Circle Expands Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol to Support Euro and Bitcoin Assets on Arc

How CCTP Enables Native Asset Transfers Without Liquidity Risk

Circle has extended its Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) on the Arc network beyond USDC to include native support for EURC and cirBTC, effective September 24, 2026. The update enables seamless, low-latency transfers of euro-pegged stablecoins and wrapped Bitcoin across chains without relying on third-party liquidity pools. This expansion marks a significant step in broadening CCTP’s utility for multi-asset use cases on Arc.

The move follows growing demand for interoperable stablecoin and digital asset solutions in decentralized finance. By integrating EURC, Circle’s euro-backed stablecoin, and cirBTC, its Bitcoin representation, the protocol now supports three major assets natively. Gateway and Bridge Kit are being readied to handle additional multi-asset workflows, signaling preparations for further integrations. Circle emphasized that the upgrade maintains the same security and atomicity guarantees as the original USDC implementation.

What Multi-Asset Workflows Could Gateway Support Next?

CCTP operates by burning tokens on the source chain and minting equivalent amounts on the destination chain, eliminating slippage and counterparty exposure. This mechanism ensures that EURC and cirBTC retain their pegged value during transfers, unlike traditional bridging methods that depend on external reserves. Developers on Arc can now build applications that move euros and Bitcoin between chains with predictable costs and finality. Circle noted that transaction times remain under two minutes, consistent with USDC performance.

Gateway, Circle’s enterprise-facing toolkit, is being adapted to orchestrate complex flows involving EURC, cirBTC, and future assets like yen-pegged stablecoins or tokenized commodities. Early use cases include cross-border payroll, treasury management, and decentralized lending protocols requiring multi-currency settlement. Circle said Bridge Kit will simplify integration for wallets and exchanges seeking to offer native asset transfers. The company did not specify a timeline for additional asset rollouts but confirmed internal testing is underway.

What is the main benefit of adding EURC and cirBTC to CCTP? It allows users to transfer euro and Bitcoin assets across chains natively, preserving value without relying on liquidity pools or exposing themselves to price slippage during bridging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will CCTP support other fiat-pegged stablecoins in the future? Circle indicated that Gateway and Bridge Kit are being prepared for additional multi-asset workflows, suggesting future expansion beyond EURC and cirBTC, though no specific assets were named.

How does cirBTC differ from other wrapped Bitcoin tokens on Arc? cirBTC is issued by Circle and designed to work natively with CCTP, ensuring atomic transfers with guaranteed 1:1 backing and minimal latency, unlike some third-party alternatives.