However, there is no verifiable evidence to support this claim.
Some crypto commentators have pointed out that Circle’s IPO valuation stands at approximately $5 billion, making the rumored $20 billion bid appear highly implausible. Circle, the issuer of the world’s second-largest stablecoin, previously postponed its IPO due to market volatility and regulatory uncertainty, raising broader questions about its financial stability.
The fresh speculation arose after several social media accounts claimed Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse had made a renewed, more aggressive offer. While crypto news outlets picked up the story, Garlinghouse has made no public comment, and users were quick to caution against jumping to conclusions without confirmed facts.
Industry voices, including EasyA co-founder Dom Kwok, emphasized that the $5 billion valuation is consistent with Ripple’s original offer and reflects Circle’s true market value. Although Circle manages over $60 billion in collateral, it does not own those assets—undermining the notion that the company is worth four times its IPO valuation.
Interestingly, the $20 billion rumor didn’t appear to affect the crypto markets as dramatically as previous misinformation episodes. Other recent false claims—like the supposed approval of an XRP ETF or reports of Worldcoin integration with OpenAI—sparked more significant reactions.
In the end, the credibility of the $20 billion rumor remains weak. Whether traders took the claim seriously or dismissed it outright is unclear, but the limited market response suggests growing skepticism. As the crypto sector matures, it will need to better insulate itself from volatility driven by unverified reports.
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