Circle , the company behind the USDC stablecoin , has launched the Circle Payments Network (CPN), a new cross-border payment system designed to compete with Ripple’s XRP-based RippleNet. This move aims to transform how international payments are made by offering faster, cheaper, and more transparent transactions. What Is Circle Payments Network? CPN connects banks, neo-banks, payment providers, and digital wallets to enable real-time settlement of cross-border payments. It uses regulated stablecoins like USDC and EURC to speed up transactions and reduce costs. Traditional cross-border payments often take more than one business day and can cost over 6% in fees. CPN settles payments instantly on blockchain networks such as Ethereum, cutting both time and expense.