Circle Internet Financial, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, has seen its newly listed stock, CRCL, gain 5% on Tuesday after reporting robust revenue figures in the second quarter of the year following its initial public offering (IPO). USDC Circulation Soars 90% Year-Over-Year The uptick in Circle’s CRCL stock toward the $164 mark on Tuesday, comes on the heels of the recently passed GENIUS Act in both Congress and House of Representatives, which has spurred increased attention towards stablecoins and their applications in the financial market. According to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jeremy Fox-Geen, the company is witnessing a surge in institutional interest, stating, “After our IPO and the Genius Act, we’re seeing an acceleration of interest, with major institutions all leaning in.” Related Reading: Bitcoin 4-Year Rhythm Fades Out As Fresh Market Forces Emerge: Expert Three weeks ago, President Donald Trump signed the country’s first crypto bill into law. The bill aims to establish a new regulatory framework for dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies. As a result, major companies and US banks have shown increased interest in these assets, potentially including them in their financial operations, which could significantly improve, given the low cost and speed of stablecoin transactions. As of June 30, the amount of USDC in circulation had skyrocketed by 90% compared to the same time last year, and Circle anticipates sustained growth at a compounded annual rate of 40%. The USDC stablecoin is also gaining traction not only for its use in digital transactions but also for cross-border remittances between individuals and businesses, as noted by CEO Jeremy Allaire. Circle Reports 53% Revenue Growth Circle reported a significant year-over-year revenue increase of 53%, reaching $658 million. According to Reuters, this growth was largely driven by increased interest income generated from the cash reserves and short-term investments backing its USDC stablecoins. Additionally, revenue from subscription and service offerings from the stablecoin issuer’s platform also saw an uptick, surpassing analysts’ expectations of $644.7 million, as compiled by LSEG. However, the company did report a net loss of $482 million, primarily attributed to non-cash charges associated with its initial public offering. Related Reading: Market Expert Says Sell All Ethereum By October, Here’s Why Circle also announced plans to launch Arc, a public blockchain specifically designed for stablecoin transactions, this fall, as part of the firm’s strategy to develop the technological infrastructure necessary for digital payments. David Bartosiak, a stock strategist at Zacks Investment Research, commented on Circle’s goals, stating, “They’re really trying to become the pillar of stablecoins in the US” He emphasized that the company’s established reputation positions it as a trusted player in this emerging market. Despite the rise in its stock price, CEO Allaire indicated that Circle is taking a cautious approach regarding acquisitions. “We’re careful and deliberate. I don’t think our strategy here is to go try and do big, complex acquisitions to throw additional business lines,” he remarked. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Shares of Circle Internet Group, the issuer of the market’s second-largest stablecoin, USDC, experienced a remarkable surge on Thursday, skyrocketing 168% as the company made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Circle’s IPO Exceeds Expectations Circle’s stock opened at $69, well above its IPO pricing of $31. Throughout the day, the shares reached a peak of $103.75, showcasing strong investor enthusiasm. The IPO was priced late Wednesday, exceeding the anticipated range of $27 to $28, and substantially outpacing an earlier range of $24 to $26. This pricing strategy valued the company at approximately $6.8 billion before trading commenced. Related Reading: Messari Flags XRP’s Silent Rise As A Treasury Favorite—Here’s Why By the end of the trading session, Circle’s trading volume reached about 46 million shares, far surpassing the number of freely floating shares available. This impressive performance positions Circle alongside other cryptocurrency firms like Coinbase, Mara Holdings, and Riot Platforms as a notable player in the US market. CEO Jeremy Allaire emphasized the importance of building relationships with governments and policymakers, stating, “To realize our vision, we needed to forge relationships with governments… it’s got to work in mainstream society and you need to have those rules of the road.” Allaire highlighted Circle’s commitment to compliance and transparency, which he believes has contributed to the company’s success in a challenging regulatory environment. Could Higher Prices Follow For Future Listings? The strong debut of Circle’s IPO could signal a shift in how institutional investors approach upcoming listings, potentially leading to higher initial public offering prices for future offerings. Notable companies preparing for IPOs include Omada Health, which is pricing on Thursday, and Klarna, a fintech firm set to list next week. While Circle’s IPO share price initially set its market value at $6.1 billion—below its last private market valuation of $7.7 billion from 2021—Thursday’s trading surge adjusted that figure. Related Reading: Crypto Analyst Warns: This Bitcoin Bull Cycle Looks Nothing Like 2017 or 2021 By the close of trading, Circle’s market capitalization, excluding employee options, stood at an impressive $16.7 billion. The company successfully raised approximately $1.1 billion through the offering. Circle’s journey to this point has been marked by challenges, including its previous attempt to go public. Circle’s previous attempt to go public via a merger was with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), which collapsed in late 2022 due to regulatory hurdles. The company’s largest outside shareholders include General Catalyst and IDG Capital, holding approximately 8.9% and 8.8% of all stock, respectively. Other significant backers such as Accel, Breyer Capital, and Oak Investment Partners continue to support Circle’s vision in the evolving crypto marketplace. Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
Circle chief executive officer, Jeremy Allaire has confirmed that the stablecoin issuing company remains committed to launching an initial public offering (IPO). Interestingly, these comments have come amidst a controversial report on Circle’s biggest competitor Tether. Related Reading: Tether Proposes Bold Plan: Boron-Backed Tokens For Turkey’s Market—Here’s Why Circle Financial Standing Strong, No Need For […]