USDC demand lifts Circle stock as Clear Street sets $136 target

Clear Street upgraded Circle to Buy and lifted its target to $136. CRCL broke above $123 for the first time since October. Barron’s.

USDC adoption is rising since February. Market cap kept climbing through recent volatility. Clear Street ties demand to utility, not speculation. Barron’s. USDC.

Analysts point to payment use. Remittances picked up as Iran’s conflict disrupted banking and exchanges in the region. Barron’s.

Institutions are tokenizing funds. USDC benefits from compliance and broad compatibility for settlement. Barron’s.

Prediction markets add demand. Polymarket’s planned US push could lift USDC usage. Barron’s.

AI is a new tailwind. Circle’s Arc aims to support automated, instant agent payments. Barron’s.

Policy is the swing factor. Clear Street expects momentum if the CLARITY Act advances and resolves yield rules for stablecoin deposits. The firm sees a possible passage before summer ends. Barron’s. CLARITY Act debate.

“Institutional allocators cite regulatory uncertainty as the main barrier,” said Clear Street’s Owen Lau. Barron’s.