At the moment, there’s no way to buy Circle stock as the stablecoin company is not publicly traded. Circle did file for a US IPO in early 2024, but we have no news beyond that.
Circle is a digital currency company best known for its USD Coin stablecoin, which commands the 7th largest market capitalization of any cryptocurrency ($56.5 billion as of February 2025). Circle first announced its plans to go public in 2021 by merging with a special-purpose acquisition company called Concord Acquisition Corp, but the deal was later terminated in December 2022.
Key takeaways:
- While Circle is not yet publicly traded valuations from previous funding rounds hint at a potential $7-9 billion valuation for the IPO.
- Circle is a digital currency company offering a suite of products and services catering to both individual and institutional users in the cryptocurrency space.
- Notable for its USD Coin stablecoin, Circle’s USDC is pegged to the value of the US dollar, offering price stability in the crypto space. Alongside USDC, Circle also has Euro Coin (EURC), a euro-backed stablecoin.
- Circle extends its services to institutional clients through Circle Invest, providing tailored investment opportunities and trading capabilities.
About Circle
Circle was founded in 2013 by Internet entrepreneur Jeremy Allaire. The company received $135 million in venture capital between 2013 and 2016, including a $50 million investment by Goldman Sachs. Over the years, Circle received additional VC funds, most notably from BlackRock and Fidelity Investments.
At its core, Circle offers a range of products and services designed to cater to the needs of both individual and institutional users in the cryptocurrency space. One of its flagship offerings is USD Coin (USDC), a stablecoin that is pegged to the value of the US dollar and is one of the few MiCa compliant stablecoins. USDC is built on blockchain technology and is designed to provide stability amidst the often volatile nature of other cryptocurrencies. The company also has a euro-backed stablecoin, called Euro Coin (EURC).
The market cap of USDC has been continuously growing, increasing by over +180% since last year. (Source: TradingView)
Apart from stablecoins, Circle provides various payment solutions that enable businesses and individuals to send and receive payments across borders quickly and cost-effectively using cryptocurrencies. Additionally, the company offers trading services through its platform, allowing users to buy, sell, and trade a variety of digital assets.
Circle’s focus extends beyond retail users, catering to institutional clients as well. Through its Circle Invest services, the company provides investment opportunities and trading capabilities tailored to meet the needs of institutional investors looking to enter the cryptocurrency market.
When is the Circle IPO date?
Following a previous report by Bloomberg, which reported that the company is talking to advisors and considering filing for a 2024 IPO, Circle did file for an IPO in January 2024, as reported by Reuters, though the IPO date itself hasn’t been determined yet. That being said, IPOs can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to complete. If there were no issues with the submitted paperwork, Circle could become publicly traded sometime in 2025.
“The company is talking to advisers as it prepares for a potential initial public offering, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information.”
A Circle representative who was reached out for comment noted, “Becoming a U.S.-listed public company has long been part of Circle’s strategic aspirations,” and added that they won’t comment on rumors.
Is Circle publicly traded?
No, Circle is not publicly traded. However, the company did file for an IPO in early 2024, which means we could see the company going public sometime in 2025 if the IPO is completed.
Judging by valuations at which Circle raised money in the past, we might have some insight into the company’s potential IPO valuation if it does end up going public:
- In February 2022, Circle was valued at $9 billion according to the terms of its planned merger with Concord Acquisition Corp.
- In April 2022, Circle raised $400 million from BlackRock, Fidelity, and others, valuing the company at $7.7 billion.
We can’t really say how these valuations could end up impacting Circle’s stock price. But it does seem Circle will be seeking a billion-dollar valuation in the high single digits for its IPO.
How to invest in Circle?
As of writing, Circle has not yet announced a specific date for its IPO. However, it is possible that the company will go public sometime in 2025. Once Circle has officially announced the IPO date and the stock exchange it will be listed on, you will be able to buy Circle stock through a brokerage account.
Until then, you can gain indirect exposure to Circle by investing in companies with an equity stake in it. One such company is Coinbase, a popular crypto exchange that has invested an undisclosed amount in Circle. Buying Coinbase shares provides some exposure to Circle, though the extent is unclear.
Here are the steps on how to buy Circle stock when the company does go public:
- Open a brokerage account: Choose a reputable brokerage firm that offers access to the stock exchange where Circle will be listed. Some popular brokerage firms include SimpleFX and eToro. Check our list of best futures brokers if you want to trade Circle stock derivatives.
- Fund your account: Debit or wire money into your brokerage account to cover the purchase of Circle stock.
- Place a buy order: Once Circle stock has been officially listed, you can place a buy order through your brokerage account’s trading platform. Specify the number of shares you want to purchase and the price you are willing to pay.
- Execute the order: When the stock market opens, your buy order will be executed at the current market price. You will receive a confirmation notification from your brokerage firm.
If you want a more detailed look at how to buy stocks, particularly on eToro, check out the video below. The process of buying stocks using different brokers is mostly similar, but there can be significant differences in fees, so keep an eye on that.
The bottom line
Unfortunately, you cannot currently buy Circle stock as the USDC issuer is not publicly traded. However, that might change this year, as reports indicate a potential IPO sometime in 2025. Given the backing by large financial institutions like BlackRock, Fidelity, and others, it seems very likely that we will see Circle on the stock market sooner rather than later.