Key facts
- Circle is piloting USDC settlement in Colombia using ACI Worldwide's Bre-B instant-payments system.
- The initiative aims to integrate stablecoins into existing banking infrastructure rather than replace it.
- ACI's platform is designed to be technology-agnostic, supporting other payment networks and digital-asset providers over time.
Circle is expanding its presence in Latin America by collaborating with ACI Worldwide to integrate its USDC stablecoin settlement into the region's existing banking infrastructure, with an initial pilot in Colombia. Announced on Tuesday, the partnership utilizes ACI's Connetic payments orchestration platform to demonstrate how stablecoins can operate alongside traditional payment systems. The pilot in Colombia will leverage ACI's Bre-B instant-payments network to explore how USDC can function within real-time, account-to-account systems, creating a multi-rail ecosystem. This move aligns with a broader trend of financial institutions seeking practical applications for stablecoins within their current operational frameworks. Circle views this as a bridge between traditional finance and the digital economy, building on its previous expansion into emerging markets and a prior USDC integration with Mercado Pago in Argentina. The company highlights Colombia's significant cross-border remittance volumes and familiarity with dollar-denominated savings as key factors for the pilot.