Moving USDC to and from Stacks just got a major upgrade. Allbridge Core, one of the most widely used cross-chain bridges, now supports USDCx, bringing Circle-standard USDC on Stacks into its main bridging platform with connectivity to USDT markets and all CCTP-connected chains.

This is a meaningful step forward for Bitcoin DeFi liquidity and for anyone participating in the Stacks ecosystem.

What's Changing

Until recently, the main ways to get USDC on Stacks were 1) bridging from Ethereum or 2) migrating from aeUSDC using Allbridge Classic, the legacy bridge for USDC on Stacks. Classic served its purpose, but it came with limitations: fewer supported chains, a less polished user experience, and a token that didn't plug into Circle's broader infrastructure.

In December 2025, the USDCx Stacks bridge went live, supporting transfers from USDC on Ethereum, to USDCx on Stacks. While this was a big upgrade, there still wasn’t an easy way to move USDCx cross-chain. In short, Stacks still needed infrastructure to fully support the cross-chain interoperability of USDCx. 

That changes now. Allbridge Core now fully supports USDCx on Stacks, that’s the same Circle-standard USDC used across Ethereum, Solana, Arbitrum, and beyond. That means a smoother bridging experience, broader chain connectivity, and an asset that's fully recognized across Circle's ecosystem.

Allbridge Classic will be sunsetting in a few months. New aeUSDC mints have already been disabled, and Classic is scheduled to shut down by the end of April. aeUSDC holders should migrate at their earliest convenience.

Why This Matters for Bitcoin DeFi

Stacks is the leading smart contract layer for Bitcoin, and stablecoin liquidity is one of the most important ingredients for a thriving DeFi ecosystem. The Allbridge Core integration moves the needle on a few fronts.

It removes friction. Bridging USDC to Stacks through Allbridge Core is faster and more intuitive than the Classic experience, with access to a much wider network of chains including Solana and Arbitrum.

It deepens connectivity. Through Allbridge Core, Stacks now connects to USDT liquidity pools and the full set of CCTP-connected chains, meaning capital can flow more freely between Bitcoin DeFi on Stacks and the broader multi-chain ecosystem.

It puts your USDC to work immediately. Allbridge Core gives USDCx holders from any supported chain a direct path into Bitflow's concentrated liquidity pools the moment they land on Stacks. Bridge your USDC, then swap or LP to start earning yield right away. Current 7-day APRs on Bitflow's HODLMM pools give a sense of what's available:

• sBTC/USDCx: 17.1%
• STX/USDCx: 6.5%

It signals maturity. When a major bridge like Allbridge integrates Circle-standard USDC for your ecosystem, it sends a message to builders, liquidity providers, and users alike. The Allbridge team has been clear about their interest in the Bitcoin DeFi opportunity on Stacks, and this integration reflects that conviction.

Migrating from aeUSDC to USDCx

With Classic winding down, now is the time to move from aeUSDC to USDCx. Here's what to do depending on your situation.

• If you're holding aeUSDC: Swap it for USDCx through the migration pools on Bitflow (we recommend the HODLMM pool), or bridge directly through Allbridge Core.
• If you have outstanding aeUSDC loans on Zest or Granite: There's currently around $2M in open aeUSDC loans across these platforms. 
  
  • To migrate, repay your existing loan and open a new position using USDCx. 
  • If you don't have the stables on hand to repay, the Zest team recommends taking out a USDCx loan on Zest v2 and using that to close out your aeUSDC position.

Timeline: Allbridge Classic is winding down at the end of April. Migrating now ensures you're on the current standard and won't face any disruption when Classic goes offline.

What Comes Next

With USDCx on Allbridge Core, Stacks is better positioned to attract new users and capital into Bitcoin DeFi. Expect more on-ramps, deeper partnerships, and more ways to put stablecoins to work on the network.

In the meantime, bridge USDCx to Stacks through Allbridge Core, explore the migration pools on Bitflow, and stay tuned for upcoming guides and community calls.

For step-by-step help migrating from aeUSDC to USDCx, watch this migration tutorial video.