USD Coin (USDC) is a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar, launched in 2018 by the Centre consortium, founded by Circle and Coinbase. Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, USDC is fully backed by reserves held in U.S. dollars or equivalent cash and short-term treasuries, providing price stability. It operates on multiple blockchains, including Ethereum, Solana, and Algorand, enabling fast, secure, and low-cost transactions across decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, exchanges, and payment platforms.
USDC has become one of the most trusted stablecoins in the crypto ecosystem due to its regulatory transparency, regular audits, and compliance with financial standards. It is widely used for trading, lending, payments, and as a stable store of value during periods of market volatility. Its integration across wallets, exchanges, and DeFi protocols makes USDC a cornerstone of digital finance, bridging traditional currency with blockchain-based systems.