AI Agents Now Automate USDC Payments via Circle-Crossmint Partnership

Circle, the issuer of the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin, has partnered with crypto infrastructure platform Crossmint to expand USDC's accessibility across multiple blockchain networks for both human users and AI agents. The collaboration, announced by Crossmint on September 12, leverages Crossmint’s wallet infrastructure and APIs to facilitate onramps, orchestration, and automated payments with USDC. This initiative aims to establish a global financial system where transactions occur instantaneously and systems are designed for interoperability between humans and machines Circle and Crossmint Expand Stablecoin Rails for Humans and AI^[1]. Circle’s venture capital arm, Circle Ventures, has also made a strategic investment in Crossmint, underscoring the partnership’s focus on scaling stablecoin-powered payments for a broad range of applications, including remittances, fintech, and agentic commerce Announcing a strategic investment from Circle Ventures^[2].

A key component of the partnership is enabling AI agents to autonomously execute on-chain payments using USDC. Circle integrated the x402 protocol, an open standard reactivating the HTTP 402 “Payment Required” status code, allowing AI agents to pay for API services without human intervention. For example, an AI agent seeking a wallet risk report can programmatically pay a fee in USDC to access data, streamlining microtransactions and enabling new pay-per-use business models for developers. This system uses Circle’s Developer-Controlled Wallets, secured by multi-party computation (MPC) technology, to manage funds and authorize payments without exposing private keys Circle Enables AI Agents to Pay for Online Services Using USDC^[3].

The partnership aligns with growing demand for stablecoin adoption in inflation-affected regions. In Colombia, MoneyGram launched a crypto payments app using Crossmint’s infrastructure, allowing users to store USDC as an alternative to the depreciating Colombian peso. Similarly, in Argentina, individuals increasingly rely on “crypto caves” to purchase USDC to hedge against currency controls and hyperinflation. These use cases highlight stablecoins’ role in financial inclusion and resilience in unstable economies Circle and Crossmint Expand Stablecoin Rails for Humans and AI^[1].

While USDC faces competition from Tether’s USDT, which dominates in trading volume and market capitalization, the partnership underscores USDC’s strategic integration into blockchain ecosystems. USDT’s $173 billion market cap dwarfs USDC’s $74.1 billion, yet USDC’s partnerships with platforms like OKX and MoneyGram signal expanding adoption. Crossmint’s broader strategy includes collaborations with other blockchain projects, such as Tempo, a payments-focused layer-1 network incubated by Stripe and Paradigm, to further drive stablecoin infrastructure Circle and Crossmint Expand Stablecoin Rails for Humans and AI^[1].

The initiative also reflects broader regulatory and technological advancements. Circle has integrated USDC into multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and Base, and recently launched the Circle Payments Network (CPN) to facilitate compliant, cross-chain transactions. The U.S. Congress’s passage of the GENIUS Act in July 2025 has further provided a regulatory framework for stablecoins, supporting their integration into mainstream finance The Official Blog of Circle and USDC | All Blog Posts^[4]. Analysts note that AI agents could become Ethereum’s largest users, leveraging stablecoins for automated services ranging from self-driving taxis to content publishing Circle and Crossmint Expand Stablecoin Rails for Humans and AI^[1].