Circle shares surge 10.04% after-hours as crypto markets recover and USDC circulation rebounds.

Circle Internet Group surged 10.04% in after-hours trading, driven by a broader crypto market rebound and increased demand for its USDC stablecoin. The stock’s rally coincided with a recovery in USDC’s market cap, which had rebounded from a mid-November 3% decline as investors re-entered crypto markets post-Thanksgiving. Circle’s business model—earning interest on cash reserves tied to USDC—benefited from renewed stablecoin activity, reflecting confidence in its liquidity-generating potential. Additionally, Circle’s strategic position as a transparent alternative to Tether, which faced an S&P downgrade, further bolstered investor sentiment. The move aligns with broader trends of institutional adoption and regulatory alignment, though short-term volatility remains tied to macroeconomic and crypto market fluctuations.