DeFi protocol Stargate integrates Circle’s CCTP for native USDC transfers
Stargate, a composable liquidity transport protocol, has announced its integration with Circle’s cross-chain transfer protocol.
In an announcement on Mar. 19, Stargate ( STG ) said integrating stablecoin issuer Circle’s Cross-Chain Transport Protocol is a major development.
Per details the platform shared, CCTP will bring native USDC ( USDC ) transfers to Stargate Finance’s users. CCTP, which Circle recently upgraded to enhance its functionality, will help Stargate users transfer native USDC across several supported networks.
This means 1:1 capital efficiency for users on Ethereum, Solana and Aptos, as well as layer 2 scaling solutions Base, Optimism and Arbitrum. CCTP on Stargate will also support native USDC transfers between the decentralized finance protocol and Avalanche and Polygon.
“By integrating Circle’s CCTP, Stargate expands its reach and ability to serve more users and ecosystems, with seamless value transfer,” the protocol posted on X.
Stargate’s integration of CCTP comes just days after Circle launched an upgraded version of the cross-chain transport protocol. The unveiling of CCTP v2 , according to Circle, offers an enhanced version of the solution, with the main improvement being the slashing of transaction times for transfers to Ethereum and layer 2s from minutes to seconds.
Typically, such transactions have taken 13-19 minutes. But CCTP v2 cuts this to seconds via the Faster Transfer feature. Circle’s Hooks feature also adds to overall efficiency with automatic swaps and treasury management.
“The launch of CCTPv2 is a huge leap forward in building fast, secure and simple to use financial applications onchain. It enables cross-chain USDC movement in seconds (fast finality), new developer hooks to connect automation and composability with transfers, and high security,” Jeremy Allaire, co-founder and chief executive officer of Circle, said at the time.
Recently, bridged USDC Standard went live on Story, the Stargate Hydra chain that allows for tokenization of intelligence. Leveraging bridged USDC will allow developers to continue building high-quality dApps as users benefit from value transfer across the blockchain network.
The deployment means users can use the bridged version of the stablecoin to move value from and to more than 30 networks connected to Stargate.
RWA boom is inevitable, but BSC sell-offs expose crypto risks: pro
Jack Tan, co-founder of WOO X, outlined key trends shaping the crypto market in a note to crypto.news.
Tan discussed the booming expansion of real-world assets and recent sell-offs within the Binance Smart Chain ecosystem. Tan pointed to the accelerating adoption of RWAs , with projections estimating the sector could reach $16.1 trillion by 2030.
“This showcases the long-term potential of asset tokenization,” Tan wrote in a note. “As the RWA sector matures, key projects such as ONDO, LINK, MKR, and PLUME—which focus on tokenization, liquidity, and decentralized finance infrastructure—are well-positioned to benefit from this growth.”
Institutional interest is rising, exemplified by BlackRock’s BUIDL fund, which has grown from an initial $100 million USDC in March 2024 to over $1 billion, capturing 30% of the tokenized U.S. Treasuries market.
Beyond Treasuries, RWAs are expanding into new financial products.
Ondo Finance recently partnered with Mastercard to integrate its OUSG bond fund into Mastercard’s Multi-Token Network, enabling crypto payments to interact with traditional financial systems.
Meanwhile, Coinbase is reportedly collaborating with Swiss tokenization firm Backed to launch tokenized stocks, such as “wbCOIN,” on its layer-2 network, Base , according to Tan. These developments reflect increasing institutional confidence in blockchain-based financial instruments.
The BSC ecosystem has seen increased liquidity in projects like MUBARAK , PALU, ATM, and Broccoli.
However, investor confidence was shaken after crypto influencer Wolfy_XBT was accused of triggering panic through aggressive sell-offs of BNB ( BNB ) Card-related tokens, Tan wrote. The event has fueled broader discussions about potential risks in tokenized ecosystems.
As RWAs gain traction and crypto markets respond to macroeconomic shifts, Tan stressed that projects such as ONDO ( ONDO ), LINK ( LINK ), Maker ( MKR ), and PLUME are well-positioned to capitalize on the evolving landscape.
DOGE Undervalued? Crypto Experts Anticipate A Major Rebound!
The Dogecoin is once again flashing on the radars. At $0.13, it teeters on the edge of a technical precipice… or a springboard. The charts whisper a contradictory story: oversold indicators, weakened historical supports, but also signals that have preceded rallies of +400% in 2024. So, is DOGE a neglected gem or a trap for speculators? Crypto experts lean towards the former option… provided the stars align.
The DOGE is navigating a critical zone. Its price is currently testing a key support zone: a bullish trendline drawn since 2020, combined with the 200-week exponential moving average ($0.13).
This technical crossroads has already served as a springboard for spectacular rebounds. In 2023, a similar setup propelled the crypto by +88% in a matter of weeks.
But the real wake-up call comes from the stochastic RSI. This indicator, often overlooked by novices, has just drawn a bullish crossover in oversold territory (below 0.30). A rare signal that has preceded all major DOGE rallies since 2021. “It’s a breath of fresh air for tactical buyers,” explains an anonymous trader, emphasizing that selling pressure is waning.
Santiment’s on-chain data reveals a 1.24% increase in wallets holding at least 1 million DOGE since early February, despite the drop in prices. Meanwhile, the number of active addresses has reached a four-month high, a sign of booming network activity.
There remains a significant hurdle: the wall at $0.22. A level where the 50-week moving average and a tough resistance zone (March-April 2024) converge. For bulls, crossing this threshold would be akin to breaking a spell.
Dogecoin is not a crypto like the others. Born from a joke, adopted by Elon Musk, it embodies the pure psychology of the masses. Today, its rebound potential does not solely rely on the charts. The fundamentals, often mocked, also play a role.
Minimal fees ($0.01 per transaction) and an ultra-engaged community make it an unexpected micro-payment tool.
Yet, the risk is palpable. If the $0.13 support fails, the drop could reach $0.12, a psychological and technical threshold. Nervous short-term holders could amplify the descent.
Dogecoin fascinates as much as it confuses. Undervalued? The technical indicators scream “yes,” but the market remains wary. Experts remind a rule: in crypto, the most mocked assets are often the ones that surprise.
In the short term, everything will depend on institutional flows and the appetite for risky assets. A rebound in BTC ETFs or an unexpected announcement (a boost from Musk?) could electrify the prices. But beware of mirages: the DOGE remains a volatile bet.
Report: 83% of institutional investors plan to increase crypto holdings
In 2025, 83% of institutional investors plan to increase their allocation of funds to crypto holdings, according to a report by Coinbase and EY-Parthenon.
The report, which was published on Mar. 18 on Coinbase’s blog, collected opinions from decision-makers in 352 companies. It revealed that there is a growing belief that cryptocurrency will continue to yield strong returns.
Over half (59%) of those surveyed plan to allocate at least 5% of their assets under management to digital assets this year. This shift signals that crypto is moving beyond its reputation as a niche investment and is becoming a core part of institutional portfolios.
84% of investors are either using or considering using stablecoins , which have gained massive traction in the past year. Although stablecoins have historically been used to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions, they are currently being explored for use in yield generation, foreign exchange, cash management, and payments, among other areas.
Institutional interest in decentralized finance is rising as well. While only 24% of surveyed investors currently engage with DeFi, that figure is expected to reach 75% within two years. Many businesses view DeFi as a chance to gain access to the lending, derivatives, and staking markets.
73% of respondents said they own assets other than Bitcoin ( BTC ) and Ethereum ( ETH ), indicating that interest in altcoins is still high. Ripple ( XRP ) and Solana ( SOL ) are the most commonly held, and many investors are considering single-asset exchange-traded products for altcoins.
Even with the optimism, there are still obstacles to overcome. Investors’ top concerns are regulatory uncertainty (52%), market volatility (47%), and secure custody (33%). 68% of respondents believe that more transparent regulations will contribute to future market expansion.
In a related development, on Mar. 17, Securitize and Ethena Labs launched Converge, a blockchain designed to support institutional adoption of tokenized assets. Backed by leading companies like Aave Labs, Pendle, and Maple Finance, the Ethereum-compatible network seeks to connect DeFi and traditional finance by offering a regulated setting for tokenized assets.