Circle added its Bitcoin-backed token, cirBTC, to Gateway on October 23, enabling holders to use a single deposited balance across Ethereum and Arc blockchains. The integration treats deposits across supported networks as one spendable balance per asset, reducing the need to maintain separate funds on each chain.
The expansion also brings the EURC stablecoin to Gateway alongside USDC. cirBTC is now supported on Ethereum and Arc mainnet, while EURC is available on those networks plus Avalanche, Base, Solana, and World Chain.
How Transfers Work
When cirBTC moves between networks through Gateway, the token is burned on the source blockchain and minted on the destination. This process neither converts the balance into USDC nor transfers native Bitcoin directly. For exchanges or wallets operating on both chains, the shared inventory can be deployed wherever a withdrawal or payment is needed.
Speed and Exit Options
Circle advertises cross-chain access in under 500 milliseconds once a deposit has finalized, though this estimate excludes the initial funding period and is not guaranteed. Processing an Ethereum deposit typically takes approximately 13 to 19 minutes on average before Gateway updates the balance.
A separate seven-day withdrawal option allows holders to reclaim funds directly from the Gateway Wallet contract without relying on Circle's API. This functions as a fallback exit route rather than the standard transfer timeline between the two blockchains.
Access and Backing
Gateway integration is permissionless and requires no sign-up. However, access to cirBTC through Circle Mint is limited to qualified businesses. Circle states that cirBTC is backed one-for-one by native Bitcoin held at a regulated entity within its corporate group, with the BTC segregated from corporate assets.
Fees
Gateway fees for cirBTC and EURC are waived on Arc at launch. Outside Arc, Circle charges a one-basis-point rate. These fees do not represent all-in transfer costs, as Circle's documentation also lists gas and optional forwarding charges. cirBTC transfer costs are paid in cirBTC.
