USDC (USD Coin) is a type of cryptocurrency known as a stablecoin. It is backed by the US dollar, meaning 1 USDC is always equal to 1 USD. This makes it less volatile than other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum.

USDC was launched in 2018 by a company called Circle, in partnership with Coinbase, a well-known cryptocurrency exchange. It is managed by an organization called Centre Consortium.

USDC is built on blockchain technology, mainly on the Ethereum network, but it is also available on other blockchains like Solana and Polygon. Every time someone buys USDC with real dollars, the company holds that amount in cash or safe assets like US Treasury bonds to keep its value stable.

Safe Trading: USDC is used by crypto traders to avoid the price swings of other coins.

Payments: It can be used for fast and cheap international payments.

DeFi (Decentralized Finance): People use USDC in DeFi apps to earn interest, lend money, or provide liquidity.

Savings: Some platforms offer interest on USDC savings, higher than traditional banks.

Because it's stable and transparent, USDC is trusted by many in the crypto world. It's also regularly audited to ensure that it is fully backed by real dollars.