Circle Acquires Interop Labs Team and IP

2 mins mins

Key Points:

Circle to acquire Interop Labs by 2026
Involves only the team and proprietary assets
Promotes further technological advancements

Circle, the issuer of USDC, has agreed to acquire Interop Labs and its intellectual property, with the transaction expected to complete by early 2026.

This acquisition strengthens Circle’s position in blockchain interoperability and aims to enhance its projects, while the Axelar network continues independently despite market speculations.

Circle to Finalize Acquiring Interop Labs by 2026

Circle announced on December 16 the acquisition of the Interop Labs team and its intellectual property. The acquisition, expected by early 2026, aims to integrate the technologies of Interop Labs, an instrumental contributor to Axelar’s cross-chain framework, with Circle’s initiatives.

The acquisition involves only the Interop Labs team and proprietary assets, leaving Axelar’s network, foundation, and token operations independent. This structure is designed to facilitate continued innovation without disrupting Axelar’s governance or open-source commitments.

This acquisition strategically positions Circle to expand its role in the interoperability space, supporting its vision of an interconnected blockchain economy.

Industry reactions remain limited, with no statements from Circle executives or Axelar leadership confirming the event. The market has yet to show significant shifts, with no evident on-chain or exchange data implying immediate financial impact.

Stable USDC Dominates Amid Acquisition News

Did you know? Interop Labs, a significant contributor to cross-chain frameworks, aligns perfectly with Circle’s historical emphasis on interoperability, reinforcing their foundational ethos as market leaders in blockchain finance.

USDC holds steady at $1.00 with a market cap of $78.46 billion, representing 2.66% market dominance, according to CoinMarketCap. Trading volume surged by 124.83% over the last 24 hours, reflecting a stable market environment despite the acquisition news.

usdc-daily-chart-346 — USDC(USDC), daily chart, screenshot on CoinMarketCap at 17:03 UTC on December 15, 2025. *Source: CoinMarketCap*

Experts from Coincu suggest that the integration of Interop Labs could drive further technological advancements, promoting broader blockchain interoperability. Historical data indicates that acquisitions like this often pave the way for new enterprise applications, potentially enhancing blockchain network efficiency and scalability.

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