Hecto Financial Integrates with Circle Payments Network to Enable Stablecoin-Based Payments

Rhea-AI Summary

Hecto Financial announced integration with Circle Payments Network to enable cross-border settlement using regulated stablecoins such as USDC. The move aims to streamline overseas remittance and settlement in line with South Korean regulations, support B2B payments, remittances, and treasury flows, and extend KRW-based digital payment reach globally.

The integration follows Hecto's participation in Circle's October 2025 Arc public testnet and emphasizes faster, programmable, near-instant settlement for enterprise clients and platform partners.

Key Figures

Announcement date: Feb. 3, 2026 Arc testnet participants: over 100 institutions

2 metrics

Announcement date Feb. 3, 2026 Integration of Hecto Financial with Circle Payments Network

Arc testnet participants over 100 institutions Hecto joined public testnet of Arc in October 2025

Market Reality Check

Price: $56.16 Vol: Volume 14,254,116 is 37% ...

normal vol

$56.16 Last Close

Volume Volume 14,254,116 is 37% above the 20-day average of 10,432,814, indicating elevated trading ahead of this news. normal

Technical Shares at $58.86 are at the 52-week low and trading well below the $105.54 200-day MA, reflecting a pressured longer-term trend.

Peers on Argus

CRCL fell 7.93% while key peers like LPLA (+3.83%), TW (+0.30%), and NMR (+0.70%...

CRCL fell 7.93% while key peers like LPLA (+3.83%), TW (+0.30%), and NMR (+0.70%) were up modestly and FUTU was slightly down (-0.33%), pointing to a stock-specific move rather than a broad capital-markets selloff.

Previous Crypto Reports

5 past events · Latest: Jan 13 (Positive)

Same Type Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 13	Crypto infrastructure report	Positive	+0.7%	2026 infrastructure report detailing USDC, EURC, USYC, Arc, and CPN scale.
Dec 18	Crypto partnership	Positive	+2.3%	Multi-year USDC integration partnership with Intuit across major financial apps.
Oct 28	Brand/culture partnership	Positive	-3.2%	Appointment of Wyclef Jean as Global Culture Advisor to spotlight USDC use.
Sep 17	Exchange partnership	Positive	-2.8%	Strategic partnership with Kraken to expand USDC and EURC liquidity and access.
Sep 9	Institutional partnership	Positive	+4.9%	Collaboration with Fireblocks to accelerate stablecoin adoption for institutions.

Pattern Detected

Crypto/stablecoin partnership news has produced mixed outcomes, with both positive and negative one-day moves despite consistently positive-sounding announcements.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, CRCL has repeatedly highlighted its crypto and stablecoin infrastructure strategy. Prior crypto-tagged releases covered ecosystem reports, new strategic partnerships with Fireblocks, Kraken, and Intuit, and a culture-focused collaboration with Wyclef Jean, often emphasizing USDC, EURC, and Circle Payments Network integrations. Market reactions to these crypto updates varied, with some gaining over 4% and others declining more than 2%. Today’s Hecto Financial integration fits this pattern of expanding CPN-based cross-border payments within the same strategic theme.

Historical Comparison

crypto

+2.8 %

Average Historical Move

Historical Analysis

Past crypto-tagged CRCL news produced an average one-day move of 2.77%. Today’s -7.93% move on another CPN-focused integration sits at the negative end of recent crypto-related reactions.

Typical Pattern

Crypto-tagged releases show a progression from infrastructure and ecosystem reports to multiple exchange, fintech, and institutional integrations using USDC, EURC, Arc, and CPN. The Hecto Financial integration extends this path by adding a regulated Korean payments provider aiming at cross-border remittances over CPN, building on earlier Arc testnet participation and prior CPN-related collaborations.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement extends Circle’s strategy of embedding USDC and Circle Payments Network into globa...

Analysis

This announcement extends Circle’s strategy of embedding USDC and Circle Payments Network into global financial infrastructure, adding a regulated Korean provider focused on cross-border payments and remittances. It follows earlier crypto-tagged milestones involving exchanges, fintechs, and institutional platforms, as well as prior participation in the Arc testnet with 100+ institutions. Going forward, investors may watch for concrete volume metrics, new enterprise integrations, and regulatory developments that demonstrate real-world adoption.

Key Terms

stablecoins, usdc, circle payments network, layer-1 blockchain, +1 more

5 terms

stablecoins financial

"cross-border payments using regulated stablecoins such as USDC."

Stablecoins are a type of digital currency designed to maintain a steady value, often linked to traditional currencies like the dollar or euro. They function like digital cash that offers the convenience of online transactions while avoiding the large price swings common with other cryptocurrencies. This stability makes them useful for investors and users who want a reliable way to store and transfer value without exposure to sudden market changes.

usdc financial

"cross-border payments using regulated stablecoins such as USDC."

USDC is a digital token designed to hold the same value as one U.S. dollar, acting like a digital dollar you can use on the internet. Investors care because it provides a quick, low-cost way to move and store value, reduce price swings common in cryptocurrencies, and park cash in trading or payments without converting to traditional bank deposits, though its safety depends on how and where the backing dollars are held.

circle payments network technical

"announced today its integration with Circle Payments Network (CPN)."

A circle payments network is a system that allows users to send and receive money quickly and securely through digital connections. It functions like an electronic handshake, enabling seamless transactions between friends, businesses, or other parties without the need for cash or physical cards. This type of network matters to investors because it can facilitate faster, more efficient financial exchanges, potentially expanding access to digital payments and shaping the future of money movement.

layer-1 blockchain technical

"Arc, Circle's enterprise-grade layer-1 blockchain designed as the Economic"

A layer-1 blockchain is the base network that records and finalizes transactions and enforces rules for a digital ledger, acting like the operating system or road network for all activity built on top of it. It matters to investors because its speed, security, transaction costs and ability to host applications directly affect user adoption and the value of tokens or services that rely on that network; stronger, more scalable base layers tend to attract more activity and investment.

programmable money movement technical

"CPN, Hecto enables programmable money movement that aligns with the"

Programmable money movement is the ability to set automated rules that move cash or digital assets when specific conditions are met — like a digital instruction that pays a supplier when goods arrive or releases funds after a milestone is verified. For investors, it matters because it can speed up cash flows, reduce manual errors and fraud, enable new business models and revenue streams, and change how companies manage liquidity and risk much like replacing a paper form with a smart, self-executing app.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hecto Financial, a regulated financial services provider in South Korea, announced today its integration with Circle Payments Network (CPN). The integration provides Hecto Financial with access to a global settlement infrastructure for cross-border payments using regulated stablecoins such as USDC.

Moving forward, Hecto Financial plans to streamline overseas remittance and settlement procedures through CPN, in alignment with domestic regulatory standards in South Korea, to provide faster and more secure cross-border payment services to both domestic and international customers.

Operated by Circle Technology Services, LLC, an affiliate of Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: CRCL), CPN connects financial institutions, payment providers, and fintechs to facilitate programmable, always-on settlement using stablecoins such as USDC and EURC. The network is designed to unify traditional and blockchain-based payment systems while eliminating intermediaries and supporting real-time settlement.

Through CPN, Hecto Financial aims to enhance the speed, efficiency, and global reach of its cross-border payment services for enterprise clients and platform partners. Supported use cases include B2B payments, remittances, and treasury flows.

"As financial infrastructure evolves, we see an opportunity to offer clients new ways to move value quickly across borders in a compliant manner," said Jong-won Choi, CEO of Hecto Financial. "In line with the global shift toward stablecoin-centered financial infrastructure, Hecto Financial aims to help establish a foundation for the KRW-based digital payment ecosystem to expand into global markets and contribute to enhancing the international standing of the Korean Won."

"Hecto Financial's integration with Circle Payments Network supports the delivery of near-instant cross-border payments across key global corridors," said Irfan Ganchi, SVP of Product Management, Payments at Circle. "By connecting to CPN, Hecto enables programmable money movement that aligns with the demands of today's digital economy."

This integration builds on Hecto Financial's participation in the October 2025 public testnet of Arc, Circle's enterprise-grade layer-1 blockchain designed as the Economic Operating System (OS) for the internet, where it joined over 100 institutions in validating early infrastructure use cases.

About Hecto Financial

Hecto Financial (KOSDAQ: 234340) is a leading, regulated financial services provider in South Korea, offering a comprehensive suite of integrated payment solutions and financial infrastructure. The company specializes in virtual accounts, automated settlement systems, and innovative cross-border payment services. Leveraging its robust domestic network and advanced technological capabilities, Hecto Financial is at the forefront of modernizing financial services by bridging traditional banking systems with digital assets and blockchain-based settlement networks. The company is committed to delivering secure, compliant, and efficient financial tools for enterprise clients and platform partners globally.

About Circle Payments Network

Circle Technology Services, LLC (CTS) is the operator of Circle Payments Network (CPN) and offers products and services to financial institutions that participate in CPN to facilitate their CPN access and integration. CPN connects participating financial institutions around the world, with CTS serving as the technology service provider to participating financial institutions. While CTS does not hold funds or manage accounts on behalf of customers, we enable the global ecosystem of participating financial institutions to connect directly with each other, communicate securely, and settle directly with each other. CTS is not a party to transactions between participating financial institutions facilitated by CPN who use CPN to execute transactions at their own risk. Use of CPN is subject to the CPN Rules and the CPN Participation Agreement between CTS and a participating financial institution.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hecto-financial-integrates-with-circle-payments-network-to-enable-stablecoin-based-payments-302676892.html

SOURCE Hecto Financial

FAQ

What does Hecto Financial's February 3, 2026 integration with Circle Payments Network mean for CRCL shareholders?

It signals expanded stablecoin settlement reach that may broaden payment corridors and product offerings for Hecto Financial. According to Hecto Financial, the integration enables access to Circle's global settlement infrastructure using regulated stablecoins such as USDC, aimed at faster cross-border B2B and remittance services.

How will the Circle Payments Network integration change Hecto Financial's cross-border payment speed and scope?

Hecto expects near-instant, programmable settlement to speed cross-border transfers and broaden global corridors. According to Hecto Financial, connecting to CPN supports real-time settlement and reduces intermediaries for enterprise clients, remittances, and treasury flows while aligning with domestic regulatory standards.

Does Hecto Financial's use of USDC via CPN affect compliance with South Korean regulations for CRCL-related services?

Hecto says the integration aligns with South Korean regulatory standards for digital payments and remittances. According to Hecto Financial, the company will streamline overseas remittance and settlement procedures through CPN in a compliant manner to serve domestic and international customers.

What use cases did Hecto Financial highlight for the Circle Payments Network integration on Feb 3, 2026?

Hecto identified B2B payments, remittances, and treasury flows as primary use cases for the integration. According to Hecto Financial, CPN connectivity aims to enhance efficiency and global reach for enterprise clients and platform partners using regulated stablecoins like USDC.

How does the February 3, 2026 integration relate to Hecto Financial's participation in Circle's October 2025 Arc testnet?

The integration builds on Hecto's earlier testnet involvement validating infrastructure use cases with Arc. According to Hecto Financial, participation in the October 2025 public testnet helped validate early infrastructure use cases and informed the decision to connect to Circle Payments Network.