What is USDC (USDC)?
RANK #6A regulated, fully-reserved US-dollar stablecoin issued by Circle.
USDC market stats
USDC at a glance
- Ticker
- USDC
- Launched
- 2018
- Category
- Stablecoin · USD-pegged
- Peg
- 1 USDC ≈ $1
- Issuer
- Circle
- Reserves
- Cash & short-dated US treasuries
Categories: Stablecoins · USD Stablecoin · Solana Ecosystem · Avalanche Ecosystem · Polygon Ecosystem · Near Protocol Ecosystem
How USDC works
USD Coin (USDC) is a major dollar-pegged stablecoin issued by Circle, known for its emphasis on regulation, transparency and fully-backed reserves. Like other stablecoins, it aims to keep each token worth about $1.
USDC is widely used in trading, payments and DeFi, and circulates across many blockchains. Circle publishes regular attestations of its reserves, which are held in cash and short-dated US treasuries.
USDC is minted when a dollar is deposited with the issuer and burned when redeemed, keeping supply matched to reserves. Holders can redeem USDC for dollars, which anchors the market price near $1.
It is a token issued on multiple blockchains, relying on those networks for settlement.
- USDC emphasises regulation and transparency, with reserves in cash and short-dated treasuries.
- Both target a $1 peg and are widely supported.
- Reserve composition and disclosure are the main points of comparison.
What USDC is used for
- Payments and on-chain dollar transfers.
- Trading pairs and settlement on exchanges.
- Collateral and liquidity in DeFi.
- Holding value with low volatility inside crypto.
USDC FAQ
Is USDC fully backed?
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Circle states that USDC is fully backed by cash and short-dated US treasuries, with regular third-party attestations. The main risks are reserve and regulatory in nature.
Is USDC safe?
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USDC is designed to stay near $1 and emphasises transparency. As with any stablecoin, the key risks are a loss of the peg and reserve integrity. Not financial advice.
Is USDC a good investment?
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USDC tracks the dollar rather than appreciating, so it is used for stability and utility. It is not a growth asset.
How do I get USDC?
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USDC is available on most exchanges and wallets across several blockchains. Pick the network that best fits your fees and use case.
This page is information, not financial advice. Prices come from CoinGecko; the text is written and checked by our desk. See our editorial policy.