Circle has emerged as a new crypto blue chip
Against the backdrop of intense volatility in the cryptocurrency market, stablecoin issuer Circle Internet Financial (CRCL) has risen against the tide. Its stock price has soared by as much as 800% since its listing, and it has become the highest-weighted (13%) component of the VanEck Digital Assets Index (MVDAPP), surpassing Coinbase (COIN) and MicroStrategy (MSTR). Why has Circle attracted massive capital inflows from Wall Street? This article analyzes Circle's rise to become a "must-have asset" for institutions, focusing on three key aspects: its stablecoin's dominant position, its leading role in index funds, and its regulatory moat.
Circle's Three Key Advantages: Part 1 - USDC's "Cash Flow Monopoly": From Payment Tool to Financial Infrastructure
Circle's stablecoin, USDC, is currently the second-largest USD stablecoin globally, with a circulating supply of $32 billion.
▍Institutional-Grade Applications Explode
Futures Market Integration: Coinbase's clearinghouse, Nodal Clear, announced that from 2025, USDC will become eligible collateral for settling futures contracts, directly connecting it to traditional financial markets.
GENIUS Act Benefits: If passed, the GENIUS Act would incorporate USDC into the official US payment system, making it a compliant tool for corporate taxes and treasury transactions, further solidifying its government-level applications.
▍Robust Cash Flow Model
Circle generates revenue through interest sharing from USDC reserves, with an estimated annual income of $1.7 billion in 2024. This "low volatility + high liquidity" business model is extremely rare in the crypto industry, leading to CRCL being seen as the "Visa of crypto."
Read more: The Truth Behind Wall Street's Rush for Circle Stock; Stablecoin Scale Exceeds $250 Billion
Circle's Three Key Advantages: Part 2 - Index Fund "Weight Hegemony": Passive Capital Continues to Increase
Less than three weeks after its IPO, Circle became the largest component (13% weight) of the VanEck MVDAPP index, significantly exceeding MicroStrategy (7%) and Coinbase (9%).
▍Passive Investment's Buying Effect
The VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (DAPP) must allocate CRCL according to its weight, creating an "institutional buying spiral."
Data shows that VanEck holds more CRCL shares than Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire, demonstrating Wall Street's recognition of its long-term value.
▍Comparison with Crypto Peers
| Company | Index Weight | Year-to-Date Stock Price Increase | Main Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle | 13% | +445% | Stablecoin (USDC) |
| Coinbase | 9% | +23% | Exchange |
| Strategy | 7% | +26% | Bitcoin Holdings |
Compared to the highly volatile exchanges and Bitcoin holding companies, Circle's "stablecoin cash flow" makes it the preferred choice for institutional funds seeking risk hedging.
Circle's Three Key Advantages: Part 3 - Regulatory Moat: Stablecoins Become "Regulatory Favorites"
Circle's significant post-IPO rise can be attributed in part to the passage of the GENIUS Act in the Senate
▍Strategic Value of the GENIUS Act
The GENIUS Act only awaits House passage and presidential signature. The Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani team predicts that if the bill is enacted, stablecoins will transition from the cryptocurrency ecosystem to a broader internet finance system.
The US Treasury has tested using USDC for tokenized settlement of treasury bonds, potentially leading to further integration into the global financial system.
▍Traditional Finance Alliances
Circle has partnered with Visa and BlackRock to explore cross-border payments for tokenized assets and has received support from numerous banks, giving it a central position in the trend towards "crypto compliance."
Conclusion: Has Circle Become a "Blue-Chip Stock of Crypto"?
Based on market performance, Circle's three key moats—its stablecoin business, index weight, and policy advantages—have indeed moved it beyond the category of "high-risk crypto stocks," bringing it closer to the positioning of traditional financial payment giants (like Visa and Mastercard).
However, risks remain:
Interest Rate Policy Impact: If the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, USDC interest income may decline.
Regulatory Variables: Delays in the GENIUS Act would postpone institutional adoption.
In the short term, the continuous inflow of passive capital has significantly increased Circle's market capitalization. The long-term outlook depends on whether USDC can truly become a global financial infrastructure. For investors, CRCL is no longer just a crypto concept stock; it is a crucial bet on digital dollar dominance.
