The Chief Executive Officer of Circle Jeremy Allaire recently gave a data note of market interest: USDC accounted for nearly 99 per cent of payments initiated by AI. This statement shows that the stabilization currency is moving further from the encryption trade tool to the automated clearing medium between machines.

AI why payments are centralized in USDC

AI Payments by proxy and automated processes are usually more focused on three points: the speed of settlement, the stability of currency values and the minimization of reliance on traditional banking channels. The report cites Allaire ' s claim that USDC is now in an absolute position in this type of scene.

USDC is issued by Circle and is linked to the United States dollar at 1:1. According to the article, its reserve support and compliance attributes make it more suitable for high-frequency, small, automated payment requirements. This is also the main reason why AI gives priority to USDC.

It's not as good as USDT.

In market value terms, USDC still lags behind Tether ' s release of the USDT, which is the second largest dollar-stable currency. However, according to Bernstein, cited in the report as Cintelegraph, USDC ' s adjusted stable currency trade has risen from about 40 per cent in 2025 to over 60 per cent so far in 2026.

This means that while the circulation of USDC is still smaller than that of USDT, its actual payment and transfer use is increasing. For the market, this change is more reflective of the real use of the stable currency than a simple comparison of market value.

  • AI Percentage of payment transactions: close to 99 per cent
  • Supply growth in the last seven days: approximately $2 billion
  • Percentage of transactions in 2026: over 60%

Circle's growth expectations are in line with regulation.

It was also mentioned that Bernstein described recent growth in USDC as “digital dollar re-inflation”. According to the agency, USDC supply increased by approximately $2 billion within seven days, reversing the six-month flat or slowing situation.

Bernstein maintains the Circle Stock "Big Run" rating and gives a target price of $140. According to the article, factors driving this round of growth include the warming of the encrypted market, clearer United States regulatory guidelines, the expansion of monetized capital markets and the introduction of a stable currency for AI payments.

As the digital payment landscape continues to expand, the regulatory authorities are also keeping a constant focus on the stabilization currency. It was reported that USDC could expand its use further if the demand for cross-border and retail payments continued to grow; however, changes in regulatory requirements could also affect the subsequent pattern of stable currency competition.