Circle’s Blockbuster IPO Signals Renewed Investor Appetite for Crypto Listings

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Stablecoin issuer Circle made a powerful Wall Street debut on Thursday, raising $1.05 billion in its initial public offering, a move that analysts say could inspire a new wave of crypto companies to pursue public listings amid renewed optimism in the digital asset sector.

Circle priced its shares at $31 on Wednesday. Investor enthusiasm drove shares to open at $69 on the New York Stock Exchange and close at $83.23, underscoring the strong appetite for crypto-related equities. This marks the first major crypto IPO since Coinbase went public in 2021, signaling a potential resurgence for the sector.

Experts believe Circle’s successful IPO could pave the way for other crypto firms like Kraken and Gemini to consider public offerings. “It would not be surprising if other crypto companies follow suit,” said Jacob Zuller, an analyst at Third Bridge. “Public markets have accepted that crypto is not going away.”

Circle’s primary business centers around USDC, a stablecoin pegged to the U.S. dollar that facilitates instant digital payments and trading in the cryptocurrency markets. CEO Jeremy Allaire described the IPO as the culmination of a long-term vision: “We’ve had a deep conviction from the inception of the company that we could build a new infrastructure for money, built on the internet, that could radically reshape the utility of money.”

The IPO’s success reflects not only Circle’s business model but also broader shifts in the political and regulatory landscape. U.S. President Donald Trump has embraced the crypto industry, vowing to support its growth if elected. Since taking office, Trump has established a cryptocurrency working group and hosted industry leaders at the White House. Legislative efforts to create a federal regulatory framework for stablecoins are also gaining momentum in Congress.

Market observers see Circle’s public debut as a broader signal of renewed confidence in both crypto and fintech IPOs. NYSE Group President Lynn Martin called the offering “a bellwether for the IPO markets this year, not just for crypto listings.” Other fintechs have also found success recently, with retail brokerage eToro surging 34% in its May Nasdaq debut and digital banking startup Chime targeting an $11 billion valuation for its upcoming IPO.

After the collapse of FTX in 2022, institutional investors had largely pulled back from crypto markets. But with prices recovering and regulatory clarity improving, investment firms are once again showing strong interest. “There’s a plethora of high-tech and blockchain-focused investment funds that have been starved of new issues for a long time,” said Sui Chung, CEO of crypto index provider CF Benchmarks.

The Circle IPO underscores how shifting regulatory winds and growing institutional demand may soon trigger a new chapter for publicly listed crypto companies.

UN Report: AI Boom Drives 150% Surge in Tech Giants’ Indirect Emissions

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A new United Nations report revealed on Thursday that indirect carbon emissions from the operations of four major AI-driven tech giants—Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta—rose by an average of 150% between 2020 and 2023. The sharp increase is largely driven by the vast energy demands of data centers powering artificial intelligence systems.

The report, published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the U.N.’s digital technologies agency, analyzed the greenhouse gas emissions of 200 leading digital companies over the three-year period. Indirect emissions include those generated from purchased electricity, heating, cooling, and steam consumed by a company’s operations.

Among the companies surveyed, Amazon posted the largest rise, with operational carbon emissions soaring 182% over the period. Microsoft followed with a 155% increase, while Meta and Alphabet saw rises of 145% and 138%, respectively.

The growing reliance on AI has led to surging energy demands, with electricity consumption from data centers growing four times faster than overall global electricity usage, according to the ITU. The report projects that carbon emissions from top-emitting AI systems could eventually reach 102.6 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, further straining existing energy infrastructures.

In response, several companies highlighted their ongoing sustainability efforts. Meta referred Reuters to its sustainability report, stating that it is taking steps to reduce emissions, energy use, and water consumption in its data centers. Amazon emphasized its investments in carbon-free energy projects, including both nuclear and renewable sources. Microsoft pointed to its recent progress in improving energy efficiency, including transitioning to chip-level liquid cooling technologies that consume less energy than traditional cooling systems.

However, the ITU noted that while more digital companies are setting ambitious emissions targets, many of these commitments have yet to translate into meaningful reductions in actual emissions. The report underscores the growing challenge of balancing AI’s rapid expansion with environmental sustainability.

EU Pledges Global Digital Cooperation Amid Strained U.S. Ties

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The European Union announced on Thursday a new International Digital Strategy to strengthen cooperation with global partners, aiming to enhance its competitiveness and promote a rules-based digital order. The move comes as tensions with the United States escalate over EU regulations targeting major American tech firms.

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen emphasized the bloc’s determination to remain a “stable and reliable partner” in the global digital landscape, despite growing geopolitical challenges. “We are living through a profound digital revolution that is reshaping economies and societies worldwide,” Virkkunen said during a press conference. “In this environment, the EU is stepping forward as a stable and reliable partner, deeply committed to digital cooperation with our allies and partners.”

The strategy outlines cooperation across multiple sectors, including energy, transport, finance, health, cybersecurity, emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing, and digital governance that supports democratic values and social cohesion. Protecting children on online platforms is also a key focus area.

The announcement follows increasing U.S. criticism of the EU’s tech regulations, particularly the Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, which aim to curb the influence of major tech companies. Washington has accused Brussels of unfairly targeting American firms and even threatened retaliatory tariffs following heavy fines imposed on U.S. tech giants.

Virkkunen explained that the EU’s digital plan rests on two core pillars: enhancing the bloc’s own competitiveness in strategic technologies and supporting partner nations in achieving their digital transformation objectives. “No country or region can lead the technological revolution alone,” she stressed, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to creating a global digital framework rooted in democratic principles and fundamental values.

The 27-country bloc sees its proactive engagement with international partners as a way to counterbalance strained transatlantic relations while asserting its leadership in shaping global digital standards.