The fintech world is once again buzzing with intrigue following a significant announcement: Onafriq, Africa’s largest digital payments network, has entered into a partnership with Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin. While this development is notable in its own right, the news has sparked even greater curiosity due to a potentially strategic alignment. Ripple, which has an existing partnership with Onafriq, is also reportedly pursuing an acquisition of Circle. This chain of events— highlighted by crypto commentator Amelie on X—has fueled fresh speculation about whether this convergence of partnerships is more than just a coincidence. BREAKING: ONAFRIQ HAS PARTNERED WITH CIRCLE! RIPPLE ALSO ALREADY PARTNERED WITH ONAFRIQ & NOW RIPPLE MADE AN ACQUISITION ORDER TO CIRCLE? WEIRD COINCIDENCE AGAIN #XRP https://t.co/hKAG7kPFYZ pic.twitter.com/wdVkpl31Vn — 𝓐𝓶𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓮 (@_Crypto_Barbie) May 2, 2025 Onafriq Expands Reach with Circle Onafriq’s new alliance with Circle marks a decisive step in expanding blockchain-powered financial inclusion across the African continent. With Circle’s USDC increasingly being integrated into global payment systems, the partnership promises to accelerate cross-border transaction capabilities, lower remittance costs, and enhance financial connectivity between African markets and the rest of the world. Circle’s collaboration with Onafriq is expected to leverage stablecoin infrastructure to support real-time, dollar-based settlements. This development is especially impactful in regions where access to traditional banking infrastructure is limited and where local currencies often experience high volatility. Ripple’s Established Relationship with Onafriq Ripple’s involvement with Onafriq dates back to late 2023 when the two firms partnered to enable cross-border payments between Africa and markets such as the UK, Gulf nations, and Australia using Ripple’s blockchain-powered liquidity services. This earlier collaboration positioned Onafriq as a critical hub in Ripple’s global payments ecosystem, highlighting its importance in addressing the historically underserved African payments corridor. Ripple’s technology, particularly its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) product, enables efficient value transfer by leveraging XRP as a bridge currency . With Onafriq acting as a payment aggregator with access to 400 million mobile wallets and over 130 banks across 40 African countries, the synergies with Ripple were immediately clear. Acquisition Talks: Ripple and Circle Layered onto these partnerships is the recent revelation that Ripple may be eyeing Circle for acquisition. While reports suggest Ripple’s offer valued Circle at around $5 billion —a figure that aligns with Circle’s current IPO valuation—many have speculated about the strategic intent behind such a move. Circle controls a major share of the regulated stablecoin market via USDC , and any potential acquisition would immediately give Ripple a key role in the global stablecoin infrastructure. If successful, the acquisition could allow Ripple to complement its XRP-based liquidity offerings with dollar-backed stablecoin settlement rails. We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023 The overlap in partnerships—Onafriq with Ripple, Onafriq with Circle, and now Ripple’s potential interest in Circle—has raised eyebrows and prompted speculation about a larger strategic blueprint at play. As Amelie noted in her post, it feels less like a coincidence and more like a convergence with purpose. A New Global Payments Nexus? What emerges is a complex yet compelling picture: three entities—Ripple, Circle, and Onafriq—each bringing unique strengths to the table, now linked through formal partnerships and potential acquisitions. Together, they could be building the foundation for a seamless, inclusive, and interoperable global payments infrastructure—one that spans developed markets and emerging economies alike. This triad of partnerships could prove transformative for cross-border payments, especially in Africa, a continent often left behind in legacy finance but increasingly positioned at the forefront of fintech innovation. As the dust settles on these developments, the industry will be watching closely to see whether Ripple’s acquisition bid materializes—and how the Ripple-Circle-Onafriq dynamic evolves in shaping the next era of blockchain-based finance. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Weird Coincidence? Ripple’s Partner Just Partnered Circle appeared first on Times Tabloid .
