Circle Internet Financial, the company behind the popular USDC stablecoin, is making its way to the stock market, in a significant move for the crypto industry, Circle has confidentially filed for an initial public offering (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a second time.

USDC, short for USD Coin, is the second-largest stablecoin in the crypto market, with a market capitalization of around $25 billion.

While Tether (USDT) holds the top spot with a market cap of approximately $95 billion, USDC has gained significant traction as a trusted dollar-backed digital currency.

Crypto Game Changer: Circle’s Secret IPO Filing

Circle Internet Financial has made a confidential filing for an IPO in the United States, and while specific details about the number of shares to be offered and the proposed price range remain undisclosed, the move signifies Circle’s intention to list its shares on stock exchanges and become a publicly-traded company.

But this isn’t the first time Circle has attempted a public listing, this IPO filing comes after Circle’s previous plan to go public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) fell through in 2022.

At that time, the company was valued at approximately $9 billion.

SEC Spot Bitcoin ETF Approval Set Stage For IPOs

The timing of the IPO, assuming it’s even approved, will largely depend on the SEC’s review process, as well as market conditions. Circle expects the IPO to take place soon after the SEC completes its assessment.

While there are no concrete dates yet, this development is being closely monitored by the crypto community and Business2Community.

Circle’s IPO plans come on the heels of the SEC’s recent approval of several spot Bitcoin ETFs, marking a major milestone for the crypto industry – and heralding the end of ‘early adoption’.

The approval of these ETFs has injected optimism into the market, with traditional financial institutions gaining easier access to Bitcoin investments.

Also Read: Circle’s New Cross-Chain Bridge Could Be Deathblow to Other Bridges

Stablecoins in Focus: USDC’s Vital Role

Stablecoins like USDC play a crucial role in the crypto ecosystem by providing a bridge between traditional finance and the digital asset space, they are designed to maintain price stability by pegging their value to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar – USDC’s market capitalization reflects its importance in facilitating crypto transactions and trading.

To highlight the significance of Circle within the crypto ecosystem, NASDAQ-listed Coinbase bought a minority stake in Circle for an undisclosed amount in August 2023.

Circle’s decision to go public aligns with its long-term strategy to enhance trust and transparency in the crypto market, and mainline acceptance of the crypto industry more broadly in the world of TradFi.

And the move is paying off, with some analysts predicting that the filing will result in a significant quantity of funds shifting from USDT to USDC. This is likely because USDT, also known as Tether, is often seen as mysterious and even shady.

There is good reason for this as the NY Attorney General found that Tether lied about the contents of the reserves that backed USDT, saying that it was backed 1:1 with USD. This was far from the truth as it held much riskier assets with nearly 50% in an absurdly risky kind of non-collateralized loan called commercial paper.

Also Read: USDC Hit With Allegations of Enabling Terror Financing

Circle is quite dissimilar to Tether, at least on the surface. It strives to ensure regulatory compliance and is more open about its reserves and decisions. As the IPO process unfolds, Circle’s valuation, share details, and market performance will be closely watched by investors and financial experts.

Circle’s IPO Could Set the Tone of Things to Come

Overall, Circle’s confidential IPO filing represents a significant development in the crypto industry, as the SEC reviews the application the crypto community eagerly awaits further details and insights into this ground-breaking move and the opportunity to invest.

Circle would be one of the first crypto companies other than basic crypto exchanges like Coinbase to be listed on the US stock exchanges. If the IPO is approved and goes smoothly, it may open the path to hundreds if not thousands of crypto firms looking to go public.