$USDC is gaining traction as the preferred stablecoin for cross-border payments, DeFi protocols, and tokenized real-world assets. Its consistent peg and regulatory alignment make it the go-to choice for on-chain dollar liquidity. Daily active addresses holding $USDC have increased 18% over the past quarter, with usage on L2s like Arbitrum and Base accelerating. Integration with traditional fintech rails is expanding, driving higher transaction volume through on-chain wallets and custodial platforms. USDC’s role in automated yield strategies is also growing, especially in protocols offering low-volatility staking or real-world asset exposure. On-chain data shows a 12% increase in smart contracts interacting with USDC since April, indicating growing developer interest. With the GENIUS Act passing the Senate, regulatory tailwinds are expected to support broader institutional adoption. Unlike volatile crypto assets, USDC is becoming core infrastructure for decentralized and hybrid finance. Liquidity, transparency, and speed—not price action—are making $USDC an essential part of the digital asset ecosystem.