Circle Founder’s Incremental Buy Signals Long‑Term Confidence Amid Stablecoin Struggles

Insider Buying Amid Volatile Stablecoin Landscape

In a routine 4‑form filing, Circle Internet Group’s co‑founder and board member Horowitz Bradley purchased 118 shares of Class A common stock on 18 Feb 2026 at a price of $63.02 per share—just above the day’s close of $61.92. The transaction, which increased his holdings to 697 shares, occurs against a backdrop of sharp analyst downgrades and a 4.96 % weekly rally in the stock, suggesting a cautiously optimistic stance from a key insider. The trade’s positive social‑media sentiment (+42) and moderate buzz (80 %) indicate that investors are monitoring the move more closely than usual, but not with alarm.

What the Trade Signals to Investors

For an investor, an insider purchase is a conventional “buy” signal, but its weight depends on context. Circle’s market cap of $15.8 bn sits amid intense competition from regulated fintech players such as Stripe’s Bridge unit, and the firm’s stable‑coin platform has yet to deliver sustained revenue growth. Horowitz’s purchase—though modest in dollar terms—may be interpreted as confidence in the company’s long‑term positioning rather than a short‑term profit play. The timing, just days before the Q4 earnings release, suggests an insider belief that the upcoming report will clarify valuation concerns and potentially unlock upside.

Horowitz Bradley: A Transaction Profile

Horowitz’s insider history shows a pattern of incremental buying: 116 shares in December 2025, 117 shares in January 2026, and 118 shares in February 2026. Each purchase follows a period of modest share price appreciation (from $59.80 in late January to $63.02 in February). Unlike some executives who cycle large blocks of shares, Horowitz’s acquisitions are small, spread over several months, and always at or above the market price. This behavior aligns with a “long‑term holder” profile: buying during dips or steady climbs, avoiding large sales that could signal distress. The steady increase in holdings from 346 to 697 shares—double his December position—indicates a gradual accumulation rather than a speculative trade.

Implications for Circle’s Future

The insider buying, coupled with recent analyst downgrades, paints a mixed picture. On one side, the company faces regulatory scrutiny and competitive pressure; on the other, a key founder’s continued stake suggests belief in a viable product pipeline. The upcoming earnings will be decisive: if Circle can demonstrate a clear path to monetizing its stable‑coin network and securing bank charter partnerships, the stock could rebound from the 13.24 % monthly decline. Conversely, failure to address profitability concerns could see the share price slide toward the 52‑week low of $4.50. For portfolio managers, Horowitz’s incremental buys provide a baseline confidence metric, but the broader macro‑environment of digital‑finance uncertainty remains a key risk factor.

Bottom Line

Horowitz Bradley’s latest purchase is a modest yet positive insider signal that may reassure investors wary of Circle’s volatile sector. The trade’s context—amid analyst downgrades and a competitive shift in the stable‑coin arena—suggests a long‑term bet rather than a quick profit play. Investors should watch the Q4 earnings for clarity on revenue trajectories and regulatory progress, which will determine whether this insider confidence translates into sustainable share‑price momentum.