Circle has expanded its Gateway cross-chain balance service to include cirBTC, a wrapped Bitcoin token, and EURC, a euro stablecoin. The October 23 announcement gives developers a unified interface for managing three different assets across multiple blockchain networks.
Network Coverage Varies by Asset
The expansion offers different network availability depending on the asset. Circle's documentation lists cirBTC on Arc and Ethereum, while EURC is supported on Arc, Avalanche, Base, Ethereum, Solana, and World Chain. Token availability on a network does not automatically mean that network functions as a Gateway route.
Each asset maintains a separate balance. Depositing EURC creates access to that stablecoin across its supported networks but does not fund cirBTC withdrawals or convert euros to dollars. Applications requiring different assets must still execute separate exchange operations.
Timing and Access Conditions
Circle advertises cross-chain access in less than 500 milliseconds once a balance is established. This speed claim applies only after deposits reach finality on their source network. First-time deposits involve additional timing considerations beyond the advertised transfer speed.
Gateway holds deposits in noncustodial GatewayWallet escrow contracts. An authorized request allows the same asset to be minted on a supported destination chain. Circle also provides a withdrawal option without API dependence, though this route carries a seven-day delay.
Nanopayments and Fee Structure
The new assets integrate with Circle's Nanopayments system, which batches off-chain payments for settlement. Nanopayments using assets other than USDC are limited to Ethereum Virtual Machine networks. EURC's availability on Solana through Gateway does not extend to Solana-based EURC Nanopayments.
Circle is waiving Gateway fees for cirBTC and EURC on Arc at launch. Developers must evaluate the full transaction path, including deposits, withdrawals, and batch settlement. Fee waivers for individual payments do not eliminate costs associated with batching or smart contract interactions.
