Bernstein backs Circle with $190 target as ARC presale reaches $222 million
Bernstein has maintained its Outperform rating on Circle Internet Group with a $190 price target after the companys $222 million ARC token presale and continued USDC growth helped offset pressure from falling reserve income.Bernstein kept its Outperform rating on Circle and set a $190 price target after the company raised $222 million through its ARC token presale.USDC supply reached $77 billion in Q1, while Circle Payments Network annualized transaction volume approached $10 billion.Bernstein said Arcs testnet processed more than 244 million transactions as Circle expanded its AI-focused payment infrastructure around USDC. According to a Tuesday client note from Bernstein analysts led by Gautam Chhugani, the brokerage sees Circles expanding blockchain and payments business as supporting earnings visibility even as lower interest rates reduced reserve-related revenue during the first quarter. Circle shares closed at $131.76 on Monday, based on data from Yahoo Finance, leaving Bernsteins target roughly 44% above the current level. The analysts said Circle generated $694 million in Q1 revenue and reserve income, up 20% from a year earlier, although the figure came in around 4% below consensus expectations due to weaker reserve income. Adjusted EBITDA reached $151 million, about 10% ahead of analyst estimates, while Circle maintained what Bernstein described as









