Highlights
- Circle launches Paymaster, a stablecoin payment solution, allowing USDC gas fee payments.
- Paymaster is now available on Ethereum-based Arbitrum and Base.
- The payment solution eliminates the requirement of native tokens like ETH for gas fees.
Circle, a peer-to-peer payments company, recently announced the launch of Circle Paymaster, a strategic stablecoin payments solution. According to the platform’s official blog post, Circle Paymaster facilitates gas fee payments in USDC on Ethereum-based Arbitrum and Base.
Notably, Paymaster provides a seamless transaction experience for users, eliminating the need for native tokens like Ethereum (ETH). The use of USD Coin (USDC) for gas fee payments demonstrates the growing adoption of stablecoins as a reliable alternative to highly volatile cryptocurrencies.
Circle Launches Stablecoin Payment Solution Paymaster
In a strategic development, Circle unveiled Paymaster as a strategic solution for gas fee payments. Paymaster is now live on Ethereum’s Arbitrum and Base, offering clients the option to pay gas fees with Circle’s USDC instead of the native ETH. Circle wrote in an official X post, “No more juggling tokens across blockchains—simply use USDC for payments, transfers, and gas fees.”
Introducing Circle Paymaster, enabling users to pay gas fees with USDC on @arbitrum and @base.
No more juggling tokens across blockchains—simply use USDC for payments, transfers, and gas fees.
Learn more: https://t.co/QHArlEhAJC pic.twitter.com/o3mKWLvyJR
— Circle (@circle) January 23, 2025
Notably, the move intends to remove the friction caused by the requirement of ETH for the gas fee payments. This prerequisite leads to poor user experience, especially for users who do not hold ETH. The native token requirement can also cause transaction failures and regulatory challenges. Thus, Circle’s Paymaster initiative envisions providing a better space, solving a major friction point for onchain transactions.
Paymaster Visions Stablecoin Solution Across Multiple Blockchains
Further, Circle revealed its intention to expand Paymaster services to more blockchain platforms including Ethereum, Polygon PoS, and Solana. The further expansion of the payment solution could foster stablecoin adoption and acceptance.
As per reports, a 10% fee of the gas cost is charged per transaction. However, this fee is temporarily waived until June 30 to promote adoption.
It is noteworthy that the Paymaster launch followed Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire’s significant statement regarding Donald Trump’s potential crypto policies. Allaire remains optimistic about the future incorporation of crypto trading services within the US banking sector.
Hashnote Acquisition and Tokenization of Real-World Assets
Recently, Circle acquired Hashnote, the company behind the $1.3 billion USYC tokenized money market fund. The stablecoin issuer’s move focuses on connecting traditional finance with blockchain technology. Jeremy Allaire stated, “We helped invent tokenized cash, and are now leading the way in tokenized money markets, both of which we believe will become essential to the future of the global financial system.”
The Hashnote purchase, together with the Paymaster launch, underscores Circle’s efforts to expand its presence in the digital asset market. It also demonstrates the platform’s aggressive growth strategy in the industry.
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