BlackRock and Ark Invest Eye 10% Stake in Circle’s USDC-Backed IPO

BlackRock is positioning itself to acquire a 10% stake in Circle Internet Financial Ltd.’s upcoming IPO, signaling strong institutional confidence in the USDC stablecoin issuer. The asset management giant could inject significant capital into the offering, which includes 24 million Class A common shares priced between $24 and $26.

Circle’s IPO structure reveals strategic intent: 9.6 million new shares will directly benefit the company, while existing shareholders offer 14.4 million shares. Underwriters retain an option for an additional 3.6 million shares, potentially pushing the total offering to $624 million at maximum subscription.

Ark Investment Management, led by Cathie Wood, may commit up to $150 million to the offering. Preliminary demand already exceeds available shares, with pricing expected June 4. The participation of these financial heavyweights underscores growing mainstream acceptance of crypto-adjacent financial infrastructure.