Kaplan v Circle Internet Group Inc.

Holding The court granted Circle’s motion to dismiss, holding that Circle owed no duty of care to the plaintiff absent a prior relationship or court order, and that its inaction did not constitute aiding and abetting. The court denied Uneven Labs’ motion to dismiss without prejudice, finding that the plaintiff made a sufficient start to establish personal jurisdiction to warrant discovery.

The court’s words

Circle was not under a legal duty to freeze the USDC remaining in John Doe's wallet upon request by Plaintiff

2026 NY Slip Op 26202, at the official text

Circle's purported inaction in response to Plaintiff's does not constitute aiding and abetting John Doe's theft

2026 NY Slip Op 26202, at the official text

Plaintiff has made a "sufficient start" to establishing personal jurisdiction so as to warrant jurisdictional discovery

2026 NY Slip Op 26202, at the official text

Circle is not responsible for any losses or other issues you might encounter using USDC on non-Circle platforms

2026 NY Slip Op 26202, at the official text

Mere inaction by an alleged aider or abettor constitutes substantial assistance only if the defendant owes a fiduciary duty directly to the plaintiff

2026 NY Slip Op 26202, at the official text