Circle unveils global payment network to revolutionize cross-border transactions
Circle unveiled a real-time settlement platform called Circle Payments Network (CPN) on April 21, designed to overhaul cross-border payments using regulated stablecoins like USDC and EURC.
CPN is expected to launch in a limited capacity at the beginning of May 2025.
The new service will connect banks, neobanks, payment providers, and digital wallets into a unified system that enables 24/7, low-cost, and transparent money movement across borders.
The launch marks a significant expansion for Circle, best known as the issuer of USDC, into infrastructure that directly supports the global financial system.
CPN aims to eliminate long settlement delays, which the World Bank estimates can exceed one business day and cost over 6% in fees. This inefficiency particularly affects emerging markets and small businesses reliant on international payments.
Real-time settlement
Built with institutional adoption in mind, CPN requires participants to meet strict eligibility criteria, including licensing, anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) compliance, cybersecurity safeguards, and sound financial risk controls.
The system is engineered to integrate with domestic real-time payment networks, bridging local currencies with digital dollars and euros to create seamless cross-border flows.
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said:
“Since our founding, Circle’s vision has been to make moving money as simple and efficient as sending an email. CPN brings that vision closer to reality by enabling real-time, compliant value transfer between trusted institutions worldwide.”
The network is programmable by design, featuring smart contract infrastructure and modular APIs that allow developers to embed financial workflows into applications.
CPN supports a wide range of business use cases, including international payroll, supplier payments, remittances, capital market settlements, and treasury operations.
Global collaboration
To guide CPN’s development, Circle is working with major global banks such as Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank, Banco Santander, and Société Générale.
These major financial institutions are contributing insights to ensure the network aligns with operational, compliance, and security standards expected by top-tier financial firms.
More than 30 fintech and digital payment companies are involved as design partners to help test and expand the system’s global reach.
Additionally, infrastructure providers like Fireblocks are connecting their institutional client networks to CPN to enhance access and liquidity.
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