Fintech company Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, has unveiled a new feature allowing contactless payments with USDC on iPhones. This advancement comes in response to Apple’s decision to open its near-field communication (NFC) chip to third-party developers, creating new possibilities for integrating cryptocurrency into Apple’s ecosystem.
Previously, NFC capabilities on iPhones were restricted to Apple Wallet and Apple Pay, limiting opportunities for developers to innovate with contactless payment technologies. Apple’s recent move to grant broader access to its NFC chip and Secure Element (SE) technology represents a significant shift, enabling point-of-sale systems to interact directly with blockchain-enabled wallets on iPhones.
With this new functionality, users will be able to make USDC payments to NFC-enabled devices—such as payment terminals or other iPhones—with a single touch. This innovation is expected to streamline transactions, making them faster and more convenient by removing the need for QR code scans or manual entry of wallet addresses. Circle has indicated that this feature will not be exclusive to USDC but will also support other digital assets, NFTs, and stablecoins like EURC.
This development marks a significant step in the integration of digital currencies into everyday transactions, enhancing user experience and accessibility in the cryptocurrency space.
