CRCL
Circle Internet Group
Financial - Capital Markets
Market Cap$8.28B
5Y Perf.-37.5%
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Stock Comparison
CRCL vs PYPL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
Financial - Credit Services
Market Cap$40.77B
5Y Perf.-37.8%
CRCL vs PYPL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | CRCL | PYPL |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Financial - Capital Markets | Financial - Credit Services |
| Market Cap | $8.28B | $40.77B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.68B | $33.17B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-154M | $5.06B |
| Gross Margin | 23.6% | 46.6% |
| Operating Margin | 10.0% | 18.3% |
| Forward P/E | 122.3x | 8.7x |
| Total Debt | $41M | $9.99B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $751M | $8.05B |
CRCL vs PYPL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
CRCL
PYPL
| Stock | Jun 25 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle Internet Gro… (CRCL) | 100 | 62.5 | -37.5% |
| PayPal Holdings, In… (PYPL) | 100 | 62.2 | -37.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CRCL vs PYPL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: CRCL leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. PayPal Holdings, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
CRCL
Circle Internet Group
The Banking Pick
CRCL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 15.6%, EPS growth -46.2%
- 265.6% 10Y total return vs PYPL's 17.4%
- 15.6% NII/revenue growth vs PYPL's 4.3%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
PYPL
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
The Banking Pick
PYPL is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 1.39, yield 0.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.39, Low D/E 49.3%, current ratio 1.29x
- Beta 1.39, yield 0.3%, current ratio 1.29x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CRCL | 15.6% NII/revenue growth vs PYPL's 4.3% |
| Value | PYPL | Lower P/E (8.7x vs 122.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | CRCL | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs PYPL's 0.3% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | PYPL | Beta 1.39 vs CRCL's 2.84 |
| Dividends | PYPL | 0.3% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | CRCL | +265.6% vs PYPL's -32.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | CRCL | Efficiency ratio 0.1% vs PYPL's 0.3% |
CRCL vs PYPL — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
CRCL vs PYPL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLPYPLLAGGINGCRCL
CRCLCircle Internet Group
1leads
PYPLPayPal Holdings, Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CRCLMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
PYPL3/4
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PYPL6/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
PYPL6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
CRCL6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
PYPL2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
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—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PYPL leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PYPL is the larger business by revenue, generating $33.2B annually — 19.8x CRCL's $1.7B. PYPL is the more profitable business, keeping 15.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to CRCL's 9.3%.
| Metric | CRCLCircle Internet G… | PYPLPayPal Holdings, … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.7B | $33.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$37M | $6.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$154M | $5.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $346M | $5.5B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +23.6% | +46.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +10.0% | +18.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.3% | +15.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +18.2% | +16.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -6.2% |
PYPL leads this category, winning 3 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PYPL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 8.5x trailing earnings, PYPL trades at a 84% valuation discount to CRCL's 53.2x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, PYPL's 6.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CRCL's 34.7x.
| Metric | CRCLCircle Internet G… | PYPLPayPal Holdings, … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $8.3B | $40.8B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $7.6B | $42.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 53.22x | 8.54x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 122.30x | 8.71x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.97x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 34.72x | 6.08x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.94x | 1.23x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 14.51x | 2.21x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.10x | 7.33x |
PYPL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PYPL leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PYPL delivers a 25.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $25 in annual profit, vs $-5 for CRCL. CRCL carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PYPL's 0.49x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PYPL scores 8/9 vs CRCL's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | CRCLCircle Internet G… | PYPLPayPal Holdings, … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -5.1% | +25.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.2% | +6.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +11.7% | +15.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.9% | +18.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.07x | 0.49x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$710M | $1.9B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $751M | $8.0B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $41M | $10.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -110.24x | 19.28x |
PYPL leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CRCL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CRCL five years ago would be worth $36,565 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,835 for PYPL. Over the past 12 months, CRCL leads with a +265.6% total return vs PYPL's -32.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CRCL at 54.1% vs PYPL's -14.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | CRCLCircle Internet G… | PYPLPayPal Holdings, … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +35.8% | -20.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +265.6% | -32.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +265.6% | -38.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +265.6% | -81.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +265.6% | +17.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +54.1% | -14.9% |
CRCL leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PYPL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PYPL is the less volatile stock with a 1.39 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CRCL's 2.84 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PYPL currently trades 58.1% from its 52-week high vs CRCL's 37.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | CRCLCircle Internet G… | PYPLPayPal Holdings, … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.84x | 1.39x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $298.99 | $79.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $31.00 | $38.46 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +37.9% | +58.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 63.3 | 40.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 16.7M | 15.4M |
PYPL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CRCL as "Buy" and PYPL as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 11.8% upside for PYPL (target: $52) vs -5.5% for CRCL (target: $107). PYPL is the only dividend payer here at 0.29% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | CRCLCircle Internet G… | PYPLPayPal Holdings, … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $107.14 | $51.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 10 | 70 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.13 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +14.8% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
PYPL leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). CRCL leads in 1 (Total Returns).
Best OverallPayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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CRCL vs PYPL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CRCL or PYPL a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Circle Internet Group (CRCL) is the stronger pick with 15.
6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL). PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL) offers the better valuation at 8. 5x trailing P/E (8. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Circle Internet Group (CRCL) a "Buy" — based on 10 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — CRCL or PYPL?
On trailing P/E, PayPal Holdings, Inc.
(PYPL) is the cheapest at 8. 5x versus Circle Internet Group at 53. 2x. On forward P/E, PayPal Holdings, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CRCL or PYPL?
Over the past 5 years, Circle Internet Group (CRCL) delivered a total return of +265.
6%, compared to -81. 6% for PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CRCL returned +265. 6% versus PYPL's +17. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — CRCL or PYPL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), PayPal Holdings, Inc.
(PYPL) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 39β versus Circle Internet Group's 2. 84β — meaning CRCL is approximately 104% more volatile than PYPL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Circle Internet Group (CRCL) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 49% for PayPal Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CRCL or PYPL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Circle Internet Group (CRCL) is pulling ahead at 15.
6% versus 4. 3% for PayPal Holdings, Inc. (PYPL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PayPal Holdings, Inc. grew EPS 35. 6% year-over-year, compared to -46. 2% for Circle Internet Group. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — CRCL or PYPL?
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
(PYPL) is the more profitable company, earning 15. 8% net margin versus 9. 3% for Circle Internet Group — meaning it keeps 15. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PYPL leads at 18. 3% versus 10. 0% for CRCL. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PYPL leads at 46. 6%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is CRCL or PYPL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, PayPal Holdings, Inc.
(PYPL) trades at 8. 7x forward P/E versus 122. 3x for Circle Internet Group — 113. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PYPL: 11. 8% to $51. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — CRCL or PYPL?
In this comparison, PYPL (0.
3% yield) pays a dividend. CRCL does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is CRCL or PYPL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, PayPal Holdings, Inc.
(PYPL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding. Circle Internet Group (CRCL) carries a higher beta of 2. 84 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PYPL: +17. 4%, CRCL: +265. 6%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between CRCL and PYPL?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: CRCL is a small-cap high-growth stock; PYPL is a mid-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(CRCL: 15.6% · PYPL: 4.3%)Net Margin>
%
(CRCL: 9.3% · PYPL: 15.8%)P/E Ratio<
x
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