Binance Acquires $100 Million Circle Stake In Five Year USDC Partnership

Binance has purchased $100 million worth of Circle shares as part of a new five year agreement under which the crypto exchange will promote the USDC stablecoin across its platform.

Share Purchase Details

According to a regulatory filing, Circle issued Binance 1.24 million Class A shares at $80.84 each through a private placement that closed on September 17. The price came at a discount to Circle’s market value ahead of the sale. Binance is barred from selling, transferring, or hedging the shares for two years, or until the commercial agreement ends under certain conditions, though it retains voting rights over them.

Expanded USDC Promotion Deal

The equity purchase accompanied an expanded partnership between the two companies. Circle will pay Binance a monthly incentive fee based on the amount of USDC held through its Modular Smart Contract Wallet service, while Binance carries out promotional activities to support the stablecoin’s growth. This new agreement replaces earlier USDC partnerships the two companies signed in November 2024 and August 2025, and either side can exit early if specific conditions are met.

Private Placement Comes With Resale Limits

Because the shares were sold through an unregistered private placement, Binance’s ability to resell them is restricted unless they are formally registered or a legal exemption applies. The share sale closed immediately after Circle’s subsidiaries signed the related commercial agreements.