Fireblocks has integrated Circle's Gateway and Circle Payments Network into its institutional digital asset platform, enabling trading firms, payment providers and banks to access unified USDC treasury management and cross-border payment infrastructure under a single operational framework. The integration addresses growing institutional demand for regulated stablecoin infrastructure as stablecoins accounted for 69% of all digital asset transaction volume processed on the Fireblocks platform during the second quarter of 2026, with USDC overtaking USDT as the most-used stablecoin among Fireblocks customers. Industry data cited by Fireblocks shows global stablecoin settlement volume reached $33 trillion in 2025, up 72% year over year, reflecting the sector's shift toward solving operational challenges institutions face when using stablecoins across multiple blockchains and payment corridors.
USDC Becomes Most-Used Stablecoin on Fireblocks Platform
Fireblocks reported that USDC recently became the most-used stablecoin across its platform, surpassing USDT despite the latter maintaining the larger overall market capitalisation. The company attributed the shift to growing institutional demand for regulated digital dollar infrastructure as banks, payment companies and trading firms expand their use of blockchain-based settlement. According to Fireblocks, institutions are increasingly seeking platforms capable of supporting treasury operations, compliance workflows and cross-border settlements at scale rather than focusing solely on custody or blockchain connectivity.
Circle Gateway Eliminates Multi-Chain Treasury Complexity
Circle Gateway allows institutions to maintain a single virtual USDC balance while deploying funds across multiple supported blockchains without separately managing balances on each network. Under traditional multi-chain treasury operations, firms typically pre-fund wallets on each blockchain, maintain native gas tokens for transaction fees and reconcile balances separately across networks. Gateway replaces that model with a unified balance capable of automatically routing USDC where required. According to Fireblocks, incoming USDC deposits are automatically credited to the Gateway balance, while cross-chain transfers execute without requiring destination-chain gas tokens.
Luke Wingfield Digby, Co-Founder and Head of Corporate Development, stated: "Processing USDC for our clients across multiple chains was one of our biggest operational challenges — balances in the wrong place at the wrong time, constant friction. With Gateway, we now have a single unified balance. We can offer true multi-chain USDC, in real time, without the overhead."
Circle Payments Network Enables Cross-Border Settlement to 50+ Countries
The integration brings Circle Payments Network directly into the Fireblocks platform. CPN enables near real-time cross-border settlement using USDC while delivering local fiat currency to recipients across more than 50 countries. Rather than relying on correspondent banking relationships and pre-funded NOSTRO accounts, payment providers can send USDC through Fireblocks while beneficiaries receive local currency through participating financial institutions. Fireblocks stated that customers access CPN using the same integration already employed for local payment rails and fiat on- and off-ramps, with the platform managing beneficiary administration, provider connectivity and transaction workflows within the same operational environment. According to the company, the model reduces settlement times from days to minutes while freeing capital previously tied up in correspondent banking accounts.
Spencer Spinnell, Senior Vice President of Global Payments and Enterprise Partnerships at Circle, stated: "Fireblocks customers can now reach 50+ countries for USDC-settled local fiat payouts — without leaving the environment where they already manage policy, compliance, and approvals. That's CPN as a coordination layer: drop NOSTRO prefunding and correspondent delays without rebuilding your infrastructure."
Integration Applies Unified Compliance Controls
Fireblocks stated that every stablecoin transfer potentially requires sanctions screening, Travel Rule compliance, counterparty verification, approval workflows and audit trails before execution. The integration applies the same policy engine governing other digital assets across Gateway transfers and CPN settlements. Those controls include transaction approval policies, counterparty whitelists, automated multi-party approvals, sanctions screening and Travel Rule data attachment where required. Rather than building separate compliance infrastructure for each blockchain or payment corridor, institutions can extend existing operational policies as they add new stablecoins, counterparties or settlement routes.
The integration is available immediately for existing Fireblocks customers using Gateway, while access to Circle Payments Network is available to approved CPN participants, with additional applicants able to apply through Circle's onboarding process.
FAQ
What did Fireblocks integrate with Circle?
Fireblocks integrated Circle's Gateway and Circle Payments Network into its institutional digital asset platform, enabling unified USDC treasury management and cross-border payment infrastructure under a single operational and compliance framework.
How does Circle Gateway function for institutions?
Circle Gateway allows institutions to maintain a single virtual USDC balance while deploying funds across multiple supported blockchains without separately managing balances on each network. Incoming USDC deposits are automatically credited to the Gateway balance, and cross-chain transfers execute without requiring destination-chain gas tokens.
