Key Updates and Endorsements
Circle, the issuer of the US Dollar Coin (USDC), has updated its Terms of Service to explicitly permit legally permissible firearm purchases using USDC. This change clarifies previous ambiguous restrictions and aligns with the protections of the Second Amendment. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) applauds the update as a vital affirmation of lawful commerce rights in the crypto space.
Circle has officially updated its Terms of Service to state that USDC can be used for lawful firearm purchases. Previously, the policy was less clear, prompting concerns among gun rights advocates about access to stablecoin-based payments for legal gun sales. This move comes after engagement with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), which hailed the change as a necessary recognition of constitutional rights in the digital economy.
Senator Cynthia Lummis weighed in, stating that Circle’s decision to permit legal firearm purchases with its stablecoin supports lawful gun owners by aligning its terms of service with existing legal requirements. This move defends constitutional rights and protects financial systems from being misused against law-abiding individuals and legal industries.
After discussions w/ Circle, I’m glad they now allow legal firearm purchases using its stablecoin. By aligning its terms of service w/ existing legal requirements, Circle defends constitutional rights & ensures financial systems can’t be weaponized against law-abiding gun owners. pic.twitter.com/zQvxAD8G2i
— Senator Cynthia Lummis (@SenLummis) November 5, 2025
Broader Implications for Crypto and Second Amendment Rights
The update highlights the growing role stablecoins play in modern payment infrastructure and the potential impact of private companies’ policies on constitutional freedoms. The NSSF cautions that Americans must remain vigilant to attempts to restrict lawful commerce under vague claims, such as “risk management.” Circle’s rapid response to revise its terms is seen as a positive signal in protecting Second Amendment rights within the growing crypto ecosystem. This development contrasts with the broader discourse surrounding crypto censorship and ideological gatekeeping, highlighting that digital finance decisions have real-world consequences for rights and freedoms.
Meanwhile, Circle and ClearBank have formed a strategic partnership to boost stablecoin adoption in Europe. ClearBank, a UK-based cloud clearing bank, has joined the Circle Payments Network (CPN), enabling faster, cheaper, and more secure cross-border digital transactions by integrating traditional banking with blockchain settlement solutions. This collaboration expands access to Circle’s USDC and EURC stablecoins via the Circle Mint platform and paves the way for future financial innovations like stablecoin-powered treasury management and tokenized asset solutions.