Bitcoin-backed token now usable across Ethereum and Arc with unified balance
Circle integrated its Bitcoin-backed token cirBTC into Gateway on October 23, enabling holders to maintain a single deposited balance spendable across Ethereum and Arc blockchains without manual transfers between chains.
The integration treats cirBTC deposits across supported networks as a unified balance per asset. “Gateway treats deposits across supported networks as a single spendable balance per asset, reducing the need to keep funds ready on both chains,” Circle said in the announcement.
Cross-chain access occurs within 500 milliseconds after deposit finality, according to Circle’s specification. Ethereum deposits typically confirm in 13 to 19 minutes before Gateway updates the balance. The service requires no sign-up and operates permissionlessly.
Token mechanics and backing
cirBTC transfers work by burning the token on the source network and minting it on the destination. The token does not convert to USDC or transfer native Bitcoin directly. Each asset maintains a separate balance within Gateway.
Circle backs cirBTC on a one-for-one basis with native Bitcoin held at a regulated entity within Circle’s corporate group. The Bitcoin is segregated from Circle’s corporate assets.
Redeeming cirBTC for native Bitcoin uses a separate process through Circle Mint, where Circle burns the token and releases BTC to a Bitcoin address provided by the user.
Pricing and supported networks
Gateway waived fees for cirBTC and EURC transfers on Arc at launch. Outside Arc, Gateway charges a one-basis-point rate on both tokens. Circle’s stablecoin EURC is supported across Ethereum, Arc, Avalanche, Base, Solana, and World Chain.
Access to cirBTC through Circle Mint requires qualified-business credentials. A seven-day withdrawal option serves as a fallback exit route for API-independent recovery, though this is not the ordinary transfer timeframe between Ethereum and Arc.
Circle targets the $10 trillion currency market. The Gateway integration expands the utility of cirBTC by reducing operational friction for users managing Bitcoin-backed holdings across multiple blockchains.
