Circle Raises $110Mn With Plans to Launch USD-Backed Coin

The cryptocurrency based firm Circle announced it has raised $110Mn USD in a Series E fundraising round led by the Chinese firm Bitmain Technologies. Circle now joins Coinbase as one of the most well-funded cryptocurrency companies in the U.S., and the Boston-based firm has announced plans to issue a dollar-backed cryptocurrency called USD-C.

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Circle Raises $110Mn — Plans to Launch Stablecoin

Circle has big plans ahead for its latest mobile project called ‘Centre’ while also revealing its plans to create a stable coin much like the currency Tether (USDT). Furthermore, the firm has raised $110Mn in a Series E funding round that included investors such as Bitmain Technologies, Blockchain Capital, Pantera, Digital Currency Group and other venture firms. In addition to the injection of capital, Circle says it is planning to launch a new cryptocurrency that is backed by the price and reserves of USD.

The company’s new token will be called ‘USD-C’ and based off of the Ethereum network. According to the Circle, the firm’s subsidiary ‘Centre’ project will manage the USD-C protocol. Circle feels a cryptocurrency that is tied to a fiat currency can add more value to the blockchain ecosystem.

“It is difficult to use something like bitcoin if the volatility is so high,” Circle’s founder and CEO Jeremy Allaire explains. “Something like this makes it more possible.”

A Partnership With Bitmain

Circle also detailed that Bitmain will also be helping with the Centre project and the USD-C launch. “Bitmain will help Centre introduce multiple fiat stablecoins in a variety of geo-currency zones,” the company explains. Moreover, the company takes a jab at other ‘stablecoins’ utilized in the markets right now that lack transparency as the firm states:

Existing fiat-backed approaches have lacked financial and operational transparency, have operated in unregulated jurisdictions with unknown banking and audit partners, and have been built as closed-loop ecosystems and closed proprietary technologies.

Circle says despite celebrating their fifth anniversary this fall they feel like they are just getting started. In addition to Centre and the new USD-C token that will launch this summer, Circle says it also has plans for Circle Invest, Circle Trade, Circle Pay, and the newly acquired Poloniex exchange.

“We see the future of the global economy as open, shared, inclusive, distributed, and powerful — not only for a few chosen gatekeepers, but for all who will connect,” Circle adds.

What do you think about Circle raising $110Mn in a funding round led by Bitmain? What do you think about this new USD-C idea they have? Let us know your thoughts on this subject in the comments below.

Images via Shutterstock, Bitmain, and Circle.

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