$USDC USDC (USD Coin) is a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio, designed to offer stability in the volatile crypto market. Launched in 2018 by Centre (backed by Circle and Coinbase), it is primarily built on the Ethereum blockchain, although it also operates on others like Solana and Polygon. Its value is backed by cash and cash equivalents (such as Treasury bonds), audited monthly to ensure transparency. USDC is widely used in DeFi, payments, and remittances, with a transaction volume exceeding $14 trillion by 2025. Its adoption is growing thanks to integrations with platforms like Mastercard (for stablecoin cards) and its regulatory compliance. However, it faces competition from USDT and criticism for centralization. As of May 2025, it remains one of the most reliable stablecoins, with a market capitalization in the tens of billions.