#CircleIPO Circle Internet Group, the issuer of USDC, the second-largest stablecoin, has gone public, raising $1.05 billion in a blockbuster IPO on the NYSE under the ticker CRCL. Priced at $31 per share—above the expected $27-$28 range—the offering valued Circle at $6.8 billion, with a fully diluted valuation of $7.2 billion. The IPO, oversubscribed by over 25 times, signals strong investor confidence in stablecoins.

USDC, with a 29% stablecoin market share, is a cornerstone of crypto payments and DeFi. Circle’s compliance-first approach and the recent U.S. GENIUS Act passage bolster its credibility amid growing regulatory clarity. The IPO, which sold 34 million shares, saw heavy interest from institutional investors like BlackRock, which reportedly took a 10% stake.

This debut marks a pivotal moment for crypto’s integration into traditional finance. However, Circle faces challenges, including competition from Tether and reliance on partners like Coinbase. For investors, CRCL offers exposure to the booming stablecoin market, but navigating regulatory shifts and market volatility will be key.