Circle has applied for a national trust bank license in the U.S. following its successful IPO that valued the company at nearly $18 billion. If approved, the license would allow Circle to manage reserves, provide custody services for digital assets, but not accept cash deposits or make loans.

Circle's recent S-1 filing reveals its reliance on interest income from USDC reserves, which has made it profitable but exposes structural vulnerabilities, including overdependence on high interest rates and limited revenue diversification. As the stablecoin market evolves, Circle faces challenges from emerging competitors and changing market dynamics that could threaten its long-term sustainability.