As of May 4, 2025, USDC, issued by Circle with a $62 billion market cap, is up 40% this year, fueled by regulatory approvals in Abu Dhabi and Japan, plus partnerships with Onafriq for African payments and Worldcoin for integration. This growth outpaces USDT since November, despite Ripple’s rejected $4-5 billion acquisition bid. However, EU MiCA regulations and reserve concerns pose challenges. Sentiment on X is mixed, with some viewing compliance as a strength, others as a risk. The current scenario indicates strong growth potential for USDC, though regulatory and competitive uncertainties remain key factors to watch.