Circle and Fiserv Forge Strategic Alliance to Revolutionize Stablecoin Payments

NEW YORK – June 23, 2025 – Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: CRCL), a global financial technology firm and a dominant force in the stablecoin market, today announced a landmark strategic collaboration with Fiserv, Inc. (NYSE: FI), a leading global provider of payments and financial services technology solutions. This pivotal partnership is set to jointly explore and develop stablecoin-enabled solutions for financial institutions and merchants operating within the expansive Fiserv ecosystem. This collaboration will bring together Circle's comprehensive stablecoin platform, including its widely adopted USDC stablecoin, with Fiserv's deep expertise in payment processing, merchant acquiring, and financial technology infrastructure.

The alliance aims to address the growing demand for faster, more efficient, and cost-effective payment solutions by leveraging the inherent advantages of stablecoins. By integrating Circle's stablecoin technology into Fiserv's robust network, the partnership seeks to enable a new generation of payment capabilities, including real-time settlements, enhanced cross-border transactions, and innovative treasury management solutions for businesses of all sizes. This initiative is poised to significantly expand the utility and adoption of stablecoins beyond their traditional cryptocurrency exchange use cases, pushing them further into mainstream commerce and financial services.

Driving Innovation in Digital Payments

The collaboration signifies a major step forward in bridging the gap between traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset economy. Fiserv's extensive reach, serving thousands of financial institutions and millions of merchants globally, provides an unparalleled distribution channel for Circle's stablecoin technology. This synergy is expected to unlock new revenue streams for both companies and offer their clients a competitive edge in an increasingly digital world. The initial phase of the collaboration will focus on identifying key use cases and developing pilot programs to test the efficacy and scalability of stablecoin-powered payments in real-world scenarios.

Key areas of exploration include:

• Merchant Payments: Enabling merchants to accept stablecoin payments, potentially reducing transaction fees and accelerating settlement times.
• Cross-Border Remittances: Facilitating faster and cheaper international money transfers for both consumers and businesses.
• Treasury Management: Offering corporate clients new tools for managing liquidity and optimizing cash flow using stablecoins.
• Financial Institution Services: Providing banks and credit unions with the infrastructure to offer stablecoin-related services to their customers.

Market Implications and Investment Insights

This strategic partnership between Circle and Fiserv carries significant implications for the financial technology and digital asset sectors. For Fiserv (FI), the collaboration underscores its commitment to innovation and its proactive approach to embracing emerging technologies. It positions Fiserv as a frontrunner in integrating blockchain-based solutions into traditional financial infrastructure, potentially attracting new clients and strengthening its market leadership. Investors in FI should view this as a positive long-term strategic move that could diversify its revenue streams and enhance its competitive moat.

For Circle (CRCL), this partnership represents a monumental validation of its stablecoin technology and a significant expansion of its ecosystem. Gaining access to Fiserv's vast network could dramatically accelerate the adoption of USDC and solidify Circle's position as a foundational layer in the future of digital payments. This move could also pave the way for other stablecoin issuers to seek similar partnerships with established financial technology providers.

Investment Insights:

• Fiserv (FI): The partnership could lead to increased adoption of Fiserv's payment solutions and potentially higher transaction volumes, positively impacting future earnings. Investors should monitor the progress of pilot programs and the broader integration strategy.
• Circle (CRCL): This collaboration significantly enhances Circle's market reach and legitimacy, potentially driving up the demand for USDC and strengthening its overall business model. It reinforces Circle's narrative as a key player in the digital economy's infrastructure.
• Broader Market: This alliance signals a growing acceptance and integration of stablecoins into mainstream finance, which could benefit other companies involved in digital asset infrastructure, blockchain technology, and payment processing. It highlights the increasing convergence of traditional finance and decentralized finance (DeFi).

This collaboration is a testament to the evolving landscape of financial services, where traditional giants are increasingly recognizing the transformative potential of digital assets. As the partnership progresses, it is expected to set new benchmarks for efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in the global payments ecosystem.