Circle has partnered with African fintech Sasai to expand adoption of its USDC stablecoin across key African payment corridors. The move targets remittances, business payments, and mobile wallet services-areas where transaction costs remain stubbornly high.
Sasai’s existing infrastructure, which spans multiple African markets, will integrate Circle’s onchain platform to reduce settlement times and fees. The United Nations aims to cut global remittance costs to under 3%, but countries like Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia still face rates above 7%.
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said the focus is on high-growth emerging markets. Cassava Technologies Chairman Strive Masiyiwa added that the integration could broaden access to digital finance for both businesses and consumers.
Sub-Saharan Africa saw crypto adoption surge 52% year-over-year through June 2025, with over $205 billion in onchain value received-led by Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya. Much of this activity stems from remittances and demand for alternatives to volatile local currencies.
USDC, the second-largest stablecoin by market cap at $78.6 billion, is increasingly positioned as a low-cost, fast settlement tool in regions underserved by traditional finance.