USDC (USD Coin) is a stablecoin designed to maintain a stable value, pegged 1:1 with the US dollar. Issued by Circle, it's backed by reserves of cash and short-term US Treasury bonds held in regulated financial institutions. This backing aims to provide transparency and stability, making it a popular choice for traders seeking a safe haven during crypto market volatility. USDC facilitates fast and low-cost global transactions and is widely used in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) applications for lending, borrowing, and trading.