USDC Issuer Circle Prepares for IPO with Hong Kong Expansion

• Circle has plans to expand to Hong Kong, drawing on the region’s regulatory clarity.
• The USDC issuer is also neck-deep in pushing for an IPO. 

Circle Internet Financial, the firm behind the USDC stablecoin, recently disclosed its plans to expand into Hong Kong. This move comes as Circle prepares to launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO), with expectations of new stablecoin regulations.

Circle’s Expansion Plans in Hong Kong

According to local news media, Circle’s CEO, Jeremy Allaire, sees Hong Kong as a key market for USDC. Therefore, the CEO revealed intentions to hire more employees and establish the business in Hong Kong. 

Circle aims to apply for a local license in Hong Kong as soon as a legal framework is established in the jurisdiction. Notably, the Hong Kong government aims to submit the stablecoin issuer system to the Legislative Council for review before the end of the year.

Hong Kong offers several benefits for the growth of stablecoins, including the ability to settle USD transactions on the same day. Consequently, Circle is competing against Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com over having a HKD stablecoin in the market. Circle can also benefit from Hong Kong’s standing as an ideal hub for stablecoin development and innovation. 

Hong Kong has taken several pro-crypto measures over the last two years, welcoming the launch of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Although demand for these investment instruments remains subdued, this demonstrates a strong regulatory acceptance of crypto investment products.

In addition to the Hong Kong expansion plans, Circle is considering entering new markets like Asia Pacific and Australia. This move comes shortly after the firm announced integration into real-time payment systems in Brazil and Mexico. 

As reported by CNF, the integration will allow businesses to directly access USDC from local financial institutions without the need for international fire transfers. Additionally, it permits companies in Brazil and Mexico to offer USDC to retail clients and use it for other corporate objectives.

In an earlier expansion move, Circle announced a partnership with Hong Kong Telecom (HKT) to explore a blockchain-based customer loyalty solution. As mentioned by CNF, the partnership seeks to inspire creative interaction between Hong Kong’s retailers and consumers.

Circle’s IPO Push 

In a Bloomberg interview last week, Circle’s CEO revealed that preparations for an IPO are intact. 

Circle’s journey towards a possible IPO has met several challenges. The stablecoin issuer’s IPO plan started two years ago when it sought a merger with Concord Acquisition via the SPAC merger. The deal, however, failed to materialize at that point. In January this year, Circle re-ignited its vision and formally filed a draft statement to pursue its IPO plans in the US. 

The firm did not disclose specific information on the number of shares it plans to sell or the proposed price range. In his latest interview, Allaire said Circle does not need to raise additional funds from the private market. An IPO launch is a big step for Circle as it might help boost its global market presence.