Ark Invest Buys $5.5 Million in Circle Shares as Strong Q1 Earnings Push Stock Higher

Ark Invest, the investment firm led by Cathie Wood, purchased approximately $5.5 million worth of Circle Internet Group shares on May 11, following a strong rally in the stablecoin company’s stock after its first-quarter earnings report.

The investment firm bought 41,904 Circle shares across three exchange-traded funds, including ARK Innovation (ARKK), ARK Next Generation Internet (ARKW), and ARK Fintech Innovation (ARKF). The purchase marked Ark’s first addition to its Circle position since March.

Circle’s stock reacted positively to the company’s latest financial update, closing 15.91% higher at $131.76. The shares have gained nearly 50% over the past month and are up more than 66% since the start of 2026.

Circle Reports Strong Revenue Growth in Q1

Circle posted $694 million in total revenue and reserve income for Q1 2026, representing a 20% year-over-year increase. The company also reported $55 million in net income, although profits declined 15% compared to the same period last year.

USDC continued to show strong growth, with circulation reaching $77 billion, up 28% year-over-year. Meanwhile, USDC onchain transaction volume surged 263% to $21.5 trillion, highlighting growing usage across digital payments and blockchain activity.

Circle Raises $222 Million for Arc Blockchain Project

In addition to earnings, Circle revealed it raised $222 million through a token presale for Arc, its institutional blockchain platform, at a $3 billion fully diluted valuation.

Major investors participating in the funding round included a16z crypto, BlackRock, Apollo, and Intercontinental Exchange, signaling strong institutional backing for Circle’s expansion into blockchain infrastructure.