USDC Settlement Pilot Integrates Circle Stablecoin with Colombia Bre-B Network

Circle Internet Group and ACI Worldwide announced on October 27, 2026, a pilot to integrate USDC settlement into Colombia’s Bre-B instant payments network. The project pairs Circle’s stablecoin infrastructure with ACI’s Connetic orchestration platform to allow regulated USDC transfers alongside existing account-to-account and card rails.

Details of the USDC Settlement Pilot

The demonstration focuses on Bre-B, the interoperable instant payments ecosystem operated by Banco de la República. ACI Worldwide built the system’s central components, including the addressing directory, 24/7 clearing and settlement engine, and interoperability services. The pilot uses ACI Connetic to route USDC settlement through the same platform that already handles traditional payment flows, removing the need for banks to replace back-office systems.

Circle chief commercial officer Kash Razzaghi stated that institutions across Latin America are seeking ways to incorporate stablecoins into current operations. ACI executive Craig Ramsey noted that the initiative moves stablecoin use from conceptual testing to practical deployment within established infrastructure. No specific banks, transaction volumes, or implementation timelines were disclosed in the announcement.

The effort is limited to evaluation and demonstration. Bre-B itself will not accept USDC directly during the pilot. Outcomes are intended to guide possible expansion across other Latin American markets, though no further rollout schedule has been released.

Bre-B Growth and Regional Payments Context

Bre-B began operations on October 6, 2025. By March 2026 the network had processed more than 500 million transactions and registered over 100 million payment keys. Later figures through early October 2026 showed 116 million keys, 36 million clients, and more than COP 262 trillion mobilized. The platform already supports round-the-clock settlement between participating institutions.

ACI Connetic is designed to be technology-agnostic, allowing future connections to additional networks or digital-asset providers without altering core bank processes. The pilot therefore tests whether a single orchestration layer can manage both fiat rails and stablecoin settlement in one workflow. This approach aligns with the stated goal of creating a multi-rail environment rather than displacing existing systems.

Financial institutions in the region have previously examined stablecoin options for cross-border and domestic settlement. The Colombia project supplies a concrete example of how USDC can operate inside a live central-bank-operated instant payments framework without requiring new regulatory licenses or major technology replacements.

Next Steps for Stablecoin Infrastructure Integration

Participants expect the pilot results to inform broader Latin America deployment decisions. ACI Worldwide and Circle have indicated that the same technical pattern could apply to other markets that already use ACI infrastructure for real-time payments. No additional countries or specific next-phase dates were named.

The announcement comes as regulators in several jurisdictions continue to clarify rules for stablecoin reserves and redemption. The Colombia test supplies operational data on how regulated USDC can coexist with traditional settlement rails inside an existing national payments network. Banks and payment processors can review the outcomes to assess integration costs and compliance requirements before committing to production use.