Circle expands USDC in Africa
Circle is partnering with Sasai Fintech to broaden USDC access across Africa, framing stablecoins as internet‑native infrastructure to improve digital‑dollar access and financial inclusion. (maglazana.com)
Circle Internet Group (NYSE: CRCL) formally announced the collaboration with Sasai Fintech, a business unit of Cassava Technologies, on March 24, 2026. (circle.com) Sasai’s payments platform already serves roughly 30 African markets, and industry reports say the deal will weave Circle’s on‑chain rails directly into those existing payment corridors to speed settlements. (technext24.com) Cassava Technologies disclosed a strategic investment from NVIDIA in October 2025, and Strive Masiyiwa is named as Cassava’s Founder and Executive Chairman in the partnership announcement. (techcabal.com) (circle.com) Circle positioned the tie‑up around integrating its enterprise stack—including Circle Payments Network and its Arc infrastructure—into Sasai’s wallets and remittance services to reduce friction for business and consumer flows. (circle.com) Continental remittance flows provide the market backdrop: the Africa Finance Corporation estimated about $95 billion in remittances to Africa in 2024, a pool Sasai and Circle explicitly target for cheaper cross‑border movement. (tekedia.com) The March 24 announcement coincided with U.S. Senate debate over a revised CLARITY Act draft that proposed banning passive stablecoin yield, a development that sent Circle shares down roughly 20% on the same day. (cnbc.com) (coindesk.com)
