Circle Expands USDC Reach with Native Launch on OKX's X Layer
Circle has expanded its USDC stablecoin's reach by launching it natively on OKX's X Layer, a secondary processing network built on Ethereum. This move activates the Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP), allowing for direct burning and minting of tokens at a 1:1 ratio across compatible chains.
The X Layer network will temporarily maintain support for the bridged version (USDC.e) while encouraging a progressive migration towards the native variant. This integration turns the Layer 2 solution into an Ethereum Virtual Machine-compatible environment, featuring direct liquidity issued by Circle itself.
The Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol simplifies workflows for developers by enabling them to move funds between blockchain networks without locking assets in vulnerable smart contracts or using third-party managed bridged versions. The architecture enables building lending markets, trading platforms, real-world asset tokenization tools, and automated AI applications with unified liquidity.