$USDC is a type of cryptocurrency known as a stablecoin, pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. It was launched in 2018 by Centre, a consortium founded by Circle and Coinbase. USDC is designed to provide the stability of fiat currency with the advantages of blockchain technology. Each USDC token is backed by a dollar held in reserve, audited regularly for transparency. It operates on multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche, making it widely accessible. USDC is commonly used for trading, remittances, decentralized finance (DeFi), and payments, offering fast, low-cost, and borderless transactions in the digital economy.