CIRCLE PURSUES IPO—BUT TALKS WITH COINBASE AND RIPPLE COULD MEAN A SALE, SOURCES SAY: FORTUNE: INFINITYHEDGE

*There is a chance, though, that Circle’s IPO won’t come to fruition since the company has recently taken part in informal talks to sell itself to Coinbase or to Ripple, according to four banking and private equity executives

*Circle is seeking at least $5 billion

“If Coinbase wanted to buy them, Circle would sell in a heartbeat,” "Coinbase would still be viewed more favorably" one of the sources, a banker, said.