Circle Teams Up with US Banks for IPO Launch in April

The USDC stablecoin’s issuer, Circle, is getting ready for the much-anticipated April initial public offering (IPO). The startup has teamed up with Citi Bank and JPMorgan Chase to help it negotiate its way to the public markets, according to a Fortune story.

According to the article, which cites anonymous sources, Circle intends to submit IPO documentation to the SEC by the end of April. After a prior attempt was shelved after the FTX collapse in 2022, the company made a fresh attempt at a standard IPO in January 2024.

If successful, Circle’s IPO could become the largest cryptocurrency-related public offering since Coinbase’s debut in 2021. Notably, JPMorgan Chase and Citi Bank also advised Coinbase during its public offering, making them experienced partners for Circle’s market entry.

Circle’s Stablecoin Impact and CEO’s Vision

Circle’s USDC stablecoin, pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, is one of the most widely used digital currencies. With a market cap exceeding $53 billion, USDC ranks as the second-largest stablecoin, trailing only Tether’s USDT, which boasts a market cap nearing $140 billion.

Jeremy Allaire, Circle’s CEO, has repeatedly highlighted the strategic importance of dollar-pegged stablecoins in the global economy. In December, Allaire underscored how stablecoins could bolster the US dollar’s international standing.

“First and foremost, we have to focus on the strength and competitiveness of the dollar first,” Allaire stated. He also pointed out the resistance some countries have toward the dollar’s dominance, emphasizing the role stablecoins can play as digital dollar alternatives.

“So first we need full reserve digital dollars, like stablecoins to become a mass export product of the United States and if there’s going to be a major currency of the internet, make sure it’s a digital dollar…”

As Circle moves closer to its IPO, the backing of major financial institutions and its established position in the stablecoin market could provide strong momentum. The outcome will likely shape the future of cryptocurrency firms entering public markets.