Circle Internet Group (CRCL) had a strong session on August 19, with the stock climbing 9.56% to $78.59 during regular trading. After the bell, it pushed higher again, gaining another 2.37% to $80.45.
The move was driven by two things happening at once: fresh data showing USDC gaining ground on Tether, and a broad rally across crypto-linked names.
USDC transactions jumped 209% year-over-year in the first half of 2026, with transaction volume up 101% over the same period. Meanwhile, Tether’s USDT saw its transaction activity decline, though it remains the market leader.
The data comes from NOWPayments, a crypto payment firm. It noted that USDT still offers the scale and liquidity most businesses rely on, but that USDC is becoming a popular alternative.
NOWPayments also pointed out that businesses are increasingly using both stablecoins for everyday operations, including payroll and treasury transfers. The firm described stablecoins as becoming part of core business infrastructure, not just a payment option.
The stock move didn’t happen in isolation. Bitcoin surged nearly 8% on Wednesday, touching $70,000, its highest level since early June. That rally lifted a wide range of crypto-linked stocks, and Circle was among them.
Falling Treasury yields also helped. The Treasury Department expanded its bond-buyback program, pushing the 30-year yield down to around 5.2% and the 10-year to 4.65%.
President Trump’s planned White House meeting with crypto industry executives added to the positive mood. The meeting came after the SEC abruptly cancelled a related session, and raised hopes for clearer regulation via the CLARITY Act.
Trump urged Congress to pass the CLARITY Act at the summit, calling it structured legislation that would keep the U.S. ahead of China in the crypto space.
Circle has a consensus Moderate Buy rating from 21 Wall Street analysts. That breaks down as 13 Buy, five Hold, and three Sell recommendations over the past three months.
The average price target sits at $98.61, which implies about 25% upside from current levels.
On a technical basis, CRCL’s RSI stands at 61.76. The stock has a market cap of $19.95 billion and has traded between a 52-week low of $49.90 and a high of $159.47.
Over the past 12 months, the stock is down 42.97%, and it is currently trading at roughly 26% of the way between its 52-week low and high.
After-hours trading on August 19 put CRCL at $80.45.
The post Circle Internet (CRCL) Stock Rises 10% as USDC Transaction Growth Outpaces Tether appeared first on CoinCentral.
