# Circle Targets Expansion Into 40 Developing Markets CEO Jeremy Allaire signals a shift toward mainstream stablecoin adoption in emerging economies. - **Source:** [Cointelegraph.com News](https://brifing.si/source/2e81e982-0137-4db0-8ac2-351f37085775) - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ac1c10d8-7f08-4141-bc09-abf061c839ac ## Strategic Global Expansion Plans Circle is actively pursuing entry into approximately 40 developing markets to capitalize on rising demand. CEO Jeremy Allaire identified Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East as primary regions. This initiative aims to integrate individuals and businesses into the global internet-based economic system through stablecoin-backed financial infrastructure solutions. ## Transitioning to Mainstream Scaling Allaire describes the current period as an inflection point for blockchain technology. The industry is shifting from an early adopter phase into a mainstream scaling phase. This transition is supported by the growing utility of stablecoins for daily payments, moving beyond speculative trading toward practical, real-world financial applications globally. ## Market Growth and Adoption Drivers Analysts at Bernstein highlight several factors fueling this growth cycle for USDC. Key drivers include renewed momentum in crypto markets and improved regulatory clarity in the United States. Furthermore, the rise of tokenized capital markets and the increasing use of stablecoins by AI agents are accelerating broader adoption rates. ## USDC Transaction Volume Dominance While Tether remains the largest stablecoin by total market capitalization, USDC has achieved significant milestones in transaction activity. Bernstein reports that USDC's share of adjusted stablecoin transaction volume climbed from 40% in 2025 to over 60% in 2026. This metric indicates that USDC is increasingly preferred for actual payment settlements. ## Acquisition of Tazapay Platform Circle recently announced a definitive agreement to acquire the Singapore-based cross-border payments firm Tazapay. The all-stock transaction is valued at $400 million and is expected to finalize in 2027. This acquisition serves as a critical component of Circle’s infrastructure strategy to facilitate seamless international payments across various emerging markets. ## Context of Global Meetings Allaire disclosed these expansion plans while attending the IMF and World Bank meetings held in Bangkok. The setting underscores the intersection of traditional financial institutions and digital asset providers. By engaging with global economic leaders, Circle aims to position stablecoins as a foundational layer for future cross-border financial services. ## Competitive Landscape and Positioning Circle maintains its position as the second-largest dollar-backed stablecoin issuer globally. Despite trailing Tether in total market cap, the company is aggressively closing the gap in utility-based metrics. The focus on developing regions suggests a long-term strategy to capture market share where traditional banking infrastructure may be less accessible. ## Future Outlook for Stablecoins The next 12 months are projected to be a pivotal period for Circle’s growth trajectory. With regulatory clarity improving and payment use cases expanding, the company is scaling its operations to meet global demand. The successful integration of Tazapay and entry into 40 new markets will define their competitive standing. ## Sources covering this story - https://cointelegraph.com/news/circles-allaire-says-stablecoin-issuer-looking-to-enter-40-developing-markets-report?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._