Circle Internet Group, the company behind the widely-used USDC stablecoin, has unveiled the Circle Payments Network (CPN), a new global infrastructure set to transform how money moves across borders. The network, which is rolling out in May, connects banks, fintechs, payment providers, and digital wallets, enabling them to settle international payments in real time using regulated stablecoins like USDC and EURC.
Cross-border payments have long been plagued by high costs and slow settlement times. According to the World Bank, sending money internationally can still take more than a business day and cost over 6% of the transaction value, disproportionately affecting emerging markets and limiting global competitiveness. These inefficiencies are driven by multiple intermediaries, compliance checks, and fragmented banking hours across countries.
Circle’s new network aims to solve these challenges by leveraging blockchain-based stablecoins, which allow for instant, transparent, and programmable transactions. CPN is designed to integrate seamlessly with domestic real-time payment systems, reducing reliance on slow, costly correspondent banking chains.
CPN brings together a wide array of financial institutions, including traditional banks, neobanks, payment service providers, and digital asset companies, under a unified, secure framework. The network uses smart contracts and modular APIs, enabling third-party developers to build new financial applications and automated workflows directly on the platform.
Key use cases for the network include:
Supplier payments
Remittances
Payroll
Capital markets settlement
Treasury operations
On-chain financial applications
Major global banks such as Santander, Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, and Standard Chartered are already advising on the network’s design and development.
Circle has emphasized that CPN is governed by strict eligibility standards. All participating institutions must be properly licensed and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) regulations, as well as maintain robust cybersecurity protocols. Circle also acts as the network’s primary governing body, setting and enforcing operational rules, conducting ongoing audits, and overseeing compliance.
Given the scale and sensitivity of the data involved, security and privacy are paramount. The network incorporates strong data protection measures, secure transaction data sharing (including compliance with the Travel Rule), and ongoing risk-based reviews of all members. Financial institutions are required to monitor transactions, detect suspicious activities, and share necessary information to ensure transparency and regulatory compliance.
Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s Co-founder and CEO, described the launch as a major milestone:
“CPN is a significant step in making our vision a reality, making moving money as simple and efficient as sending an email”.
Circle Payments Network aims to set a new standard for global payments, offering speed, lower costs, and compliance for financial institutions and their customers worldwide.
