Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: CRCL) has announced a strategic collaboration with Sasai Fintech, a business under Cassava Technologies, to accelerate the adoption of USDC and expand digital financial infrastructure across Africa.
USDC is a fully-backed, transparent stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, widely used for programmable payments and financial applications globally.
The partnership aims to explore practical applications for USDC in Africa, focusing on reducing transaction costs, improving settlement speed, and enabling seamless cross-border payments for both enterprises and consumers. This comes at a time when stablecoin usage on the continent is rapidly growing, driven by mobile-first consumers, increasing intra-regional trade, and a rapidly expanding digital economy.
Sasai Fintech provides a suite of digital financial services, including business payments, cross-border transfers, and mobile wallet solutions. By integrating Circle’s onchain infrastructure with USDC, Sasai’s platforms will connect African users directly to the global financial system, enhancing financial inclusion and creating new opportunities for individuals and businesses alike.
Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman at Cassava Technologies, said the move would help Africa’s digital economy enter a “new era,” highlighting the potential for entrepreneurship and mobile-first innovation. He emphasized that integrating with the USDC network can open transformative financial opportunities for businesses and consumers.
Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO of Circle, described Africa as a leading region for stablecoin adoption, noting that the collaboration will extend the benefits of USDC into high-growth payment corridors, enabling always-on global connectivity.
The partnership underscores the growing role of stablecoins in emerging markets, positioning Africa as a key frontier for internet-native financial services and cross-border payment innovation. By combining Circle’s technology with Cassava’s local expertise, the collaboration seeks to accelerate the continent’s shift toward digital-first financial ecosystems.
Source: Circle Group