Circle and Bybit Advance Global Stablecoin Adoption With USDC
- Bybit and Circle partner to scale USDC access across global markets and trading services.
- New HyperCore and HyperEVM linking improves cross-chain USDC flows with native minting.
- Regulatory progress positions USDC for wider institutional adoption across key regions.
Bybit has announced a strategic partnership with Circle Internet Group to broaden access to the USDC stablecoin across the exchange’s platform. The companies said the collaboration will focus on deeper liquidity, smoother settlement, and wider product use for USDC. They confirmed the agreement in a joint statement dated December 8, 2025.
USDC will serve as a key settlement asset within Bybit’s platform. In addition, the exchange plans to broaden USDC usage across both spot and derivatives markets. Bybit expects this move to strengthen order book depth and support smoother trading for retail and institutional clients.
Expanded Fiat Rails and Product-Level Integration
Circle and Bybit also intend to improve fiat on- and off-ramp services. Circle will bring its regulated infrastructure and banking relationships, while Bybit will apply its regional reach to widen access. The companies expect these upgrades to speed up deposits and withdrawals across selected markets.
Bybit intends to embed USDC more consistently across its consumer and merchant tools. The exchange will roll out additional USDC functions for Bybit Earn, Bybit Card, and Bybit Pay. This approach links trading activity with savings and payment features that rely on a dollar-referenced asset.
Regulatory Footing and Arc Network Participation
The companies have placed compliance at the center of the partnership. Bybit recently secured a full Virtual Asset Platform Operator License from the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority. The approval strengthens Bybit’s expansion plans in the Middle East and gives the exchange a clear legal framework for regulated digital-asset activity.
Bybit has also widened its regulatory footprint across the European Economic Area, Turkey, and other regions. The partnership with Circle, which issues USDC through regulated entities, supports Bybit’s effort to keep its stablecoin standards consistent as global rules continue to develop.
In addition, Bybit has joined the public testnet for Circle’s Arc network, a layer-1 blockchain built for stablecoin-focused financial use cases. Circle launched the Arc testnet in October 2025, with participation from more than one hundred companies. Bybit’s involvement could support future work on on-chain settlement, treasury tools, and broader USDC functionality across platforms.
Related: Visa Evaluates USDC Payroll to Transform Global Payments
Cross-Chain USDC Developments Add Context
Circle’s wider infrastructure plans add context to the ecosystem. The company has connected USDC between HyperCore and HyperEVM, allowing secure cross-chain deposits into HyperCore with native minting. Over time, this approach should reduce dependence on older bridge-based routes and support a more streamlined transfer model.
During the transition period, users can still deposit and withdraw through the Arbitrum bridge and HyperEVM. HyperCore now offers one-click deposits from CCTP-enabled chains, which simplifies the user flow by handling minting on HyperEVM behind the scenes.
The design also introduces temporary operational limits. Transfers from HyperCore to HyperEVM may fail when HyperEVM balances run low. In those cases, assets remain in HyperCore, and users can continue to use the Arbitrum bridge route if they need USDC on HyperEVM.
USDC Market Growth and Future Plans
Circle said USDC circulation has increased in 2025, reaching nearly $78 billion by early December. The growth places USDC among the largest regulated stablecoins in the market and reflects continued global adoption across trading, payments, and institutional settlement.
Bybit and Circle said they plan to pursue broader technical and commercial collaboration beyond liquidity-related initiatives. The next phase could include wider cross-chain functionality and settlement tools designed for institutional use. The companies said these efforts aim to improve access to USDC across trading platforms and practical, day-to-day financial services.
