$USDC

**USDC (USD Coin) in Brief**

USDC is a regulated stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, launched in 2018 by Circle and Coinbase. Backed by cash and short-term U.S. Treasuries, it emphasizes transparency with monthly audits, distinguishing it from competitors like Tether. As the second-largest stablecoin (market cap ~$60B), USDC operates across 18+ blockchains (e.g., Ethereum, Solana), enabling low-cost transactions and DeFi integration.

Its institutional adoption surged in 2024 (+78% circulation growth), driven by remittances, payrolls, and partnerships like Visa’s pilot for merchant payments. However, USDC faces challenges: centralization risks (e.g., wallet freezes) and a 2023 depegging event after $3.3B reserves were stuck in Silicon Valley Bank.

Looking ahead, USDC aims to bridge traditional finance and crypto, particularly in emerging markets, leveraging regulatory compliance (MiCA) and blockchain scalability. While centralization concerns linger, its role in cross-border payments and DeFi solidifies its status as a trusted gateway to crypto’s potential.