Circle Internet Financial, the Entity Behind the USD Coin (USDC) Stablecoin, Is Taking a Significant Step Towards Public Markets

Circle Internet Financial, the entity behind the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin, is taking a significant step towards public markets, tapping investment banking giants JP Morgan Chase and Citi

Circle Internet Financial, the company behind the USD Coin (USDC) stablecoin, is nearing a major milestone with plans to go public via a traditional initial public offering (IPO), according to a new report from Fortune.

Citing sources familiar with the matter, the publication says the company is aiming to confidentially file for the offering as soon as late April. From there, the IPO process could take another six months or so to complete, setting the stage for what would be the largest crypto-related IPO since Coinbase’s direct listing in 2021.

The company previously attempted to go public via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in 2021. However, that agreement was terminated in November 2022 following regulatory hurdles and a subsequent downturn in the crypto market.

Instead, Circle will be applying for an IPO through the traditional route, which will involve disclosing its financial health and business operations in greater detail. This information is likely to be closely followed by investors and industry observers.

The timing of Circle’s IPO also coincides with a significant rebound in the broader IPO market after a relatively slow 2024. With the market in better shape and Congress making progress on stablecoin legislation with support from both sides of the aisle and even President Trump, the stage appears to be set for Circle to debut on public markets.

The company’s flagship USDC stablecoin has also experienced remarkable growth recently, with its market capitalization reaching an all-time high of around $60 billion. This growth was fueled by a surge in decentralized finance (DeFi) and crypto trading activity.

However, Circle has also faced challenges, including a temporary de-pegging of USDC during the Silicon Valley Bank crisis in 2023. It also trails stablecoin leader Tether’s USDT—which currently has a market capitalization of around $144 billion—by a significant margin.

Despite these challenges, Circle’s move towards a traditional IPO signals the increasing maturity of the crypto industry and the growing interest of institutional investors in this asset class.