XDC launches real-world USDC spending as stablecoins cross $307B

ambcryptoPublished on 2026-02-18Last updated on 2026-02-18

Abstract

Stablecoins, with a total market capitalization exceeding $307 billion, are primarily used for behind-the-scenes financial transactions. However, a new partnership between XDC Network and OrbitX Pay aims to bridge the gap between on-chain assets and real-world commerce. This integration will allow users to spend USD Coin (USDC) held on the XDC network directly at any merchant that accepts Visa, functioning like a regular card payment. The goal is to reduce reliance on costly and time-consuming fiat currency conversions and third-party off-ramps. Ritesh Kakkad, co-founder of XDC Network, sees this as a move towards everyday blockchain utility. Similarly, OrbitX CEO Ankitt Guar stated the initiative aims to reduce friction by keeping users in control of their assets while connecting to global payment networks. This development occurs as stablecoin adoption grows. A BVNK research report found that 56% of stablecoin users plan to acquire more in the next year, and over half increased their holdings in the past year. Notably, about 35% of income for freelancers and sellers is received in stablecoins on average. The move underscores the evolution of digital assets from speculative instruments into practical tools for daily spending, though meaningful adoption of such integrations remains an open question.

Stablecoins move trillions of dollars each year, but most of that activity still happens behind the scenes.

A new partnership between XDC Network and OrbitX Pay will test whether that can change by allowing USD Coin [USDC] held on XDC to be spent at merchants that accept Visa.

The idea is that users will keep funds on-chain until the moment they pay; the transaction itself works like a regular card payment.

This could reduce the need for fiat conversions and third-party off-ramps, which often add cost and delays.

Ritesh Kakkaad, co-founder of XDC Network, argued that this is part of a change to everyday use.

“The real opportunity is when blockchain moves beyond powering finance behind the scenes…”

 OrbitX CEO Ankitt Guar also said in an official statement,

By keeping users in control of their assets while connecting to global payment networks, we aim to reduce the friction between on-chain value and real-world spending.”

Whether such integrations see meaningful adoption remains an open question.

Stablecoin engine on full power

Stablecoin total market capitalization is holding above $307 billion, with steady growth over the past year.

This matters because payment use cases tend to grow faster when there’s already liquidity and user familiarity in place.

Source: DeFiLlama

User behavior trends also look strong. A recent BVNK research report found that 56% of stablecoin users plan to acquire more over the next 12 months, while more than half increased their holdings over the past year.

Source: BVNK

Among freelancers and sellers who receive payments in stablecoins, about 35% of their income comes through these assets on average!

By eliminating fiat conversions and enabling direct stablecoin spending, the move underscores how digital assets are evolving from speculative instruments into practical payment tools.


Final Summary

  • Stablecoin adoption is accelerating, and real-world USDC spending only speeds it up.
  • The foundation for everyday crypto payments is already forming.
Next: Jito jumps 11% as new Solana market layer fuels demand: Is $0.50 next?
Share
  • Share
  • Tweet

Related Questions

QWhat is the new partnership between XDC Network and OrbitX Pay designed to achieve?

AThe partnership is designed to allow users to spend USD Coin (USDC) held on the XDC Network directly at merchants that accept Visa, testing the potential for on-chain assets to be used in everyday transactions.

QAccording to the article, what is a key benefit of spending stablecoins directly instead of converting to fiat?

AA key benefit is the reduction of the need for fiat conversions and third-party off-ramps, which often add cost and delays to transactions.

QWhat does the data from BVNK's research report reveal about stablecoin user behavior?

AThe report found that 56% of stablecoin users plan to acquire more stablecoins over the next 12 months, and more than half increased their holdings over the past year.

QWhat is the current total market capitalization of stablecoins mentioned in the article?

AThe total market capitalization of stablecoins is holding above $307 billion.

QWhat does the move to enable direct stablecoin spending signify about the evolution of digital assets?

AIt underscores how digital assets are evolving from speculative instruments into practical payment tools for real-world use.

Related Reads

Google Cracks Down on 'AI Poisoning'

Google has taken a strong stance against "AI poisoning," a new form of manipulation where advertisers subtly feed information to influence AI-generated answers like those in Google's AI Overview. Unlike traditional SEO, which aims for higher website rankings, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) seeks to have a brand or product recommended within the AI's response itself. This is particularly valuable as AI summaries, often perceived as neutral and comprehensive, can shorten the consumer decision path and directly influence purchases. The article illustrates the issue with a "hot dog experiment," where fabricated content was quickly picked up and presented as fact by AI. GEO exploitation is potent because AI models aggregate information from various sources—reviews, articles, forums—and can mistake coordinated marketing campaigns for genuine consensus. This threatens the core credibility of search engines. While Google's updated spam policy now explicitly covers attempts to manipulate AI-generated content, enforcement faces challenges. Google can leverage its long experience fighting SEO spam, using penalties like ranking demotion. However, sophisticated "gray area" tactics, such as sponsored third-party reviews or industry reports, are harder to distinguish from legitimate promotion. Other AI players, like Microsoft, have taken a more open approach to GEO, viewing it as a new channel for brands. Ultimately, as AI becomes a primary information source, maintaining the trustworthiness of its answers is a critical challenge for all platforms.

marsbit13m ago

Google Cracks Down on 'AI Poisoning'

marsbit13m ago

When Futu Turns into a Matchmaking Corner: Overseas Identity Becomes the Hard Currency for the Middle Class

When Futu Becomes a Matchmaking Corner: Overseas Status as the New Hard Currency for China's Middle Class Following a severe penalty announcement from Chinese regulators on May 22nd targeting offshore brokerages like Futu, its app community unexpectedly transformed into an impromptu matchmaking platform. Users posted相亲 (matchmaking) requests, explicitly seeking partners with overseas residency or citizenship, revealing a stark new reality: for China's middle class, an overseas identity has become a crucial asset. The regulatory crackdown, which restricts mainland Chinese residents from opening new accounts to buy overseas securities like US stocks, has sharply escalated the value of a foreign passport or permanent residency. This status now acts as a gateway to global asset allocation—including US equities, offshore property, and foreign currency deposits—effectively becoming a new form of "hard currency." Its scarcity, non-transferability (except through marriage, inheritance, etc.), and role as a hedge against domestic uncertainty have driven its premium. The article traces the evolution of how China's middle class views overseas resources: from an investment for opportunity (2000s), to risk diversification (2010s), and now to a mandatory "insurance policy" for financial access. With the regulatory window closing for many, the demand is shifting towards securing such status for the next generation through international education. The surreal scene of high-performing investors posting dating resumes underscores a 2026 where financial talent can be secondary to the right passport.

marsbit1h ago

When Futu Turns into a Matchmaking Corner: Overseas Identity Becomes the Hard Currency for the Middle Class

marsbit1h ago

Understanding Bound in One Article: The "Multi-signature + Timelock" Escape Mechanism and the Off-Chain Matching Black Box

**Title**: Understanding Bound: The Escape Mechanism of "Multi-Sig + Time Lock" and the Off-Chain Matching Black Box **Summary**: Bound Exchange, evolved from the earlier radFi platform, introduces a novel approach to Bitcoin trading by combining self-custody security with exchange-like speed. Its core mechanism relies on a 2-of-2 multi-signature (multi-sig) address for user deposits. One private key is held by the user via a passkey, and the other is held by Bound. This setup requires both keys to sign any transaction, preventing Bound from unilaterally accessing user funds (non-custodial). To address the risk of Bound becoming unavailable, a 3-month timelock is integrated into the Bitcoin script. After this period, users can withdraw their assets with just their single signature, ensuring an escape hatch. For trading, Bound operates a concentrated liquidity AMM. However, as Bitcoin L1 lacks smart contracts, the AMM curve, liquidity management, and trade price calculations occur off-chain in Bound's backend database. On-chain Bitcoin transactions serve only as final settlement receipts for pre-determined amounts. This creates a centralization point: the critical sequence of trade execution—which determines the exact price along the curve for each order—is managed off-chain by Bound in a non-transparent "black box." While the 2-of-2 setup protects user本金 (principal), the pricing and ordering of trades introduce potential operational MEV risks, as the order processing is invisible and unverifiable on-chain. In practice, users can also connect external wallets (like Unisat) for fully self-custodied trading, but this requires manually signing every transaction. The platform currently supports deposits of BTC and Runes only.

marsbit1h ago

Understanding Bound in One Article: The "Multi-signature + Timelock" Escape Mechanism and the Off-Chain Matching Black Box

marsbit1h ago

Technology Has No Barriers, 24/7 Trading is the Key to Hyperliquid's Success

The article argues that Hyperliquid's competitive edge lies not in technological superiority but in its 24/7 trading model, which fundamentally challenges traditional finance's fixed market hours. Based in Singapore with an 11-person team, Hyperliquid has generated significant revenue and trading volume. Its core advantage is the ability to facilitate trading continuously, including during weekends when major exchanges like the CME are closed. This was demonstrated when Hyperliquid listed a SpaceX pre-IPO perpetual contract on a Sunday, allowing the market to price the company hours before traditional institutions opened. This disruption has drawn regulatory scrutiny from traditional giants like CME and ICE, who cite risks like lack of KYC and market manipulation. However, the article suggests their concern stems from Hyperliquid eroding the "time monopoly" of established markets. The piece contrasts Hyperliquid's synthetic derivatives—pure price-betting contracts with no underlying asset or centralized issuer—with other models like PreStocks (dependent on real股权) and Ondo (licensed but targetable). Hyperliquid's code-based, decentralized structure makes it resilient to takedowns, even if founders face legal action. Ultimately, the author concludes that while it raises legitimate regulatory questions, Hyperliquid's "unforgeable" competitive barrier is the time advantage of non-stop trading, a feature legacy systems cannot replicate.

marsbit1h ago

Technology Has No Barriers, 24/7 Trading is the Key to Hyperliquid's Success

marsbit1h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

How to Buy XDC

Welcome to HTX.com! We've made purchasing XDC Network (XDC) simple and convenient. Follow our step-by-step guide to embark on your crypto journey.Step 1: Create Your HTX AccountUse your email or phone number to sign up for a free account on HTX. Experience a hassle-free registration journey and unlock all features.Get My AccountStep 2: Go to Buy Crypto and Choose Your Payment MethodCredit/Debit Card: Use your Visa or Mastercard to buy XDC Network (XDC) instantly.Balance: Use funds from your HTX account balance to trade seamlessly.Third Parties: We've added popular payment methods such as Google Pay and Apple Pay to enhance convenience.P2P: Trade directly with other users on HTX.Over-the-Counter (OTC): We offer tailor-made services and competitive exchange rates for traders.Step 3: Store Your XDC Network (XDC)After purchasing your XDC Network (XDC), store it in your HTX account. Alternatively, you can send it elsewhere via blockchain transfer or use it to trade other cryptocurrencies.Step 4: Trade XDC Network (XDC)Easily trade XDC Network (XDC) on HTX's spot market. Simply access your account, select your trading pair, execute your trades, and monitor in real-time. We offer a user-friendly experience for both beginners and seasoned traders.

5.4k Total ViewsPublished 2024.03.29Updated 2025.06.04

How to Buy XDC

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of XDC (XDC) are presented below.

活动图片