Shares of Circle Internet Group rose 10.7% on Wednesday after the stablecoin issuer announced two major developments: a partnership with Brazilian fintech Matera to enable multicurrency bank payments, and the integration of its USDC stablecoin into Sam Altman’s World Chain.
World, formerly known as Worldcoin, revealed that around 2 million users previously held bridged USDC—cryptocurrency transferred from another blockchain—which has now been upgraded to native USDC issued directly by Circle.
Additionally, Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol, which enables rapid USDC transfers across blockchains, has been launched for World’s 27 million users. These users joined the network by scanning their eyes to verify their humanity.
World reported that users have been utilizing USDC on the network for remittances and within Mini Apps, which offer tools for payments, e-commerce, and other services.
Circle partners with Matera to enable bank payments
Brazilian fintech Matera announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with Circle to enable the country’s banks to support multicurrency accounts.
Through its real-time ledger platform, Digital Twin, Matera will allow financial institutions to directly hold Circle’s USDC alongside Brazilian reals and U.S. dollars in a unified system—eliminating the need to build complex infrastructure from scratch.
The solution will also integrate with local payment networks, including Brazil’s instant payment system Pix, enabling seamless transactions and transfers using USDC.
“Interoperability between stablecoins and local currency accounts is no longer a side project — it’s now at the heart of the financial system,” said Matera CEO Carlos Netto. “This is a game-changer for banks and fintechs aiming to operate globally with near-instant settlement and minimal costs.”
Circle shares surge more than 10%
Shares of Circle (CRCL) closed up 10.7% on Wednesday following news of two major deals, before dipping 0.2% in after-hours trading to just under $117, according to Yahoo Finance.
The stablecoin issuer went public in the U.S. on June 5 with an upsized offering, and its stock has since soared nearly 280% from its initial trading price of $31.
World made its U.S. debut in April
Founded in 2019 by Tools for Humanity—based in San Francisco and Berlin—World made its U.S. debut at the end of April, launching in six cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, and San Francisco.
Users of World Chain who verify their identity by scanning their face and eyes with the company’s mirrored spherical device, known as the Orb, receive the network’s native crypto token, Worldcoin, as a reward.
The company had previously avoided launching in the U.S. due to regulatory concerns surrounding the distribution of its token. However, it now appears to have moved forward under the more crypto-friendly stance of the Trump administration.
Outside the U.S., World has faced scrutiny from regulators over privacy issues. Some countries, including Spain and Portugal, have suspended its operations due to concerns about data collection practices.
