$USDC (USD Coin) is a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, meaning one USDC is designed to always equal one dollar. It is issued by Circle and governed by the Centre Consortium, which includes Circle and Coinbase. USDC is widely used in the cryptocurrency ecosystem for trading, decentralized finance (DeFi), and remittances. It's backed by cash and short-term U.S. government bonds, with reserves regularly audited for transparency. USDC runs on multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon, allowing fast and low-cost transactions. Its stability and regulatory focus make it a popular choice for both individuals and institutions.