Circle Shares Rise 88%, Rally May Be Near the End
Circle (CRCL) has delivered an impressive 88 per cent rally in recent weeks, but the move appears to have largely run its course as the stock approaches key resistance levels. Markus Thielen’s latest chart shows CRCL surging from lows in late February to recent highs, outpacing Bitcoin significantly during the period, with the relative strength line peaking near 680 per cent before pulling back toward 320 per cent.
The rally validated earlier calls for upside potential in Circle, highlighted in Thielen’s February 25 Daily Insight when broader sentiment and positioning remained bearish. In less than three weeks, the stock gained nearly 100 per cent, driven by improving technicals, subdued liquidation activity, and a meaningful lift in sentiment indicators even as overall crypto trading volumes stayed low.
📊Today’s #Matrixport Daily Chart – March 16, 2026 ⬇️
The +88% Circle Rally Has Largely Played Out#Matrixport #Bitcoin #Crypto #CryptoMarket #MarketStructure pic.twitter.com/9uFtBj5MeS
— Matrixport Official (@Matrixport_EN) March 16, 2026
Shares of Circle Internet Group (CRCL) are showing strong bullish momentum in 2026, with analyst price targets ranging from about $65 to $280 and many forecasts averaging above $130. The rally has been driven by the rapid growth of USD Coin and increasing institutional adoption. However, analysts warn the stock could remain volatile, with performance also tied to interest rate decisions by the Federal Reserve.
Rally momentum fades near resistance
The chart tracks Circle price (left axis) against its relative performance to Bitcoin (right axis) from mid-2025 through mid-March 2026. After the explosive leg higher, CRCL has started consolidating near overhead supply, with the 30-day and 7-day moving averages flattening. This suggests the initial momentum burst has played out, and market attention may now shift toward other emerging opportunities as the stock tests resistance.
Technical setup and sentiment support broader view
Despite the pullback in relative strength, technical indicators continue to improve, and liquidation pressure remains contained. Thielen notes that understanding market structure and positioning rather than reacting to headlines or sentiment alone remains key. With sentiment having recovered meaningfully and volumes still subdued, conditions could be laying groundwork for more measured upside or rotation into other assets.
Meanwhile, Circle closed out 2025 with a powerful fourth quarter, underscoring accelerating global demand for its stablecoin infrastructure and digital asset products.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
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