OUSD Stablecoin Poses Existential Threat to Circle
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 day ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Launch of New Stablecoin: A coalition of over 140 financial, tech, and retail giants, including Visa, Mastercard, and Coinbase, has backed the new stablecoin Open USD (OUSD), which poses a direct threat to Circle's USD Coin (USDC), causing Circle's stock to drop by 7.21%.
- Revenue Model Disruption: OUSD challenges Circle's traditional revenue model, which relies on cash and U.S. Treasury holdings, by sharing reserve income with ecosystem partners, potentially leading to a significant decline in Circle's market share and revenue.
- Decentralized Governance Advantage: Unlike USDC, which is managed solely by Circle, OUSD is governed by an independent board, making it more appealing to companies that prefer not to be controlled by a single entity, which could accelerate the loss of USDC users.
- Critical Role of Coinbase: Coinbase's partnership with OUSD raises concerns as it may not renew its revenue-sharing agreement with Circle, further weakening Circle's income sources, prompting investors to closely monitor its future performance.
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Analyst Views on CRCL
Wall Street analysts forecast CRCL stock price to rise
17 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
4 Hold
3 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 68.650
Low
65.00
Averages
143.07
High
280.00
Current: 68.650
Low
65.00
Averages
143.07
High
280.00
About CRCL
Circle Internet Group, Inc. is a global financial technology company. It operates as a platform, network, and market infrastructure for stablecoin and blockchain applications and the issuer of a United States dollar-denominated stablecoin, USDC and a euro-denominated stablecoin, EURC (collectively Circle stablecoins). It provides a stablecoin network and a range of blockchain-specific software infrastructure. Its product offerings include Stablecoins, Developer Services, Integration Services, and Tokenized Funds. Developer Services develops an array of developer-ready and enterprise-grade infrastructure services that developers can plug into their own applications. It connects and integrates products, such as USDC across blockchain networks. Its Tokenized Funds are regulated yield-bearing investments for collateral use in capital markets. It also offers liquidity services, which provides institutional minting, reserving, redemption, and foreign exchange services for Circle stablecoins.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Circle Internet Group Shares Plunge 44.6% Amidst Competitive Threats
- Stock Volatility: Circle Internet Group's shares plummeted 44.6% in June 2026, with a single-day drop of 17.6%, primarily driven by heightened market concerns over its core business, especially with the looming threat of the new competitor, Open USD stablecoin.
- Increased Competitive Pressure: The launch of Open USD stablecoin, backed by financial giants like Visa and BlackRock, is expected to directly capture market share from Circle, which currently holds approximately 26% of the market, second only to Tether.
- Index Removal Impact: Circle's stock was removed from five Russell indexes, leading to reduced demand from passive funds, which exacerbates the downward pressure on its stock amidst fragile cryptocurrency market sentiment.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: Although Circle continues to operate one of the most trusted stablecoins globally, its competitive moat is diminishing, prompting investors to watch how the company responds to the Open USD challenge, with potential strategies including partnerships or service expansion.
See More
Circle Internet Group Stock Plummets 44.6% Amidst Bitcoin Decline and New Competitor
- Stock Plunge: Circle Internet Group's stock plummeted 44.6% in June 2026, primarily driven by Bitcoin's decline and the emergence of new competitors, reflecting the high volatility of the crypto market and investor panic.
- Increased Competition: While Circle's USD Coin remains the second-largest stablecoin, it faces direct threats from the Open USD stablecoin, which is backed by financial giants like Visa and BlackRock, potentially eroding Circle's market share.
- Index Removal Impact: The removal of Circle's stock from five Russell indexes has led to a decrease in passive fund demand, exacerbating the downward pressure on the stock, especially amid the current fragile sentiment in the crypto market.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: Although Circle continues to operate one of the most trusted stablecoins globally, its competitive moat is shrinking, prompting investors to watch how the company responds to the Open USD challenge, which may require partnerships or business expansion to maintain its market position.
See More
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- Increased Transaction Volume: As new users complete KYC verification, the platform experiences a notable rise in transaction volume, which not only enhances user engagement but also positions the company favorably to capture the growing demand for Bitcoin.
- Promotional Campaigns: RhinoBitcoin has launched high-visibility initiatives such as SatsDrop Saturdays and plans for national television and Times Square advertising, aimed at boosting brand awareness and attracting more users.
- Accelerating Institutional Recognition: The company links its user growth to the maturation of Bitcoin as an asset class, citing investment moves by SpaceX and Japan's corporate pension fund as indicators of Bitcoin's gradual acceptance within institutional portfolios.
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Progress on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
- Bill Stalled: The House passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, but it remains stalled in the Senate due to stablecoin yield issues, as traditional banks seek to ban stablecoin yields to protect deposits, creating a significant roadblock for the legislation.
- Compromise Reached: Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks brokered a compromise to ban passive stablecoin rewards while allowing activity-based rewards, enabling the Senate to draft a new version of the bill that could potentially clear a final vote.
- Banking Warnings: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned that yield-bearing stablecoins could create a
See More
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- Stablecoin Yield Crisis: Jamie Dimon warns that yield-paying stablecoins could create a 'shadow banking' crisis, as traditional banks push to ban such yields to protect deposits, leading to fierce debates with crypto exchanges.
- CLARITY Act Progress: The Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, passed by the House last year, remains stalled in the Senate, primarily due to the challenge of addressing interest-bearing stablecoins, which could impact the future of stablecoins.
- Conflict of Interests Intensifies: Should the revised CLARITY Act ban all stablecoin yields, companies like Circle and Coinbase could face significant repercussions, as Circle's USDC would lose its appeal, leading to reduced minting and impacting Coinbase's revenue.
- Legislative Battle Continues: Dimon states that he will continue to fight against the CLARITY Act's stablecoin yield provisions, indicating that more legislative clashes may arise in the coming months, affecting market confidence in stablecoins.
See More
Circle Internet Group Shares Plunge 44.6% Amidst Competitive Threats
- Stock Volatility: Circle Internet Group's shares plummeted 44.6% in June 2026, with a single-day drop of 17.6%, primarily driven by heightened market concerns over its core business, especially with the looming threat of the new competitor, Open USD stablecoin.
- Increased Competitive Pressure: The launch of Open USD stablecoin, backed by financial giants like Visa and BlackRock, is expected to directly capture market share from Circle, which currently holds approximately 26% of the market, second only to Tether.
- Index Removal Impact: Circle's stock was removed from five Russell indexes, leading to reduced demand from passive funds, which exacerbates the downward pressure on its stock amidst fragile cryptocurrency market sentiment.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: Although Circle continues to operate one of the most trusted stablecoins globally, its competitive moat is diminishing, prompting investors to watch how the company responds to the Open USD challenge, with potential strategies including partnerships or service expansion.
See More
Circle Internet Group Stock Plummets 44.6% Amidst Bitcoin Decline and New Competitor
- Stock Plunge: Circle Internet Group's stock plummeted 44.6% in June 2026, primarily driven by Bitcoin's decline and the emergence of new competitors, reflecting the high volatility of the crypto market and investor panic.
- Increased Competition: While Circle's USD Coin remains the second-largest stablecoin, it faces direct threats from the Open USD stablecoin, which is backed by financial giants like Visa and BlackRock, potentially eroding Circle's market share.
- Index Removal Impact: The removal of Circle's stock from five Russell indexes has led to a decrease in passive fund demand, exacerbating the downward pressure on the stock, especially amid the current fragile sentiment in the crypto market.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: Although Circle continues to operate one of the most trusted stablecoins globally, its competitive moat is shrinking, prompting investors to watch how the company responds to the Open USD challenge, which may require partnerships or business expansion to maintain its market position.
See More
RhinoBitcoin Reports Significant User Growth
- Surge in User Growth: RhinoBitcoin reported that new KYC-verified users have more than tripled since the start of Q2, indicating significant progress in driving mainstream adoption, which is expected to further boost transaction volumes.
- Increased Market Acceptance: With large institutions like SpaceX and Japan's corporate pension fund investing in Bitcoin, RhinoBitcoin is leveraging this trend to attract more individual users, enhancing its market position.
- Effective Promotional Campaigns: The SatsDrop Saturdays initiative has generated strong user engagement, and combined with the Creator Program and upcoming national advertising, it is expected to significantly raise brand awareness.
- Comprehensive Financial Services: Positioned as an all-in-one Bitcoin banking app, RhinoBitcoin offers zero-fee Bitcoin purchases, bill payments, and lending features, aiming to meet the growing user demand and expand its market share.
See More
RhinoBitcoin Reports Significant User Growth
- Significant User Growth: RhinoBitcoin reported that new KYC-verified users have more than tripled since the start of Q2, indicating substantial progress in driving transaction volume and reflecting an accelerating trend of mainstream adoption.
- Increased Transaction Volume: As new users complete KYC verification, the platform experiences a notable rise in transaction volume, which not only enhances user engagement but also positions the company favorably to capture the growing demand for Bitcoin.
- Promotional Campaigns: RhinoBitcoin has launched high-visibility initiatives such as SatsDrop Saturdays and plans for national television and Times Square advertising, aimed at boosting brand awareness and attracting more users.
- Accelerating Institutional Recognition: The company links its user growth to the maturation of Bitcoin as an asset class, citing investment moves by SpaceX and Japan's corporate pension fund as indicators of Bitcoin's gradual acceptance within institutional portfolios.
See More
Progress on the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act
- Bill Stalled: The House passed the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, but it remains stalled in the Senate due to stablecoin yield issues, as traditional banks seek to ban stablecoin yields to protect deposits, creating a significant roadblock for the legislation.
- Compromise Reached: Senators Thom Tillis and Angela Alsobrooks brokered a compromise to ban passive stablecoin rewards while allowing activity-based rewards, enabling the Senate to draft a new version of the bill that could potentially clear a final vote.
- Banking Warnings: JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned that yield-bearing stablecoins could create a
See More
Jamie Dimon Warns of Stablecoin Risks
- Stablecoin Yield Crisis: Jamie Dimon warns that yield-paying stablecoins could create a 'shadow banking' crisis, as traditional banks push to ban such yields to protect deposits, leading to fierce debates with crypto exchanges.
- CLARITY Act Progress: The Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act, passed by the House last year, remains stalled in the Senate, primarily due to the challenge of addressing interest-bearing stablecoins, which could impact the future of stablecoins.
- Conflict of Interests Intensifies: Should the revised CLARITY Act ban all stablecoin yields, companies like Circle and Coinbase could face significant repercussions, as Circle's USDC would lose its appeal, leading to reduced minting and impacting Coinbase's revenue.
- Legislative Battle Continues: Dimon states that he will continue to fight against the CLARITY Act's stablecoin yield provisions, indicating that more legislative clashes may arise in the coming months, affecting market confidence in stablecoins.
See More
