Centre Consortium Announces Stellar as an Official Chain for USDC

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The integration of blockchain technology into mainstream financial systems continues to accelerate, with major players aligning to expand access, interoperability, and efficiency. In a significant development for the digital asset space, the Centre Consortium—co-founded by Circle and Coinbase—has officially announced that Stellar is now a supported blockchain for USD Coin (USDC). This strategic move positions Stellar as the third blockchain with native support for USDC, following Ethereum and Algorand.

USDC is expected to go live on the Stellar network in Q1 2021, marking a pivotal step toward broader adoption of regulated digital dollars in cross-border transactions and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. The partnership underscores a shared vision: to enhance global financial inclusion through fast, low-cost, and compliant digital asset transfers.

Why Stellar? Speed, Scale, and Sustainability

Stellar stands out as a decentralized, high-performance blockchain engineered for real-world financial use cases. With over 4.6 million accounts and more than 1 billion operations processed since launch, the network has proven its reliability and scalability. Its average ledger close time of just five seconds enables near-instant settlement—ideal for payments, remittances, and multi-currency exchanges.

Financial institutions around the world already leverage Stellar’s infrastructure to offer borderless financial services. By integrating USDC, the network gains access to a rapidly growing, fully reserved, and regulation-compliant stablecoin with over $2.8 billion in circulation—a figure that has surged more than 500% in the past six months alone.

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This synergy between Stellar’s infrastructure and USDC’s liquidity creates powerful opportunities for developers, businesses, and end-users seeking efficient alternatives to traditional banking rails.

Expanding Global Financial Access

Denelle Dixon, CEO and Executive Director of the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF), emphasized the mission-driven nature of this collaboration:

“We look forward to bringing such a reputable and engaged USD asset to the Stellar network. At the Stellar Development Foundation, we are focused on creating equitable access to the financial system by building a global network that delivers services to users regardless of their geography. The addition of USDC to Stellar will allow us to continue to expand our global reach in pursuit of this mission while opening up new avenues for growth and innovation for the developers and businesses building on the network.”

This alignment with financial inclusion goals makes the integration not just technically sound but socially impactful—particularly for underbanked populations who rely on fast, affordable cross-border transactions.

A Strategic Move for USDC Adoption

For Circle and Coinbase, both key stewards of USDC through the Centre Consortium, expanding onto Stellar represents a strategic diversification of the stablecoin’s ecosystem.

Alesia Haas, Chief Financial Officer at Coinbase, stated:

“Today’s launch represents another step towards increased flexibility for USDC to develop its utility in global consumer payment applications. We look forward to supporting USDC on Stellar for both our retail and institutional customers in the future.”

Jeremy Allaire, Chairman and CEO of Circle, added:

“Stellar is a leader in cross-border payments, and with the rapid global expansion USDC has been experiencing, we are excited to launch USDC on Stellar. We value the increased interoperability and wide range of developers that the Stellar network brings to the table, and look forward to seeing how adding a strong and stable USD anchor to Stellar grows its ecosystem and its importance as a platform driving global financial inclusion.”

With nearly 10 million retail users and over a thousand businesses already using Circle’s platform, the introduction of USDC on Stellar opens new channels for programmable commerce and DeFi innovation.

Key Benefits of USDC on Stellar

These advantages position USDC on Stellar as a compelling option for fintech startups, remittance providers, DeFi protocols, and central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilots exploring interoperable solutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is USDC?
A: USD Coin (USDC) is a regulated, fully reserved digital dollar stablecoin backed 1:1 by U.S. dollars. It operates across multiple blockchains and is governed by the Centre Consortium to ensure compliance and transparency.

Q: Why is Stellar integrating USDC?
A: Integrating USDC enhances Stellar’s utility by providing a stable, liquid, and globally recognized digital dollar. This supports cross-border payments, DeFi applications, and financial inclusion initiatives.

Q: When will USDC be available on Stellar?
A: USDC is expected to launch on the Stellar network in Q1 2021.

Q: How does this benefit developers?
A: Developers gain access to a high-speed, low-cost blockchain with built-in support for a compliant stablecoin—enabling faster innovation in payments, lending, trading, and more.

Q: Is USDC on Stellar different from USDC on Ethereum?
A: No. USDC maintains the same value, reserves, and standards across all chains. Only the underlying blockchain differs.

Q: Who governs USDC?
A: The Centre Consortium, co-founded by Circle and Coinbase, sets technical standards and compliance policies for USDC issuance and operation.

The Future of Digital Dollar Innovation

As digital currencies evolve beyond speculative assets into functional tools for everyday finance, integrations like USDC on Stellar signal a shift toward practical utility. With deep liquidity, regulatory clarity, and robust infrastructure, this collaboration strengthens the foundation for next-generation financial services.

The Stellar Development Foundation continues to support open-source development, community engagement, and institutional partnerships—all aimed at democratizing access to economic opportunity through blockchain technology.

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Core Keywords

By combining technical excellence with mission-driven goals, the integration of USDC on Stellar exemplifies how public blockchains can serve as engines of innovation and equity in the global financial system.