Circle Eyes 40 New Markets as Stablecoin Demand Booms, AI Payments Gain Traction

Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE:CRCL) plans to expand into nearly 40 emerging and developing markets worldwide as demand for stablecoins scales, CEO and Chairman Jeremy Allaire told Reuters on Friday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Allaire highlighted growing adoption of digital currencies across Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

These regions are witnessing organic demand as individuals and businesses intend to be part ⁠of an internet-based economic system.

• Circle Internet Group shares are consolidating. What’s the outlook for CRCL shares?

Catalysts for Growing Stablecoin Adoption

Allaire highlighted the importance of the ecosystem transition from the early adopter phase of blockchain technology into the mainstream scaling phase.

The growing adoption is supported by regulatory frameworks, such as the U.S. Genius Act ​, expected to take effect in January 2027.

He highlighted the increasing competition driving the market as banking coalitions in the U.S. and Europe move rapidly to develop and deploy their own stablecoins and digital asset solutions.

Major financial institutions and payment firms are also ​increasingly embedding stablecoins for cross-border settlements and asset transfers.

Circle Internet Rides the Momentum

Circle operates as a leading regulated stablecoin issuer. It holds nearly 25% of the stablecoin market, compared with nearly 60% for Tether’s USDT, said Reuters.

The company’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin USDC circulation rose by 19% year-over-year rise to $73.3 billion in the second quarter of 2026.

Circle is accelerating its global expansion, ​backed by a $400 million acquisition of Tazapay in September, which added 60+ banking and fintech partners as well as 100+ payout markets into its ecosystem.

Further in September, it secured a $100 million strategic investment from Binance to help expand USDC access across emerging markets.

In July, the company became one of the first stablecoin issuers to ​hold a federal bank charter.

The company’s on-chain ⁠infrastructure offered via its Arc operating system, has been adopted by firms including BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) and Standard Chartered PLC (OTC:SCBFF)

Allaire also pointed to the growing use of USDC by artificial intelligence agents, software programs that make small payments for web research and online information services.

The executive also cautioned that rapid AI adoption introduces heightened cybersecurity risks, including escalating threats from sophisticated attackers and automated AI agents.

Earnings and Analyst Outlook

Circle is scheduled to report quarterly earnings on Nov. 4.

Analysts expect earnings of 36 cents per share, compared with 64 cents a year earlier. Revenue is projected to reach 780.98 million, up from $739.76 million.

Circle trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 17.4 times.

The stock carries a Hold rating with an average price target of $91.54. Recent analyst moves include:

• TD Cowen: Buy (Raises target to $92 on Sept. 17)
• Keefe, Bruyette & Woods: Initiated with Market Perform (Target $105 on Sept. 8)
• Wolfe Research: Underperform (Raises target to $65 on Aug. 25)

CRCL Price Action: Circle Internet Group shares were trading doen 0.43% at $86.60 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.

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