About USD Coin (USDC)

USD Coin Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the definition of USD Coin (USDC) and how does it function?


USD Coin (USDC) is a type of cryptocurrency known as a stablecoin, which is pegged to the value of the US dollar at a 1:1 ratio. It functions as digital money that can be used for online transactions. USDC is issued by regulated financial institutions, and every unit of USDC is backed by one dollar held in reserve, ensuring its stable value. Users can exchange US dollars for USDC and vice versa or use USDC to engage in digital transactions, benefiting from the speed, security, and 24/7 availability of cryptocurrency transactions.




Who are the primary founders behind the USDC stablecoin?


The primary founders behind the USDC stablecoin are Circle and the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, collaboratively creating USDC through the CENTRE consortium.




What are the unique features that distinguish USDC from other stablecoins?


USDC stands out for its strong regulatory compliance, being issued by regulated financial institutions. It maintains full reserves of the equivalent fiat currency, undergoes regular audits for transparency, and is built on Ethereum, which provides wide interoperability with various decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. Its governance by the Centre consortium ensures standards for fiat conversion and cross-ecosystem compatibility.




How does USDC maintain transparency and trust with its reserve holdings?


USDC maintains transparency and trust in its reserve holdings by regularly providing attestations from certified public accountants. These attestations are meant to confirm that every USDC issued is backed by an equivalent amount of reserve assets. Additionally, the companies behind USDC, Circle and Coinbase, work to ensure that these reserve assets are held in secure and regulated financial institutions.




Can you explain the regulatory compliance status of USDC?


USDC operates in compliance with U.S. money transmission laws and follows anti-money laundering (AML), know your customer (KYC), and other banking compliance standards. Centre Consortium, behind USDC, collaborates with registered and licensed financial institutions to maintain regulatory compliance. Always refer to the latest updates or guidance from the issuing authority since the regulatory landscape can change.




What use cases has the Centre consortium proposed for USDC?


The Centre consortium has proposed several use cases for USDC, including facilitating global real-time payments, enabling programmable payments and smart contracts, providing a bridge between different currencies and financial systems, and serving as a stable store of value for digital economies.




In what ways is USDC integrated into the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem?


USDC is integrated into the DeFi ecosystem as a stablecoin for transactions, lending, and borrowing. It's used to provide liquidity in decentralized exchanges (DEXs), to earn interest in lending platforms, and as collateral for loans. Because of its stable value, it's ideal for reducing volatility in trading pairs and for use in various smart contracts and financial applications within the DeFi space.




How has the market share of USDC compared to its stablecoin competitors over time?


Over time, USDC has experienced growth in market share among stablecoins. Initially, it trailed behind the dominant competitor Tether (USDT) but has gradually closed the gap. Although USDT remains the largest by market capitalization, USDC has become a favored alternative due to its reputation for regulatory compliance and transparency. Market dynamics continue to fluctuate due to changing regulatory environments, user preferences, and the broader crypto ecosystem's growth.




What is the process for creating new USDC tokens, and is there a cap on the number that can exist?


New USDC tokens are created through a process called 'tokenization,' where an equivalent amount of US dollars is deposited with a financial institution partner and an equivalent amount of USDC is issued. The process is regulated and audited to ensure that each USDC token is backed 1:1 by a US dollar. There is no hard cap on the number of USDC tokens that can exist; the supply is determined by the amount of USD that is deposited to back the issuance of new tokens.




How are USDC reserves audited, and which firm is responsible for this?


USDC reserves are audited by independent accounting firms, with Grant Thornton LLP being one of the key firms responsible for performing monthly attestations of the USDC reserves. These attestations provide a level of transparency and assurance that the number of USDC tokens in circulation is equivalent to the USD held in reserves.




What type of assets back the USDC stablecoin, and in what proportions are these assets held?


USDC stablecoin is backed by a mix of cash and short-duration U.S. government obligations. The specific proportions of these assets are subject to change and are regularly updated in attestations provided by Circle, one of the organizations behind USDC. To get the current proportions, users should refer to the latest attestation reports available on Circle's website.




How is the USDC network secured, and which blockchain supports it?


The USDC network is secured through the use of blockchain technology, relying on the security measures of each individual blockchain where it operates. As a stablecoin, USDC is supported by multiple blockchain platforms such as Ethereum, Algorand, Solana, and Stellar, each providing its own security protocols including consensus mechanisms like Proof of Stake (PoS) and Proof of Work (PoW) to help protect against fraudulent transactions and ensure network integrity.




What kind of interest has USDC garnered from large asset managers and financial institutions?


USDC has attracted significant interest from large asset managers and financial institutions for its stable value, transparency, and compliance with regulatory standards. These entities see USDC as an efficient way to settle transactions, manage liquidity, and enter the digital asset space with reduced volatility risk. It allows them to participate in the growing market for digital assets while leveraging a stablecoin with broad acceptance and utility.




What role does BNY Mellon play in the management of USDC reserves?


BNY Mellon acts as a custodian for a portion of the USDC reserves, ensuring secure storage and management of the assets backing the stablecoin.




What strategic partnerships and capital market applications are being explored for USDC?


Strategic partnerships for USDC typically include collaborations with major crypto exchanges, fintech firms, and software platforms to expand its usage and liquidity. These partnerships often focus on improving USDC's integration in payments, remittances, and trading ecosystems. For capital market applications, USDC is being explored for use in tokenized securities, DeFi protocols, and as settlement currency for trade executions, aiming to streamline processes and reduce counterparty risk. However, specific partnerships and applications continuously evolve and are subject to change.