Circle has added Aave as a new venue for Bitcoin-backed borrowing, enabling eligible Circle Mint clients to post cirBTC as collateral to borrow USDC. This integration expands upon an existing Morpho-based service to provide additional decentralized lending options for institutional users. While Circle facilitates access to the platform, liquidation mechanics are governed entirely by Aave protocol rules rather than Circle. The update broadens collateral utility for cirBTC holders within the Circle Mint ecosystem while maintaining decentralized risk management standards.