Circle has partnered with global payouts provider Nium to expand the reach of its USDC stablecoin, resulting in a $2 billion increase in USDC supply. This collaboration integrates Nium into the Circle Payments Network, allowing institutions to access Nium's payout infrastructure across over 190 countries and in more than 100 currencies. The partnership aims to streamline cross-border payments by combining Circle's regulated USDC settlement with Nium's local-currency delivery capabilities. The integration offers a seamless experience for firms using the Circle Payments Network, enabling them to route settlements directly into Nium's system with a single integration. This setup includes features like FX optimization and smart routing, reducing the need for multiple local payout providers. Circle's chief commercial officer, Kash Razzaghi, highlighted the growing institutional interest in stablecoins to address cross-border payment challenges. The partnership is part of Circle's broader strategy to expand its institutional stablecoin services, following its recent regulatory approval in Luxembourg.