Cardano is set to gain direct access to native USDC liquidity for the first time through an integration between Apex Fusion and Stargate, the omnichain liquidity transport protocol built on LayerZero.
The partnership, announced on Tuesday, allows USDC to move seamlessly across chains without wrapped assets, enabling stablecoin access for both Apex Fusion’s VECTOR (Cardano execution layer) and NEXUS (EVM Layer 2) networks.
The move addresses a gap in Cardano’s decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure by providing developers and liquidity providers with a unified bridge for stablecoin transfers.
Apex Fusion said it has committed $2.5 million in initial USDC liquidity to support the launch, creating a base for Cardano projects seeking stablecoin-enabled DeFi applications such as lending, trading, and payments.
“This is a major milestone not just for Apex Fusion, but for the Cardano ecosystem as a whole,” said Christopher Greenwood, COO of Apex Fusion Foundation.
“Stablecoin liquidity has been one of the most requested features by Cardano projects, and this integration directly answers that call. Through Stargate, we’re unlocking USDC access for the first time on VECTOR and NEXUS,” he added.
Stargate’s product lead, Angus Lamp, said the collaboration demonstrates how interoperability can enhance stable asset movement across ecosystems.
“Connecting USDC to Cardano through Apex Fusion’s VECTOR and NEXUS chains shows how cross-chain technology can transform liquidity flows,” he said.
The integration allows instant USDC transfers from major blockchain networks using Stargate’s infrastructure, linking Cardano’s UTxO model with EVM-based ecosystems. It also gives developers the ability to build stablecoin-based DeFi products natively on Apex Fusion.
The initiative marks the first time native USDC liquidity has been extended to Cardano-based projects through a Stargate-powered route, signaling a step toward greater cross-chain composability in one of crypto’s largest ecosystems.