Circle Web Group (NYSE: CRCL) is the world’s second-biggest stablecoin issuer. Worth-wise, the corporate has had a rocky journey since its preliminary public providing (IPO) in June 2025. Initially priced at $31, Circle instantly jumped to $69 and soared to over $260 inside weeks. As of Feb. 17, it’s buying and selling at round $62.
Down 76% from its excessive, Circle’s efficiency doesn’t examine properly with high synthetic intelligence (AI) shares. Nonetheless, as traders begin to concern AI overvaluation, this stablecoin supplier is price a more in-depth look. Stablecoins — tokens that signify conventional currencies, such because the U.S. greenback — are hovering. Not solely do they provide a gathering level for conventional finance and cryptocurrency, however they might additionally underpin AI agent funds. Here is how Circle is constructing the fee infrastructure for the long run.
Will AI create the world’s first trillionaire? Our staff simply launched a report on the one little-known firm, known as an “Indispensable Monopoly” offering the vital expertise Nvidia and Intel each want. Proceed »
Circle Web Group offers a compliant, audited stablecoin powerhouse in addition to tokenization companies. As extra property and transactions transfer on-chain, respected suppliers will energy that shift. Circle has partnerships with over 100 key gamers, together with Visa, Deutsche Börse Group, and Itau. These place it to grow to be the spine of this rising fee construction.
There’s now $73.6 billion of Circle’s USD Coin (CRYPTO: USDC) in circulation, up from $35.5 billion within the third quarter of 2024. Its greatest competitor, Tether (CRYPTO: USDT), is a good distance forward with $183.6 billion. Nevertheless, Tether is difficult from a regulatory perspective because it has been dogged by questions over its reserves. Circle’s reserves, then again, are verified by a third-party auditor, making it extra enticing to companies with compliance necessities.
One other vital side of Circle’s rising infrastructure is that stablecoins are already supporting AI brokers, which may carry out duties autonomously. Blockchain expertise allows quick, low-cost transactions that may happen 24/7, making it supreme for the sorts of micropayments AI brokers must make. The programmable nature of some blockchains additionally helps — the code can set the circumstances underneath which AI transactions may occur.
Proper now, a number of Circle’s income comes from the curiosity it earns from its reserves. That totaled $740 million in Q3 2025, up 66% yr over yr. It has to maintain funds in reserve for every stablecoin it points, which makes for a stable revenue base. If stablecoin issuance soars, as many predict, that would considerably increase Circle’s yield-generating reserves.
