In a strategic move aimed at reducing potential risks associated with United States debt defaults, stablecoin issuer Circle has reportedly made adjustments to its reserves treasury.
Circle’s CEO, Jeremy Allaire, revealed in the  Politico newsletter that, the company has modified the composition of reserves backing its USD Coin (USDC) by transitioning to short-dated U.S. Treasurys. The objective is to safeguard against any potential U.S. debt default scenarios.
Allaire emphasized that Circle no longer holds Treasuries maturing beyond early June, as the company aims to minimize its exposure to debt. Concerns about the U.S. government’s ability to honor its financial obligations motivated this decision. By avoiding the carrying of exposure through a potential breach, Circle seeks to insulate itself from potential fallout in the event of a debt default.
The Circle Reserve Fund, managed by Blackrock, currently holds holdings that mature no later than May 31, reinforcing the company’s commitment to shorter-term maturities. This move demonstrates Circle’s proactive approach to managing risks and protecting the stability of USDC.
Earlier this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that if Congress fails to raise the federal debt limit, the government would be forced into making difficult decisions. The conflicting views between President Joe Biden and Republicans on raising the $31.4 trillion borrowing limit have heightened concerns in the market.
The potential consequences of a U.S. debt default would ripple through the $24 trillion Treasury market and the global financial system, causing significant disruptions.
Tether, a rival stablecoin issuer, has also taken measures to address potential risks. According to the corporation, a large portion of its reserves are placed in Treasury bills with an average maturity of less than 90 days. This strategic positioning aligns with their goal of reducing reliance on pure bank deposits as a liquidity source, as stated in their May 10 quarterly assurance report.
In recent times, USDC has experienced a contraction in its supply, witnessing a 46% decline since reaching its all-time high of $56 billion in June 2022. Consequently, its market share has decreased to 23%, with a circulation amounting to $30 billion.
Also Read: Circle’s USDC Stablecoin De-peg Removed $10Bn Market Cap
On the other hand, Tether’s market dominance has risen to 62%, with a circulation of $82 billion. This shift in market dynamics can be attributed to various factors, including the impact of America’s regulatory stance on cryptocurrencies and the ongoing banking crisis, as previously pointed out by Allaire.
