Sei, a high-performance Layer-1 blockchain recognized for its speed and suitability in powering digital asset markets, is poised for a significant evolution with the introduction of native USDC support and an upcoming major upgrade named Giga. With full Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility already in place, Sei enables developers to build decentralized applications using familiar Ethereum-based tools, simplifying onboarding for Web3 builders. The Giga upgrade is expected to further improve the network’s throughput and efficiency, reinforcing Sei’s ambition to become a central player in the decentralized finance (DeFi) space.
The addition of native USDC, one of the most trusted and regulated stablecoins in the crypto ecosystem, represents a strategic milestone for the Sei blockchain. This integration reflects an ongoing effort to enhance the blockchain’s utility and accessibility, particularly for institutions and developers looking for reliable stablecoin infrastructure within scalable networks.
Strong Growth in TVL and App Ecosystem
As per data provided by DeFiLlama, Sei’s Total Value Locked (TVL) has seen a sharp increase of more than 188% in 2025 alone. From a TVL of $208 million at the start of the year, the figure surged past $600 million by July 10. This growth trajectory is supported by an expanding application layer, with more than 200 live decentralized apps (dApps) now operating on the Sei network. The blockchain continues to attract an active and growing developer community, positioning itself as a competitive alternative to other L1 chains in the market.
Previously, users could access USDC on Sei through a version labeled USDC.n, which relied on Noble and the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol. While this option remains functional for now, Circle and the Sei Development Foundation are collaboratively planning a phased migration to shift liquidity toward the native USDC issuance on Sei. The migration initiative aims to consolidate liquidity and reduce inefficiencies for both users and developers.
Regulatory Clarity and Institutional Features
The newly integrated native USDC on Sei is issued by Circle under U.S. regulatory frameworks and is fully backed and redeemable on a 1:1 basis with U.S. dollars. For institutional participants, the integration offers streamlined access through services like Circle Mint, thereby facilitating easier entry and exit points for high-volume financial activity. Developers also stand to benefit, as native USDC enables more seamless integration within dApps and provides improved performance over bridged versions of the stablecoin.
Native @USDC and CCTP V2 are coming to @SeiNetwork, bringing the world’s largest regulated stablecoin and frictionless crosschain transfers to Sei’s high performance Layer-1 blockchain.
What native USDC brings:
✅ Regulated, fully reserved and redeemable 1:1 for US dollars
✅… pic.twitter.com/R2xgP9guKx— Circle (@circle) July 10, 2025
Enhancements from Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol version 2 (CCTP V2) add further value to this ecosystem upgrade. This protocol supports native USDC transfers across 13 different blockchains, enabling a total of 156 inter-chain routing possibilities. The technology is geared toward creating smooth onboarding experiences, in-app swaps, and efficient treasury operations without the complications of wrapping or bridging assets through third-party solutions, which often introduce security risks.
Today, we introduced Circle Gateway, a new developer service that enables a unified USDC balance for instant crosschain liquidity.
Coming soon to @avax, @base, and @ethereum testnets in July. pic.twitter.com/6wU9ESylvn
— USDC (@USDC) July 1, 2025
Introducing Circle Gateway for Unified Crosschain Liquidity
Circle is also launching Circle Gateway, a new infrastructure layer tailored for developers working in multi-chain environments. This service will allow developers to manage a single USDC balance across multiple blockchains and instantly access liquidity across them. By removing the need for manual token bridging or separate balance management per chain, Gateway is expected to significantly simplify the development of cross-chain dApps and services.
The Gateway service is scheduled to be released on testnets for Avalanche, Base, and Ethereum later in July, and it represents a concrete step toward achieving frictionless multi-chain user experiences. This move reflects Circle’s broader mission to offer scalable, user-friendly financial infrastructure that matches the evolving demands of the decentralized ecosystem.
Through this native integration and accompanying infrastructure enhancements, Sei and Circle are positioning themselves at the forefront of scalable and secure cross-chain finance, reinforcing confidence in stablecoin-powered innovation within the broader blockchain industry.