Binance Invests $100 Million in Circle as Five-Year USDC Partnership Expands
The development was reported by Cointelegraph, which said Binance is now a shareholder in the company behind USDC. Circle separately confirmed the investment and the expanded partnership on September 22, 2026.
Binance Takes Equity Stake in Circle
The $100 million investment was completed through a private placement of Circle Class A common stock. According to Circle, Binance purchased the shares at a price reflecting a five percent discount to Circle's market price before the transaction closed.
Cointelegraph reported that Circle issued Binance 1,237,011 shares at $80.84 per share in the transaction, which closed on September 17. Binance is subject to restrictions preventing it from selling, transferring, pledging or otherwise disposing of the shares for up to two years, subject to specified exceptions.
The investment gives Binance a direct equity position in Circle while extending the companies' existing commercial relationship around USDC.
Five-Year Agreement Focuses on USDC
Under the renewed agreement, Binance will promote USDC across its global platform, with particular emphasis on emerging markets. Circle will continue providing infrastructure services supporting the holding and use of USDC.
The agreement also includes a financial arrangement tied to USDC activity. Circle will pay Binance a monthly incentive fee based on the amount of USDC held through infrastructure connected to Circle's Modular Smart Contract Wallet services, while Binance undertakes additional activities to promote USDC on its platform.
The new five-year arrangement replaces agreements previously entered into by the two companies in November 2024 and August 2025. Either party can terminate the agreement early under specified conditions.
Binance and Circle Deepen Existing Relationship
The expanded arrangement places Binance's distribution platform and Circle's USDC infrastructure under a longer-term commercial framework.
Binance said the partnership is intended to increase USDC's availability across its global platform, particularly in emerging markets. Circle described the agreement as part of its effort to expand access to dollar-based digital financial infrastructure.
For Binance, the transaction adds an equity investment to its existing relationship with the stablecoin issuer. For Circle, the agreement provides an extended arrangement with one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges for promoting and supporting USDC.
The five-year commercial agreement is now the central framework for the companies' expanded cooperation, while Binance's Circle shares remain subject to the stated transfer restrictions for up to two years.
Writer: Ethan Collins
Crypto Journalist
Ethan Collins reports on developments across the cryptocurrency and blockchain sector. His work covers market movements, protocol updates, regulatory changes, and emerging trends in digital assets.
He focuses on presenting complex topics in a clear and accessible manner for a broad readership.
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