World Chain and Circle have joined forces to integrate native USD Coin (USDC) and Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol V2 (CCTP V2) on the World Chain platform. This partnership marks a significant milestone for the biometric identity blockchain and one of the largest regulated stablecoin issuers in the world.
The upgrade on World Chain replaces bridged USDC with native issuance, while keeping the same smart contract address to ensure continuity for existing users and developers. This move aims to enhance liquidity, mitigate risks associated with synthetic bridging, and provide access to Circle’s comprehensive on- and off-ramp infrastructure.
With the launch of Circle’s CCTP V2, users can now transfer USDC across supported blockchains in a matter of seconds. The protocol also introduces support for Hooks, automated functions that can trigger actions upon fund arrival, thereby expanding programmability for developers.
World Chain, created by Tools for Humanity and supported by Sam Altman, has placed a strong emphasis on digital identity through its World ID system, which has already verified over 27 million individuals worldwide. By combining identity authentication with native USDC, the network aims to support applications that require verified users, such as secure payments, peer-to-peer transfers, and access-controlled financial tools.
Apps like Daimo Pay and Morpho have already started leveraging these identity features in conjunction with USDC for verified payments and transfers.
USDC, launched by Circle in 2018, has processed over $25 trillion in on-chain transactions and currently boasts a circulating supply of nearly $60 billion. As the second-largest stablecoin globally, USDC is fully backed by dollar reserves.
The integration of USDC on World Chain comes on the heels of Circle’s recent public market debut on the New York Stock Exchange, where the company’s shares experienced a significant surge, propelling its market valuation above $20 billion. This listing signifies a pivotal moment for stablecoins in mainstream finance, especially as regulators work towards establishing formal frameworks for digital dollar assets.
Circle’s strategic focus on replacing synthetic and bridged stablecoin models with native issuance across multiple chains is evident in its collaboration with World Chain. This partnership brings regulated dollar infrastructure to an identity-based blockchain, as both projects strive to expand financial services with enhanced trust, speed, and compliance.