$USDC (USD Coin) is a regulated, U.S. dollar–pegged stablecoin developed by Circle and Coinbase. Each USDC token is backed 1:1 by cash or short-term U.S. Treasury assets held in regulated financial institutions, making it a trusted choice for traders, investors, and businesses. It's widely used for payments, DeFi, and crypto trading due to its stability and transparency. USDC operates on multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon. Circle publishes monthly reserve audits, enhancing trust and compliance. Unlike algorithmic stablecoins, USDC maintains its peg through real asset backing, aiming to combine the benefits of crypto speed with fiat reliability.