Circle shares rise 6.72% as OCC issues final GENIUS Act rule

Circle Internet shares gained 6.72% to $91.79 at publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data. The advance came as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) issued a final rule implementing the GENIUS Act and Bitcoin rose. Bitcoin traded at $84,618.75 on Wednesday after gaining 2.03% over 24 hours. The Nasdaq rose 1.11%. The S&P 500 advanced 0.44%.

The OCC's final rule covers payment stablecoin issuance and associated activities by entities within the agency's jurisdiction. The OCC also changed weekly and quarterly reporting forms for permitted payment stablecoin issuers, initially proposed in June 2026. Subject to U.S. Office of Management and Budget approval, the weekly form becomes effective for the January 25, 2027, report date. The quarterly form becomes effective for the March 31, 2027, report date, subject to the same approval.

Needham analyst John Todaro retained a Buy rating on Circle on Wednesday. Todaro increased the price target from $130 to $134.

At the $90.40 price used for technical analysis, Circle traded 7.3% above the 20-day simple moving average of $84.30. Circle also traded 5% above the 200-day simple moving average of $86.13. Circle's position above major moving averages kept the intermediate trend positive. However, the 20-day simple moving average remained below the 50-day simple moving average, a bearish crossover indicating that the stock was still recovering from earlier weakness.

Circle shares remained down 30.34% over the past 12 months. Investors expecting gains generally want progressively higher peaks above the late-summer and early-fall pivot area. Technical resistance stands at $100, a round-number level where rallies often pause because traders take profits or reconsider positions. Technical support stands at $78.50, an earlier buying area near the stock's recent lower trading range. The Technology sector declined 3.47% over the past 30 days. However, the Technology sector gained 5.40% over the past 90 days, consistent with a decline followed by recovery.