USDC distribution partners and transaction costs. Over 150 partners participate in USDC's economic mechanisms, sharing in the growth they help promote...

CEO Allaire pointed out at the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and World Bank meeting held in Bangkok that blockchain technology has moved beyond the phase of early adopters and is transitioning into a stage of significant expansion and adoption. Currently, there is a spontaneous increase in demand from individuals and businesses in emerging countries struggling with inflation and financial access to participate in internet-based economic zones.

Traditional international remittances face many challenges in terms of cost and time, and stablecoins, as a digital dollar with stable value, are rapidly becoming the preferred practical payment infrastructure.

Active Reinvestment and Strong Infrastructure and Regulatory Compliance

Circle is steadily building a solid foundation to meet the growing global demand. The company recorded approximately $1.4 billion in revenue in the first half of 2026, much of which is being actively reinvested into covering transaction costs, infrastructure development, compliance enhancement, and product development.

With this financial strength, Circle has expanded its global remittance network through a $400 million acquisition of the Singapore-based cross-border payment platform Tazapay and by accepting a strategic investment of $100 million (approximately ¥15.8 billion) from Binance.

Furthermore, the clarification of regulations has also been a strong tailwind. The company was one of the first to obtain a federal banking license as a stablecoin issuer and is looking ahead to the implementation of the new U.S. bill, the GENIUS Act. The legally recognized birth of a "digital dollar" is seen as a historic turning point for the company.

A Catalyst to Restore Liquidity in the Cryptocurrency Market

The current cryptocurrency market is facing challenges with a lack of overall liquidity due to a decrease in total value locked (TVL) in DeFi (decentralized finance) and price adjustments of Bitcoin (BTC). For the market to shift back to a sustained bullish trend, a "catalyst" for new capital inflows is necessary.

In the stablecoin market, Tether's USDT still holds a significant share, but USDC has shown rapid growth in adjusted trading volume share, expanding from around 40% last year to over 60%, surpassing USDT. Additionally, USDC's market capitalization has reached $73 billion (approximately ¥11.5 trillion), and on-chain trading volume has exceeded $36 trillion (approximately ¥5,685 trillion).

Historical data indicates that Circle's business growth and the increasing demand for USDC have been strongly correlated with the overall market capitalization of the cryptocurrency market. The entry into these 40 emerging markets is expected to be a crucial driver in supplying new liquidity to the cooling market.

Transformation of Existing Finance and New Frontiers in AI Agent Payments

Circle's influence extends beyond the Web3 domain. The company's on-chain infrastructure, Arc, has been adopted by global financial giants such as BlackRock, Visa, and Standard Chartered Bank, bringing innovation to a financial structure traditionally dominated by conventional banks.

Moreover, the synergy with the AI (artificial intelligence) sector is noteworthy. There has been a surge in M2M (machine-to-machine) transactions where autonomously operating AI agents conduct micro-payments of less than one cent in exchange for data acquisition and research on the web, with USDC being increasingly utilized as an immediate payment method.

On the other hand, CEO Allaire has expressed concerns about new security risks to financial infrastructure posed by sophisticated cyberattacks from automated AI agent groups. While pursuing both security and convenience, Circle aims to solidify its position as the next-generation global payment infrastructure, from emerging countries to cutting-edge AI economic zones.

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online promotions, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. The availability of WEEX services, products, and related events may vary by region. You are responsible for ensuring that your participation is in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.