Circle’s USDC freeze power faces fresh scrutiny after wallets were blocked while stolen funds moved

Circle’s biggest selling point may be becoming its biggest liability. On-chain investigator ZachXBT’s “Circle Files” allege that the USDC issuer has inconsistently applied its freeze powers. Circle was too slow in 15 cases involving more than $420 million in allegedly illicit funds since 2022, yet broad enough to sweep 16 operational business wallets in a sealed US civil matter. The wallets were tied to e…