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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.circle.com/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Digital Asset Accounts assigns risk ratings to each end-customer account based on the verified business profile. These ratings determine transaction limits and capabilities.

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Risk tiers

Circle assigns one of four risk tiers to each end-customer account:
TierLabelDescription
LLowFully verified entities with established operating history and low-risk profiles
MMediumVerified entities with standard risk profiles
MHMedium-HighEntities requiring enhanced monitoring due to business type or jurisdiction
HHighEntities with elevated risk factors subject to stricter limits and review
Risk tiers are assigned during KYB verification as part of Circle’s compliance obligations. Factors include:
  • Business type and industry
  • Operating jurisdiction
  • Ownership structure
  • Transaction volume expectations

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Transaction limits

Each risk tier has associated limits that control the maximum values for different transaction types. Limits apply at multiple levels:

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Per-transaction limits

The maximum amount allowed for a single transaction. These limits vary by transaction type:
Transaction typeDescription
Wire depositMaximum fiat amount per wire deposit
Wire withdrawalMaximum fiat amount per wire withdrawal
Crypto transferMaximum stablecoin amount per outbound transfer
Internal transferMaximum stablecoin amount per internal movement
Specific limit values are defined in your program agreement and vary by risk tier. Query the account’s limits through the API to retrieve the current values for each transaction type.

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Rolling limits

Cumulative limits over a rolling time period. The applicable periods (such as daily, weekly, or monthly) are program-specific and vary by risk tier.

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Balance limits

The maximum stablecoin balance that an account can hold at any point. If a deposit or transfer would cause the balance to exceed this limit, the transaction is rejected.

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How ratings change

Risk ratings can change over time based on:
  • Periodic reviews: Circle periodically reviews account profiles and may adjust risk ratings based on updated information
  • Transaction patterns: Unusual transaction patterns may trigger a review that results in a rating change
  • Updated business information: Changes to the business profile, such as expansion to new jurisdictions, may affect the rating
Risk rating changes are managed by Circle’s compliance team. Distributors cannot directly modify the risk rating of an end-customer account.

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Checking limits

The API exposes current limits for each account through GET /v1/accounts/{accountId}/limits. Query this endpoint before initiating transactions to confirm the operation falls in the account’s current limits. If a transaction exceeds a limit, the API rejects the request with a 422 error. See the Digital Asset Accounts API reference for endpoint details.