USD Coin (USDC)
USDC is a fully backed, regulated stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the US dollar, enabling fast, low-cost, and programmable global payments on multiple blockchains.
Overview
USD Coin (USDC) is a regulated stablecoin fully backed 1:1 by US dollar reserves, designed to combine the reliability of the US dollar with the speed and programmability of blockchain technology. Issued by Circle, USDC enables near-instant, low-cost global payments and financial transactions across 28 native blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, Avalanche, and more. It supports 24/7 liquidity and real-time settlement, making it suitable for a wide range of financial applications from payments to trading and decentralized finance (DeFi).
USDC is built for developers and businesses seeking a stable digital dollar that is transparent, compliant, and widely accepted. Its reserves are held in cash and cash-equivalent assets managed by regulated financial institutions, with monthly attestations by a Big Four accounting firm to ensure full backing. The stablecoin is programmable money, allowing developers to integrate USDC into applications via open APIs and SDKs, enabling seamless value transfer as easily as data.
What sets USDC apart is its regulatory compliance and transparency, backed by Circle’s licenses and active engagement with regulators. It supports cross-chain interoperability through the Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP), allowing USDC to move seamlessly between supported blockchains. With over $33 trillion in all-time transaction volume and adoption by more than 21,000 banks, exchanges, wallets, and partners globally, USDC is one of the most liquid and trusted stablecoins in the market. Developers can get started by signing up for Circle’s Developer Console and accessing comprehensive documentation and APIs to mint, burn, transfer, and manage USDC within their applications.
The Problem
Global digital payments and financial applications require a stable, reliable digital dollar that can operate across multiple blockchains with regulatory compliance and transparency. Traditional banking systems are slow, costly, and limited in accessibility, while many cryptocurrencies suffer from volatility and lack of trust.
The Solution
Key Features
1:1 Redeemability for US Dollars
USDC can be redeemed 1:1 for US dollars, backed by cash and cash-equivalent reserves held in regulated banks.
Programmable Money APIs and SDKs
Developers can integrate USDC into applications using Circle’s open APIs and SDKs for minting, burning, transferring, and managing stablecoins.
24/7 Real-Time Settlement
USDC enables instant, low-cost payments and transfers globally, operating continuously without traditional banking delays.
Key Strengths
How Developers Use USD Coin (USDC)
Cross-Border Payments for Businesses
Companies use USDC to send and receive payments globally in seconds, reducing costs and eliminating delays associated with traditional banking.
DeFi Protocol Liquidity and Trading
DeFi developers integrate USDC as a stable asset for lending, borrowing, and trading on decentralized exchanges and platforms.
Programmable Financial Applications
Developers build next-generation financial apps that leverage USDC’s programmable APIs for automated payments, subscriptions, and tokenized assets.
Works Well WithEthereumSolanaAlgorandStellar
Base
Arbitrum One
Optimism
NEAR
Celo
Polkadot
Polygon PoS
Avalanche
Hedera
zkSync Era
Noble
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Mayan Finance
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Pricing
Standard | |
|---|---|
| Price (Monthly) | Custom pricing |
| Price (Annual) | Custom pricing |
| Messaging | N/A |
| Support | Enterprise-grade support available |
| Analytics |
Resources
Circle provides extensive developer resources including detailed documentation, API references, sample projects, and a developer console to facilitate integration and usage of USDC across multiple blockchains.