Circle has agreed to acquire Singapore-based cross-border payments company Tazapay in a $400 million all-stock deal as it expands the infrastructure behind USDC payments.
The acquisition would give Circle access to Tazapay’s network of more than 60 banking and fintech partners, local payout rails across more than 100 markets and more than $25 billion in annualised payment volume.
About 60% of Tazapay’s transaction volume already involves stablecoins, making the company a natural fit for Circle’s payments strategy.
The deal is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals, including approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
Why Circle wants Tazapay
Circle already has USDC and Circle Payments Network, but moving stablecoins across borders is only part of the payment process.
Money still needs to enter and leave local financial systems.
Tazapay provides that connection through virtual accounts, payouts, payment gateways and local payment rails. Its infrastructure covers markets across Asia-Pacific and other emerging economies, giving Circle access to local banking relationships that would take years to build independently.
The acquisition therefore gives Circle more than another payments company. It adds the infrastructure required to connect USDC with local currencies and existing financial systems.
Tazapay already has significant stablecoin activity
Tazapay processes more than $25 billion in annualised payment volume across its network.The company has more than 60 banking and fintech partners and supports payouts in over 100 markets.
Stablecoins already account for roughly 60% of its transaction volume, according to Circle.That existing activity gives Circle a ready-made payments network where stablecoins are already being used rather than having to build demand from scratch.
The local-rail problem for stablecoins
Stablecoins can move value quickly across blockchain networks, but businesses still need ways to convert that value into local currencies and pay recipients through local financial systems.
This is where payment infrastructure becomes important. A business sending USDC internationally, for example, may still need a local bank account, payment provider or payout network to deliver funds to the recipient in their preferred currency.
Tazapay’s network is designed around that last part of the transaction. By combining it with USDC, Circle is positioning its stablecoin as part of a complete cross-border payment flow rather than simply an asset that businesses transfer between wallets.
Circle wants USDC deeper into global payments
Circle says the acquisition will help it expand USDC distribution and increase its ability to originate and terminate payments globally.
The company is targeting near-instant, 24/7 money movement across markets where stablecoin payments are gaining adoption.
For Circle, that means competing not only in the stablecoin market but also for a larger role in the infrastructure used by businesses to move money internationally.
The company has described stablecoin settlement as becoming core financial infrastructure, while Tazapay’s existing network gives it a direct connection to local payment systems.
The acquisition has not yet closed.Until it does, Tazapay says its customers will continue operating under their existing arrangements, including current contracts, virtual accounts, payout routes, APIs, pricing and support.Any future changes are expected to be communicated separately.
The transaction still requires regulatory clearance, including approval from Singapore’s monetary authorityI If completed, the deal would give Circle a much larger network of local payment connections and strengthen its attempt to make USDC a practical rail for cross-border commerce.