Circle adds native USDC and CCTP to OKX X Layer

Circle has launched its native USDC stablecoin and its Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) on OKX's X Layer, an Ethereum-compatible layer-2 network, the company announced on August 7. This integration provides developers and businesses on the network with direct access to the regulated digital dollar for payments, decentralized finance (DeFi), and automated applications.

The launch replaces the previous reliance on bridged versions of USDC, where tokens were locked on Ethereum and recreated on X Layer. With native issuance, USDC is now issued directly by Circle on the network, creating a standard version that connects with Circle's broader payment and cross-chain infrastructure. Qualified businesses can also issue and redeem USDC through Circle Mint on X Layer, subject to the company's eligibility requirements.

Concurrently, Circle activated its Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol on the network. CCTP enables users to transfer USDC between supported blockchains through a burn-and-mint process, moving the native asset without requiring wrapped tokens or third-party liquidity pools. Following this integration, CCTP is now available across 26 blockchains, while native USDC operates on...