Circle’s stock extended its breakout Monday, climbing another 15% and pushing gains to roughly 60% since last week’s fourth-quarter earnings report, as investors rotate into stablecoin-linked equities amid a broader crypto rebound.
Shares of CRCL are now trading around $96, marking a roughly 71% gain over the past month. The rally follows strong quarterly fundamentals: USDC circulation surged 72% year-over-year to $75.3 billion, revenue climbed 77% to $770 million, and transaction volume jumped 247% to $11.9 trillion.
Despite reporting a net loss tied to IPO-related compensation, investors appear focused on growth momentum and expanding market share.
The move comes as broader markets navigate geopolitical tension following a U.S.-led strike on Iran, with oil and gold rising on supply concerns. Bitcoin has steadied near $68,000 after briefly dipping on the news.
In this environment, stablecoin infrastructure plays are attracting attention. Analysts point to a combination of short covering, accelerating USDC adoption, and regulatory clarity under the GENIUS Act as catalysts behind the surge.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency recently outlined implementation steps for the stablecoin-focused legislation, providing greater visibility into how issuers may operate under U.S. oversight. While certain reward structures could face adjustments pending final rules, the broader framework is seen as legitimizing the sector.
Beyond regulatory momentum, some analysts argue the rally reflects a shift in how Circle is perceived. Rather than serving merely as a proxy for crypto market sentiment, the company is increasingly viewed as core digital payments infrastructure — potentially positioned to benefit from the rise of artificial intelligence.
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire has tied the company’s long-term thesis to AI-driven economic expansion, suggesting that autonomous agents transacting on behalf of users and businesses could rely on stablecoins as low-friction settlement rails.
USDC’s year-to-date supply growth has slightly outpaced Tether’s USDT, supported in part by strategic distribution channels and rising on-chain usage. If pending legislation such as the CLARITY Act ultimately reshapes revenue-sharing dynamics between issuers and distributors, some analysts believe Circle’s model could prove comparatively resilient.
Taken together, the rally signals more than a post-earnings bounce. Investors appear to be betting that stablecoins — and the infrastructure behind them — are moving from the periphery of crypto speculation toward the center of digital finance.
Decentralized prediction market leader Polymarket is making a bold move to strengthen the safety and reliability of its settlement infrastructure by migrating its trading collateral from bridged USDC to Circle-issued native USDC.
XingChiStablecoin issuer Circle has given a grant to the United Nations to help make humanitarian aid payments faster, cheaper and more transparent. The funding will support the UN’s Digital Hub of Treasury Solutions, building on earlier USDC trials to improve cross-border transfers and financial tracking across UN agencies.
WeatherlyBermuda plans to become the first fully on-chain national economy, using stablecoins like USDC for payments and partnering with Coinbase and Circle to build the infrastructure. Government offices, banks, and businesses will adopt digital wallets and tokenised systems to lower costs and improve financial access for residents.
WeatherlyBybit EU, the European arm of global cryptocurrency exchange Bybit, has launched a Christmas promotion offering 50 USDC to new users.
XingChiFrench fintech Lyzi has partnered with Porsche and Lamborghini to let customers pay for luxury cars using cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, USDC, and over 80 other digital assets. Payments are converted instantly into euros, protecting dealerships from crypto price changes and providing a smooth wallet-to-terminal experience.
AnaisCircle is developing a new privacy-enhanced stablecoin called USDCx, built with Aleo to allow confidential on-chain transactions. The launch comes as more U.S. banks and companies begin testing stablecoin payment systems under the new regulatory framework.
Jason RiggsVisa launched a pilot allowing US marketplaces to pay freelancers and creators in stablecoins such as USDC. It aims to make cross-border payments faster and more direct through instant transfers to crypto wallets.
WeatherlyCoinbase has launched Coinbase Business in Singapore, marking its first international expansion for the platform beyond the United States. The move underscores the exchange’s ambition to bring stablecoin-powered finance to startups and small enterprises across Asia.Coinbase Picks Singapore for Its First Global Expansion, Launches Coinbase Business to Power USDC Payments
XingChiSingapore merchants can now accept stablecoin payments through HitPay and Triple-A. Payments are instantly converted to fiat, letting businesses receive funds quickly and securely.
WeatherlyMalaysia’s Securities Commission has proposed allowing certain digital assets to be listed directly by exchanges without prior approval, aiming to speed up token launches while making exchanges more responsible. The regulator also plans stricter rules on exchange operations and client asset protection to address risks as crypto trading grows rapidly in the country.
AnaisOpenAI gave all staff a week off to slow down Meta’s aggressive hiring, after losing several researchers to Zuckerberg’s new AI team. Meta reportedly offered up to $100 million in pay packages, causing anxiety inside OpenAI as leaders scramble to stop more staff from leaving.
AnaisFigma has quietly invested over $69 million into a Bitcoin ETF and plans to buy more using $30 million in USDC. The move was revealed in its IPO filing, showing Bitcoin is now part of its company treasury alongside traditional assets.
JoyRussian police shut down a large illegal crypto mining farm in St. Petersburg that stole electricity and caused over 10 million rubles in damage. At the same time, authorities warned the public about rising crypto scams where fake traders trick people into handing over their money and account access.
WeatherlyThe SEC has approved Grayscale’s plan to turn its Digital Large-Cap Fund into an ETF, giving investors easier access to a basket of major cryptocurrencies. This move could lead to more crypto ETFs being approved in the US, including ones for altcoins like Solana, XRP, and Cardano.
AnaisA U.S. judge has allowed Celsius to sue Tether over the forced sale of 39,545 Bitcoin during its 2022 collapse, which Celsius says caused over $4 billion in losses. The court rejected Tether’s argument about being outside U.S. jurisdiction, meaning key claims like fraud and breach of contract will go ahead.
AnaisRipple has applied for a US national bank charter and a Federal Reserve account to support its stablecoin RLUSD. The move comes as new laws push stablecoin issuers to meet tougher rules, with Ripple aiming to boost trust and compete with USDC and USDT.
WeatherlyRobinhood offered tokens linked to OpenAI and SpaceX shares to European users, but OpenAI denied any involvement and warned the tokens do not represent real equity. Elon Musk called the OpenAI tokens "fake", and critics say the scheme is misleading and legally unclear.
AnaisNorth Korean hackers have secretly taken jobs inside crypto firms, posing as developers and IT staff to gain access from within. Investigations have found hundreds may be working in the industry, with some linked to thefts and scams using insider permissions.
WeatherlyOpenAI has signed a $30 billion-a-year deal with Oracle to secure massive computing power for its Stargate AI project. Oracle will build large data centres across the US, using 4.5GW of energy and 400,000 Nvidia chips to meet OpenAI’s growing AI needs.
Anais