Circle has expanded its stablecoin payments network by adding Tazapay, two months after acquiring IBM’s blockchain patent portfolio. The deal gives Circle local payment infrastructure across more than 100 markets and over 60 banking and fintech partners, helping move funds between USD Coin (USDC) and local currencies. Tazapay supports over 35 currencies and same-day bank settlements, with annualized payment volume exceeding $25 billion. More than 60% of that volume already uses stablecoins. Circle’s payments network reached $23 billion in annualized transaction volume by July. The acquisition is expected to close in 2027.
Circle’s addition of Tazapay, two months after acquiring IBM’s blockchain patent portfolio, brings local payment infrastructure across over 100 markets under its control. The deal adds more than sixty banking and fintech partners, helping Circle move funds between USD Coin (USDC) and local currencies.
Tazapay supports over 35 currencies and same-day bank settlements, giving Circle access to established payment rails across Asia and Latin America. Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s co-founder, CEO, and chairman, said, “Stablecoin settlement is becoming core infrastructure in the global economy.”
More than 60% of Tazapay’s payment volume already uses stablecoins, making integration more direct. By owning these local rails, Circle can reduce reliance on intermediaries while making cross-border USDC payments faster and easier for businesses.
Tazapay’s annualized volume now exceeds $25 billion, up from more than $10 billion in August 2025. That means Tazapay doubled its payment run rate within roughly one year, before Circle stepped in.
Around $15 billion of Tazapay’s annualized flow uses stablecoins, giving Circle substantial digital-dollar activity from day one. Rather than just expanding Circle’s geographic footprint, the deal buys an operational payment business of significant scale.
Rising payment volume would be a clear indication of whether Circle can turn Tazapay’s momentum into broader stablecoin settlement. Circle’s payments network reached $23 billion in annualized transaction volume by July, rising from $14.7 billion at the end of Q2.
The number of enrolled financial institutions increased by 29% in three months to 175, indicating a strong trend of increased usage before the Tazapay purchase. Since the deal is expected to close in 2027, these figures provide a baseline rather than post-deal growth.
Once integration begins, the focus shifts to whether USDC volumes and transaction counts accelerate beyond this trajectory. Stronger monthly growth across Tazapay-linked corridors would show the acquisition is creating additional payment activity, rather than simply adding infrastructure.
