New York, USA — December 17, 2025 – Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: CRCL), the fintech firm behind the USD-pegged stablecoin USDC, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with licensed cross-border payments specialist LianLian Global. The agreement outlines a joint effort to explore how stablecoin-powered payment systems can enhance international payments, especially for merchants and digital platforms.
Under the collaboration, both companies plan to evaluate and develop infrastructure that leverages blockchain-native technologies alongside traditional payment rails. Key goals include optimizing transaction speed and resilience, reducing settlement costs, and enabling near-real-time settlement across borders. The initiative also aims to identify opportunities in emerging markets where modern digital payment solutions could improve access and participation in the global economy.
Circle’s involvement follows its broader efforts to expand USDC’s role within regulated financial systems. The collaboration with LianLian Global could eventually tie into Circle’s broader vision for interoperable financial infrastructure, including integration with its Circle Payments Network and the Arc Layer-1 blockchain.
Commenting on the partnership, Yam Ki Chan, Vice President of Asia Pacific at Circle, highlighted the importance of open and interoperable financial frameworks that support modern commerce across borders, saying the agreement reflects continued commitment to advancing blockchain-based payment solutions.
As global payment ecosystems evolve, stablecoins such as USDC are emerging as significant tools in reducing cost and friction in cross-border transactions, offering an alternative to traditional banking-based settlement systems that can be slower and more expensive.
