USD Coin (USDC) is a regulated stablecoin designed to maintain a 1:1 peg with the U.S. dollar. Issued by Circle, USDC is backed by fully reserved assets, including cash and short-term U.S. Treasury securities held in segregated accounts with regulated U.S. financial institutions.
Circle
Launched in 2018 through a collaboration between Circle and Coinbase, USDC operates primarily as an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain but is also available on other platforms like Solana, Algorand, and Polygon. This multi-chain availability enhances its utility for various applications, including trading, lending, and global payments.
USDC's transparency is bolstered by monthly attestations from third-party firms, ensuring that the reserves match the circulating supply. Its stability and regulatory compliance have made it a preferred choice for businesses and individuals seeking a reliable digital dollar for transactions and as a hedge against volatility.
As of May 8, 2025, USDC continues to play a significant role in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, facilitating seamless and secure value transfer across various platforms.