Circle首份财报：“稳定币第一股”未盈利

Core Viewpoint - Circle, the issuer of the second-largest USD stablecoin USDC, reported a significant revenue increase driven by the growth in USDC circulation, despite facing substantial net losses due to non-cash expenses related to its IPO [2][4][5]. Financial Performance - Circle's total revenue and reserve income grew by 53% year-over-year to $658 million, exceeding analyst expectations of $647.3 million [3]. - The company recorded a net loss of $482 million in Q2, with an adjusted loss per share of $4.48 [4]. - The majority of Circle's revenue comes from interest income, particularly from short-term U.S. Treasury securities backing USDC, with revenue from reserves increasing from $735.9 million in 2022 to $1.4 billion in 2023 [4]. Market Position and Growth - As of June 30, USDC's circulation increased by 90% year-over-year to $61.3 billion, capturing a 28% market share in the fiat-backed stablecoin market [7]. - Circle's market capitalization for USDC surpassed $65 billion, ranking second globally after Tether's USDT [7]. - The passage of the "GENIUS Act" by President Trump is seen as a significant regulatory advantage for Circle, enhancing its competitive position in the stablecoin market [7]. Stock Performance and Investor Sentiment - Following the earnings report, Circle's stock surged over 10% in pre-market trading, reaching a peak of $190 before dropping 6% in after-hours trading due to shareholder sell-off concerns [5]. - The company plans to issue 2 million new shares while existing shareholders will sell 8 million shares, raising concerns about potential dilution [5]. Strategic Initiatives - Circle plans to launch its own blockchain, Arc, by the end of the year, which will utilize USDC as a native asset for transaction fees [8]. - This move aligns with broader industry trends, as other payment giants like Stripe and Robinhood are also developing their own blockchain solutions [8]. Revenue and Cost Structure - Circle's revenue is heavily reliant on U.S. Treasury securities, with a projected increase in stablecoin issuance leading to additional demand for short-term U.S. debt [9]. - Distribution costs have risen by 64% to $407 million, primarily due to increased USDC circulation and payments to Coinbase, which accounts for 60% of Circle's revenue [10]. - Analysts have raised concerns about Circle's reliance on a single revenue stream, with 99% of income derived from reserve assets, indicating a potential valuation ceiling [10].