USDC (USD Coin) is a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, issued by regulated financial institutions like Circle and Coinbase. In a coin pair (e.g., BTC/USDC), USDC acts as the quote currency, offering price stability compared to volatile crypto currencies. It’s commonly used for trading, remittances, and as a store of value in decentralized finance (DeFi). Traders prefer USDC pairs for quick, stable transactions without converting to fiat. Its value remains relatively constant, making it ideal for managing crypto portfolio risk and executing trades efficiently across exchanges.