Crypto’s smart money – which Nansen defines as everything from institutions to large traders – is dropping Circle’s USDC, on-chain data shows.

CoinDesk - Unknown

(Nansen.ai)

According to data from Nansen, the total balance of USDC in smart money wallets is approximately $485 million across 1,396 wallets. This is down from $700 million in 1,455 wallets a month ago and $1.02 billion in 1,478 wallets a year ago.

Meanwhile, the percentage of smart money in all stablecoins has dropped to 21. At the start of the year, it was near 30, and hit an all-time high of 38 at the end of August 2022.

This skepticism of USDC by crypto’s biggest holders is likely impairing the ability for USDC to regain its peg.

CoinDesk - Unknown

(Nansen.ai)

Nansen reports that the supply of USDC on exchanges is up 8 compared to a week ago.

CoinGecko data says that USDC is currently trading at 98 cents. Across all exchanges, Kraken is the closest to regaining its peg, with the USDC-USD price coming in at 99.22 cents.

On Binance, USDC-USDT perpetual futures contracts, are trading at 98.72 cents, slightly ahead of the spot price of 98 cents, implying that some traders are optimistic the peg will be restored.