Circle has launched native USDC and its Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol on OKX’s X Layer, giving developers and businesses direct access to the regulated stablecoin across payments, DeFi and automated applications.
Summary
- Native USDC is now available on X Layer, replacing the need to rely solely on bridged tokens.
- Circle’s CCTP enables cross-chain USDC transfers without wrapped assets or conventional liquidity pools.
- The launch expands native USDC support to 36 networks, while CCTP now connects 26 blockchains.
- Qualified businesses can issue and redeem USDC through Circle Mint on X Layer.
Circle launches native USDC on X Layer
Circle announced on Aug. 7 that native USDC and CCTP are now live on X Layer, an Ethereum-compatible layer-2 network developed by crypto exchange OKX.
The integration gives applications on X Layer access to USDC issued directly by Circle. Previously, users primarily depended on USDC bridged from Ethereum, which represents tokens locked on one network and recreated on another.
Native issuance removes that additional bridge structure. It also gives developers a standard version of USDC that can connect with Circle’s broader payment and cross-chain infrastructure.
Payment providers, trading platforms and decentralized applications can use native USDC for transfers, settlements, lending and other financial services. Qualified businesses can also access issuance and redemption through Circle Mint, subject to Circle’s eligibility requirements.
X Layer offers compatibility with Ethereum applications while aiming to provide lower transaction fees and faster settlement. OKX is positioning the network for DeFi, payments, tokenized real-world assets and applications involving artificial intelligence.
CCTP connects X Layer to 26 blockchains
Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol allows users to move USDC between supported networks through a burn-and-mint process. USDC is burned on the originating chain before an equivalent amount is issued on the destination chain.
The structure differs from conventional bridges, which typically lock tokens in a smart contract and issue a wrapped representation on another network. CCTP therefore moves native USDC without requiring wrapped assets or third-party liquidity pools.
Following the X Layer integration, Circle said CCTP is available across 26 blockchains. Native USDC has now expanded to 36 networks.
X Layer will continue supporting USDC bridged from Ethereum during the transition. Circle and the network’s ecosystem participants, however, are encouraging developers and users to shift toward the native asset over time.
The rollout could help consolidate USDC liquidity on X Layer instead of dividing activity between multiple bridged representations. It also lets developers build cross-chain applications that connect X Layer with other CCTP-supported ecosystems.
USDC supports payments and AI agents
Circle said native USDC can support X Layer’s x402 ecosystem, which is designed for automated payments between AI agents, application programming interfaces and digital services.
Under that model, software agents could use USDC to pay for data, computing resources or online services without requiring a person to approve each small transaction. Developers could also add spending limits and other controls at the application level.
The integration follows Circle’s broader expansion into programmable payments and machine-driven finance. As previously reported by crypto.news, Circle’s nearly 1,000-patent acquisition from IBM covers infrastructure supporting USDC, its payments network, Arc blockchain and tools for AI agents.
For U.S. businesses, access through Circle Mint remains subject to onboarding, compliance and geographic eligibility requirements. The X Layer launch does not automatically make every OKX or Circle service available to all U.S. users.
Circle expands its regulated infrastructure
Circle’s network expansion comes as USDC activity continues to grow. Crypto.news reported that USDC circulation reached $73.3 billion during the second quarter, up 19% from a year earlier, although it declined 5% from the previous quarter.
On-chain USDC transaction volume rose 151% year over year to $14.8 trillion, showing that transfer activity grew faster than the stablecoin’s circulating supply.
Circle is also preparing to launch the public mainnet of its Arc blockchain on Sept. 16. BlackRock, DTCC, Mastercard, Visa and other financial institutions will serve as founding validators.
The company recently secured a limited-purpose trust charter from the New York Department of Financial Services and final approval for a national trust bank from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Circle plans to move USDC issuance gradually to its New York trust entity, placing more of its stablecoin operations under direct U.S. regulatory oversight.
