Circle CRCL and Strategy MSTR are two of the most popular cryptocurrency-based stocks on the US stock market. Both have seen incredible growth in 2025, although CRCL has only been trading for a few months. Thanks to the surge of the crypto market in 2025, CRCL and MSFT have rewarded early investors with huge gains. However, looking into the near future, which crypto stock is the best for investing now?

While Strategy is the world’s largest bitcoin treasury company, holding 628,791 bitcoins as of July 29, 2025, Circle offers USDC stablecoin, which is redeemable on a one-for-one basis for U.S. dollars and is backed by reserves consisting of highly liquid, price-stable cash and cash equivalents. Both have their drivers that make their stocks valuable to investors, although for Circle CRCL, its ties to the rising stablecoin industry make it a bit more of an interesting investment opportunity.

Indeed, Circle is expected to benefit from the growing demand for the USDC stablecoin. At the end of the second quarter of 2025, USDC in circulation grew 90% year over year to $61.3 billion and has grown an additional 6.4% to $65.2 billion as of August 10. Additionally, USDC on-chain transaction volume grew 5.4 times year over year to nearly $6 trillion, reflecting growing usage.

What Else Pushes CRCL Ahead of MSTR?

Furthermore, CRCL may swing ahead of MSTR in terms of preferred crypto stock investments due to MSTR’s close ties to Bitcoin. As BTC slumped in August, so did MSTR shares and CRCL by big percentages. However, the continuous success and implementation of stablecoins on an institutional level could prove wonders for Circle and its stock. The launch of Circle Payments Network in May was also promising. Its expanding partner base that includes the likes of Binance, Corpay, FIS, Fiserv, and OKX, as well as recent earnings success, puts a bright light on CRCL.

Strategy (MSTR) benefits from its policy to hold bitcoin on its balance sheet. However, bitcoin’s uncertainty in price could help or harm MSTR investors without a consistent answer. Meanwhile, an improving regulatory environment and growing demand for stablecoins like USDC bode well for Circle’s long-term prospects. Thus, CRCL may be the better investment option on the current stock market over MSTR.