Digital identity firm World has broadened its collaboration with stablecoin issuer Circle through the integration of native USDC and Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol Version 2 (CCTP V2) on World Chain. This development, announced on June 11, replaces previously bridged USDC with native USDC issued directly by Circle, marking a pivotal upgrade for the platform’s extensive global user base.
Before this integration, nearly two million individuals using World App held bridged USDC tokens. These were versions of USDC that operated through intermediary layers rather than being directly issued. With the latest update, these bridged tokens have been automatically replaced with native USDC backed entirely by highly liquid cash and cash-equivalent assets. World described this shift as a major enhancement in digital currency quality, emphasizing the regulated and globally trusted status of the upgraded token.
The partnership also brings CCTP V2 capabilities to World Chain, significantly improving the efficiency and affordability of transferring USDC across various blockchain networks. Developers, businesses, and users are now expected to benefit from enhanced DeFi (decentralized finance) composability, enabling seamless movement of digital dollars and integration into decentralized applications.
The impact of this integration extends beyond simple transfers. More than 27 million users across over 160 countries can now send and receive a fully regulated digital dollar through World Chain. Developers, in particular, stand to gain by embedding USDC into World App Mini Apps, tapping into a widely distributed blockchain system. This unlocks new opportunities for real-time payments, embedded finance, and global financial services within a trusted ecosystem.
The timing of the announcement coincides with a notable milestone for Circle itself. The company recently debuted on the New York Stock Exchange, where its stock witnessed a strong performance, opening above expectations and closing significantly higher than its IPO pricing. Circle’s CEO described the public listing as a critical step in the broader evolution toward an internet-based financial system, suggesting that the market is increasingly ready for digitized, borderless financial infrastructure.
Circle’s proactive role in shaping this transformation is not limited to public market activities. Its venture investment arm has been actively supporting emerging fintech infrastructure. One such example includes its participation in a $36 million Series A funding round for Conduit, a platform specializing in cross-border stablecoin payments.
This latest collaboration with World highlights Circle’s strategic intent to strengthen stablecoin utility in everyday financial interactions. With World’s wide reach and Circle’s regulated digital dollar, the move aims to accelerate the mainstream adoption of blockchain-based financial services, particularly in regions where traditional banking remains inaccessible or inefficient.
By combining identity verification, blockchain accessibility, and regulated stablecoin infrastructure, the World-Circle partnership may represent a new benchmark in how digital finance platforms can scale globally while maintaining compliance and transparency. As both firms continue to expand their reach, users are likely to see more robust, secure, and user-friendly financial services emerge within the decentralized ecosystem.