Circle collaborates with African fintech company Sasai to expand USDC cross-border payment applications

Network financial platform company Circle (NYSE: CRCL) announced that its affiliate has partnered with Sasai Fintech, a subsidiary of Cassava Technologies, to accelerate the adoption of stablecoin USDC in Africa and expand Web3-native financial infrastructure. The target areas include remittances, commercial transactions, and mobile wallet services.

According to the announcement, this partnership will integrate the second-largest stablecoin into Sasai’s existing payment infrastructure, which supports cross-border transfers, business payments, and consumer wallets, aiming to reduce costs and settlement times. Sasai operates in multiple African markets, providing digital payment services that can be integrated with Circle’s on-chain infrastructure.

A report released by Chainalysis in September last year showed that cryptocurrency adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa surged sharply, increasing by 52% over 12 months until June 2025. The region’s on-chain value exceeded $205 billion.

Circle stated that driven by mobile-first consumers, cross-border e-commerce, and a rapidly growing digital economy, stablecoin usage in Africa is expanding quickly. Circle and Sasai Fintech will collaborate to explore practical applications of USDC and how Circle’s full-stack platform can help Sasai’s enterprise and individual clients reduce costs, minimize friction, and shorten settlement times.

“Africa’s digital economy is entering a new era, thanks to entrepreneurial spirit, a mobile-first generation, and the accelerated development of regional trade,” said Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairman of Cassava Technologies. “By integrating with the trusted and widely used USDC network, we can promote financial inclusion and create transformative opportunities for businesses and consumers.”