Stablecoin issuer Circle has rejected speculation about a potential acquisition, firmly denying claims that it has held informal talks with Coinbase or Ripple regarding a sale.
The rumors originated from a paid report published by Fortune, which alleged that Circle had engaged in early-stage discussions with both firms at a valuation of $5 billion or more. In response, Circle issued a clear statement: “Circle is not for sale. Our long-term goals have not changed.”
The company emphasized that its primary focus remains on going public. Circle formally filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in April, reigniting plans that had previously been delayed since late 2022. While no listing date has been confirmed, reports in early April indicated that Circle had secured agreements with investment banks to move the process forward.
Part of the speculation stemmed from earlier reports that Ripple had made a multi-billion-dollar acquisition offer to Circle—estimated between $4 billion and $5 billion—which the company reportedly declined, deeming it too low. Despite the rejection, Ripple is said to still be evaluating whether to return with a revised proposal.
Meanwhile, the crypto sector has seen a surge in major acquisitions amid a more favorable regulatory backdrop under the current U.S. administration. Ripple recently made headlines with its $1.25 billion purchase of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road, while Coinbase announced plans to acquire Dubai-based crypto derivatives platform Deribit for $2.9 billion—moves that signal intensifying competition in the digital finance space.
Circle, however, appears to be staying the course, focusing on its independent strategy and IPO ambitions despite industry consolidation.
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