Circle is a financial technology company that is best known as the co-creator and issuer of the [[USDC (USD Coin)]] stablecoin. Some key facts about Circle: - Circle was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts [[United States of America (USA)]]. - The company's original mission was to build consumer-facing cryptocurrency products and services, such as a mobile wallet app. - In 2018, Circle shifted its focus more towards institutional crypto services and the creation of stablecoins like USDC. - Circle partnered with Coinbase to co-found the Centre consortium, which oversees the development and management of the USDC stablecoin. - As the primary issuer of USDC, Circle maintains the necessary USD reserves and ensures the stablecoin remains fully backed. - In addition to USDC, Circle offers other crypto-related products and services for businesses, including cryptocurrency trading, lending, and payment processing. - The company has raised significant venture capital funding from investors such as Bitmain, Baidu, and [[Goldman Sachs]]. - Circle is regulated as a money services business and works to comply with relevant financial regulations in the jurisdictions where it operates. Overall, Circle plays a central role in the USDC stablecoin ecosystem and the broader cryptocurrency industry.