How to Get USDC on Celo

Stablecoins like USDC are changing the way people send and spend money online, making digital payments easy, fast, and accessible. USDC is the world’s largest regulated¹ stablecoin. It’s redeemable 1:1 for US dollars, meaning it holds a steady value and is fully backed by highly liquid cash and cash-equivalent assets. That makes USDC a reliable way to move money without the notorious ups and downs of some other crypto assets.

Celo is a mobile-first blockchain built for speed and low fees², especially for people using their phones. That makes it a good option for USDC users who want quick, affordable transactions. In this guide, we’ll walk you through why USDC on Celo is a great combo, the perks of using it, and easy ways to get USDC on Celo so you can start making smooth, blockchain-based transactions.

What is USDC?

As a quick reminder, USDC is a stablecoin — a type of cryptocurrency designed to maintain a stable value — that’s backed 100% by highly liquid cash and cash-equivalent assets. USDC leverages the power of the internet and blockchain technology to be transferable almost anywhere with near-instant settlement and near-zero fees. USDC is readily available to those with an internet connection and a digital wallet in more than 180 countries around the world.

Because USDC operates on blockchain networks, transactions are processed rapidly and efficiently without the need for traditional banking intermediaries. Blockchains function continuously, 24/7, eliminating delays associated with bank operating hours, holidays, or cross-border settlements. This constant availability allows for near-instant transfer of funds at any time, reducing both the time and cost typically involved in moving money globally.

What is Celo?

Celo is a blockchain that’s built with a unique goal in mind: making cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi) easy to use, especially for people who rely on their mobile devices for banking. While many blockchains can be complex and require special wallets or long crypto addresses, Celo simplifies things by letting users link their phone numbers to their crypto wallets, so sending and receiving digital money on Celo feels a lot like using a traditional mobile payment app.

One thing that makes Celo different is that it runs on a proof-of-stake (PoS) system as opposed to using energy-hungry mining like Bitcoin’s proof-of-work (PoW) system. Celo relies on a group of trusted participants, called validators, to keep the network secure and process transactions. These validators are chosen by people who hold CELO (the native cryptocurrency of the network), making it a more energy-efficient and scalable system.

Celo is designed to be mobile-friendly, so users can manage their funds, access decentralized apps (dApps), and make payments directly from their phones without needing expensive hardware or a deep understanding of blockchain technology.

With this in mind, Celo is focused on financial inclusion — helping people who don’t have easy access to traditional banking systems join the global economy. By making crypto more user-friendly and accessible on mobile devices, Celo is designed to open up new opportunities for communities around the world to participate in digital finance, send remittances, and use decentralized services in a simple and affordable way.

What is Celo-native USDC?

Celo USDC is issued directly on the Celo blockchain using the ERC-20 token standard, which is the most widely used standard for digital tokens on Ethereum-based (and Ethereum-compatible) networks. But what exactly is a token standard, and why does it matter here?

A token standard is a set of rules that defines how a digital token — like USDC — should work on a blockchain. These rules make sure that tokens can be easily sent, received, and used across different wallets, apps, and platforms without compatibility issues. You can think of it like USB ports on devices — whether it’s a phone charger or a keyboard, USB ports follow the same standard, so they work across different brands and devices. In the same way, ERC-20 means that USDC can work smoothly across Ethereum-compatible networks, including Celo.

Since Celo is EVM-compatible (meaning it can run Ethereum-based applications), using ERC-20 for USDC means that it integrates seamlessly with Ethereum-based wallets and apps, and that Ethereum developers can easily build on Celo without extra work.

By following the ERC-20 standard, Celo USDC becomes accessible across many different platforms, making it a viable option for things like payments, remittances, and DeFi applications. It combines the security and familiarity of Ethereum with the speed and affordability of Celo.

Circle launched USDC on Celo in 2024. As of March 2025, there’s over $25 million dollars worth of USDC in circulation on Celo.

Why use USDC on Celo?

Celo’s mobile-first blockchain provides distinct advantages for USDC users:

• Mobile accessibility: Designed for smartphones, Celo allows for seamless USDC transactions via user-friendly mobile wallets.
• Low-cost transactions: With relatively low fees, Celo makes sending and receiving USDC inexpensive, even for microtransactions.
• Financial inclusion: Celo’s ecosystem enables global payments, remittances, and DeFi access, particularly in underserved regions.

For users prioritizing mobile access, affordability, and real-world payments, USDC on Celo can be a good option.

Understanding crypto exchanges and crypto wallets

Before diving into the step-by-step process of acquiring USDC on Celo, it’s important to understand the platforms and tools you’ll use: crypto exchanges and wallets.

Crypto exchanges are platforms where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies. They act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers and often allow fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat transactions, making it possible for users to on- and off-ramp to and from digital assets like USDC. There are two main types of crypto exchanges:

• Centralized exchanges (CEXs): These platforms are managed by companies and often include user-friendly interfaces and robust customer support. However, assets purchased on a CEX are stored in exchange-based crypto wallets that are custodial, meaning users must trust the CEX to custody and secure their assets. Users don’t have full control over their assets unless they withdraw them to a non-custodial wallet.
• Decentralized exchanges (DEXs): These are decentralized, blockchain-based platforms where trades are conducted without a central authority. Instead users make peer-to-peer trades with the assistance of smart contracts. Connecting to a DEX requires connecting a compatible non-custodial crypto wallet. Non-custodial wallets offer greater control over your assets, but more responsibility for securing them. Likewise, DEXs offer greater control over the trading experience, but can be more complex to use.

Crypto wallets are tools for securely storing and managing your digital assets. Crypto wallets are divided into two main categories:

• Custodial wallets: Often provided by CEXs, these wallets are convenient but rely on the exchange to manage your assets’ associated private keys.
• Non-custodial wallets: These give users full control over their funds and private keys (or recovery phrases), but require careful management to avoid loss.

By understanding the differences between exchanges and wallets, you can make informed decisions about where to buy, store, and manage your USDC, and find the balance of convenience and security that’s right for you.

Step-by-step guide to get USDC on Celo

Celo makes it easy for users to access USDC, whether through the flagship Celo wallet, Valora, or other DeFi-powered solutions or supported blockchain bridges. As of March 2025, Celo is not available for purchase on any major CEX, though it is available for seamless purchase using the Valora wallet.

For those looking to purchase USDC using Valora directly within the mobile wallet, follow these instructions. It’s as simple as downloading the wallet app, connecting a payment method, and selecting USDC as the asset you’d like to buy.

For those comfortable interacting with platforms such as DEXs and self-custody wallets, obtaining USDC on Celo is only a few clicks away using the following methods:

1. Use a decentralized crypto exchange (DEX) to swap for USDC on Celo

If you own a Celo-based asset like CELO, you can acquire USDC through decentralized platforms such as Moola or Ubeswap.

1. Access a DEX: Use a Celo-compatible wallet, like MetaMask or Valora, to connect to your chosen exchange. Confirm that you're on the official website to prevent phishing attempts or other scams. Take note of any platform fees in addition to Celo's low-cost transaction fees.
2. Select a trading pair: Look for the CELO/USDC trading pair or any other USDC-supported pair.
3. Complete the swap: Specify the amount of USDC you wish to receive, verify all transaction details, and finalize the swap. Once processed, USDC will appear in your wallet. Ensure you hold enough CELO to cover network transaction costs.

2. Use the built-in swap function in a self-custody wallet like MetaMask

For Celo users, self-custody wallets with an integrated swap feature, like MetaMask or Valora, provide a simple way to obtain USDC on Celo. If you already have CELO or another asset that trades against USDC, you can exchange it directly through your wallet.

1. Open the swap tool: Navigate to the swap function in your wallet and select the asset you’re trading for USDC, such as CELO.
2. Select USDC on Celo: Choose USDC as the asset to receive and enter the amount you wish to trade for, as well as any other relevant trade details.
3. Finalize the transaction: Review all details carefully and confirm the swap.

If issues arise with your transaction, try adjusting slippage tolerance settings or check to ensure your balance covers gas fees in CELO. You can also check Celo network activity on Celo Explorer to diagnose delays or congestion.

3. Use a Celo USDC bridge

We’ve spoken a bit about cross-chain swaps, and how some wallets and DEXs support the function of transferring an asset between two different blockchains. But in the case of USDC, there are two distinct ways to transfer USDC to another blockchain network, and the key distinction revolves around native vs bridged USDC.

As a reminder, native USDC originates directly from Circle on a particular blockchain, and is fully supported by the originating blockchain. Bridged USDC, however, is created when USDC is locked in a smart contract on one blockchain (i.e., the origin blockchain) and a “synthetic” or “bridged” form of USDC is minted (or created) on another supported blockchain (i.e., the destination blockchain) by a third-party bridge dApp. Crucially, bridged USDC is not issued by Circle, and only native USDC, issued through regulated affiliates of Circle, is fully reserved and redeemable 1:1. Many blockchains support both native and bridged USDC — so you should always be aware of which version you’re interacting with. If you’re not sure which version of USDC you’re dealing with, compare the token’s contract address on a blockchain explorer (e.g., Etherscan or Celo Explorer) with the official list provided by Circle.

Most USDC obtained from centralized exchanges is native. USDC transferred between blockchains with a bridge may be native or bridged, depending on whether the bridge is powered by Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP). Developed by Circle as a permissionless tool for transferring USDC between supported blockchains, CCTP is a powerful tool that burns (or destroys) USDC on one chain, and mints native USDC on another supported destination chain without having to keep any USDC “locked” in a smart contract. Transferring USDC natively is a better alternative to using a traditional bridge, whose security protocols may not be as robust as Circle’s, the issuer of USDC.

CCTP is integrated into wallets like MetaMask, DEXs like OKX (not to be confused with the centralized exchange, OKX), and cross-chain bridges like Across, Allbridge, and Wormhole — just to name a few. Learn more about CCTP and see a complete list of dApp integrations here. Then use CCTP-powered platforms to seamlessly bridge native USDC between supported blockchains.

Important considerations about USDC on Celo

Before buying or transferring USDC on the Celo network, there are a few things to check to make sure everything goes smoothly. First, double-check that your wallet and exchange support Celo’s native USDC. Not all platforms automatically recognize every version of USDC, and some might only support bridged versions (which are copies of USDC from other blockchains). Using a bridged token can sometimes lead to extra fees and extra steps when making transactions, so sticking with native USDC on Celo is usually the easiest and most cost-effective option. This is a critically important step, and users should always be diligent to ensure compatibility before transacting. Failure to do so can result in the loss of funds.

Another important thing to remember is that Celo transactions require a small amount of CELO for gas fees. Gas fees are the small transaction costs needed to process payments on the blockchain, similar to a service fee when sending money through a bank. If you don’t have enough CELO in your wallet, your transaction won’t go through.

As always, it's a good idea to do a small test transaction first before sending a large amount of USDC. Doing this helps confirm that you’re using the right version of USDC, your wallet is set up properly, and you have enough CELO to cover fees — so you avoid any costly mishaps.

How to use USDC on Celo

USDC on Celo gives you the best of both worlds — the stability of a dollar-backed digital currency and the benefits of a fast, low-cost blockchain. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned crypto user, sending USDC is easy with Celo’s quick transactions and minimal fees.

By following our guide, you can quickly learn how to access USDC on Celo to use in Celo’s vibrant DeFi ecosystem or for everyday payments. Plus, since USDC is available on more than 15 blockchains, it plays a huge role in the wider crypto world.

For more information on USDC and the dApps, exchanges, wallets, and other businesses that support USDC, you can check out our USDC Ecosystem Catalog.