Mastercard and Finastra Push Stablecoins into Global Banking’s Future

Circle has expanded its stablecoin infrastructure partnerships with Mastercard and Finastra to enhance the adoption of USDC and EURC in cross-border and regional payment ecosystems. These agreements are part of a broader strategy to integrate stablecoins into traditional financial infrastructure, leveraging the scale and security of global payment networks to facilitate more efficient, real-time transactions.

Mastercard has extended its collaboration with Circle to enable acquirers and merchants in the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) region to settle transactions using USDC and EURC, marking the first time that the acquiring ecosystem in this region can benefit from stablecoin-based settlement. Arab Financial Services (AFS) and Eazy Financial Services (EFS) will be among the first to utilize this capability. This development strengthens Mastercard’s role in connecting blockchain-native assets with traditional fiat commerce infrastructure. The initiative builds upon prior collaborations, such as with Bybit and S1LKPAY, which already use USDC for transaction settlements. Mastercard emphasized its commitment to integrating stablecoins into everyday financial activities by investing in the necessary infrastructure, governance, and partnerships to support the transition from fiat to tokenized and programmable money.

Samer Soliman, CEO of AFS, highlighted that this innovation provides future-ready infrastructure for clients, reducing friction in high-volume settlements and improving liquidity and operational efficiency. Similarly, Nayef Al Alawi, CEO of Eazy Financial Services, noted that this partnership sets a new standard for digital settlement in the region, enabling faster, more secure, and efficient payment solutions for merchants and consumers.

In parallel, Finastra has entered into a strategic collaboration with Circle to integrate USDC settlement into cross-border payment flows through its Global PAYplus (GPP) platform. This platform processes over $5 trillion in cross-border transactions daily. The partnership allows banks to settle international payments in USDC, even when the original payment instructions are in fiat currency, reducing reliance on traditional correspondent banking chains. This innovation enables faster settlement times while maintaining compliance and foreign exchange processes. Finastra’s CEO, Chris Walters, stated that this collaboration equips banks with the tools to innovate without building separate payment infrastructures. Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, added that Finastra’s extensive network and expertise make them a natural partner for expanding USDC’s role in global cross-border payments.

Circle’s USDC has been gaining traction globally, particularly in the wake of the GENIUS Act, which established the first federal regulatory framework for stablecoins in the United States. The company has also announced partnerships with other major players, such as OKX, to expand USDC’s liquidity and adoption. Additionally, Circle is exploring the potential for a won-backed stablecoin in South Korea and has formed a joint venture with SBI Group, Ripple, and Startale to promote USDC adoption in Japan.

The integration of USDC into mainstream payment systems reflects a broader industry shift toward tokenized assets and stablecoin-driven commerce. As stablecoins continue to evolve, their role in remittances, B2B transactions, and gig economy payouts is expected to grow, supported by robust infrastructure like Mastercard’s Crypto Credential and Crypto Secure. These developments underscore the potential of stablecoins to become a foundational layer in global financial systems, bridging the gap between traditional and digital finance while maintaining regulatory compliance and security.

Source:

[1] Mastercard Expands Partnership with Circle to Transform Digital Settlement for Merchants and Acquirers in Region (https://www.mastercard.com/news/eemea/en/newsroom/press-releases/en/2025-1/august/mastercard-expands-partnership-with-circle-to-transform-digital-settlement-for-merchants-and-acquirers-in-region/)

[2] Finastra and Circle Forge Strategic Collaboration to Bring Stablecoin Settlement to Cross-Border Payments (https://www.circle.com/pressroom/finastra-and-circle-forge-strategic-collaboration-to-bring-stablecoin-settlement-to-cross-border-payments)

[3] Circle Pushes USDC Deeper into Global Payments with New Deals with Mastercard and Finastra (https://cointelegraph.com/news/circle-usdc-payments-new-deals-mastercard-finastra)

[4] Circle and Finastra Form Cross-Border Stablecoin Pact Targeting Banks (https://www.pymnts.com/partnerships/2025/circle-and-finastra-form-cross-border-stablecoin-pact-targeting-banks)

[5] Finastra and Circle Enable $5T Cross-Border USDC Settlement for Banks (https://cryptonews.com/news/circle-finastra-partner-on-usdc-settlement-for-cross-border-payments/)

[6] Mastercard and Circle to Boost Digital Settlement (https://thepaypers.com/crypto-web3-and-cbdc/news/mastercard-and-circle-to-transform-digital-settlement-for-acquirers-in-eemea)

[7] Banking Sector Campaigns Against Loophole in Stablecoin Law (https://www.pymnts.com/news/banking/2025/banking-sector-campaigns-against-loophole-in-stablecoin-law/)