How to get USDC on Stellar

The rise of digital currencies is transforming the way money moves across borders. At the heart of this shift are stablecoins like USDC — the world’s largest regulated¹ stablecoin that’s fully backed by reserves, offering not only stability, but transparency that’s unmatched in the digital asset space. But a reliable stablecoin is only as effective as the network it runs on. That’s where Stellar comes in. Designed for speed, efficiency, and cost-effective² transactions, Stellar provides an efficient ecosystem for USDC transfers. Whether you're sending money abroad, making payments, or exploring new financial opportunities, USDC on Stellar makes it seamless. This guide breaks down why Stellar is an effective platform for USDC and how you can get started.

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 Stellar?

Stellar is a proof-of-stake (PoS) blockchain network that makes use of a consensus mechanism known as the Stellar Consensus Protocol (SCP). A consensus mechanism is the process by which participants agree on the validity of transactions without relying on a single controlling authority. Stellar’s PoS consensus mechanism differs from energy-intensive proof-of-work consensus mechanisms (like that of Bitcoin). Stellar Consensus Protocol allows transactions to be confirmed by a decentralized network of trusted nodes (i.e., computers that help maintain the blockchain by validating transactions). In the Stellar network, these nodes work together to achieve agreement on which transactions are valid. Because consensus is reached through cooperation rather than competition, transactions can be processed in just a few seconds and the energy consumption needed is dramatically lower than that of PoW blockchains. This makes Stellar not only faster and more scalable but also a more environmentally friendly option for global financial applications.

The Stellar ecosystem supports a wide range of financial applications, including stablecoin transactions, remittance services, and tokenized asset issuance. Stellar is often used by businesses, non-profits, and fintech companies looking to provide real-time, cost-effective financial solutions. Many organizations use Stellar to issue digital assets and streamline payments, particularly in regions where access to traditional banking is limited or prohibitively expensive. Because it is open-source, Stellar allows developers to build and deploy financial products that bridge blockchain technology with traditional finance, improving accessibility for individuals and businesses worldwide.

What is Stellar-native USDC?

Stellar USDC, or USDC-SEP, is natively issued on the Stellar network using the Stellar Asset tokenization standard (specifically the SEP-24 variation). 

A tokenization standard is a set of rules and technical guidelines that define how digital assets (or "tokens") are created, transferred, and managed on a blockchain. You can think of it as a blueprint that makes sure tokens function consistently and can interact seamlessly with different applications, wallets, and platforms within a blockchain ecosystem. 

SEP-24 facilitates efficient issuance, transfers, and interoperability across Stellar’s fast, cost-effective blockchain network. By leveraging Stellar’s unique consensus mechanism, USDC transactions settle quickly with minimal fees, making it an ideal stablecoin for remittances, cross-border payments, and financial inclusion initiatives in underserved regions.

As of March 2025, there’s over $200 million of USDC in circulation on Stellar.

Why use USDC on Stellar?

Stellar’s network is designed for cross-border USDC transactions. Using USDC on Stellar offers benefits like:

• Fast settlement: USDC transfers on Stellar finalize quickly, making it efficient for remittances and payments.
• Minimal fees: Stellar’s cost-efficient structure keeps USDC transactions affordable.
• Global accessibility: Stellar’s financial network connects institutions and individuals, expanding USDC’s reach for payments and trade.

For users focused on speed and affordability in their USDC transactions, Stellar-based USDC is a good option.

Understanding crypto exchanges and crypto wallets

Before diving into the step-by-step process of acquiring USDC on Stellar, 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 the exchange is responsible for keeping your funds safe, managing your private keys (which are like the password to your crypto), and helping with transactions. 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 Stellar

Users can acquire USDC on Stellar directly from a centralized exchange that supports the Stellar blockchain and either hold it on-platform or send it to a Stellar wallet. Or users can purchase USDC on decentralized trading platforms, which allow users to trade other assets for USDC without an intermediary. Cross-chain bridging solutions also enable USDC to be moved to Stellar from other networks where supported.

In the next section, we’ll detail the methods for getting USDC on Stellar.

1. Use a centralized crypto exchange (CEX) to buy USDC on Stellar

Certain leading centralized exchanges, such as Coinbase, now support native USDC on the Stellar blockchain. Buying USDC on Stellar means that your funds are directly available on this network without any extra steps. How to get started:

1. Register with a CEX: Sign up for an account with an exchange that supports USDC on Stellar and meets your regional requirements. Complete the necessary identity verification to create and verify your account.
2. Fund your account: Deposit fiat currency using a bank transfer, credit/debit card, or another supported payment method. Be sure to check for any deposit fees.
3. Purchase USDC: Select USDC as your currency of purchase and choose Stellar as the blockchain network. Enter the amount, confirm your transaction, and your USDC will appear in your account once the transaction is processed.

Once you have purchased USDC on Stellar, you can either leave it in the exchange’s custodial wallet or move it to a non-custodial wallet to take full advantage of Stellar’s ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps).

2. Use a decentralized crypto exchange (DEX) to swap for USDC on Stellar

Users holding Stellar’s native cryptocurrency, XLM, or other Stellar-based assets can acquire USDC using decentralized trading platforms like Aquarius or Lumenswap. Here’s how:

1. Access a DEX: Use a Stellar-compatible wallet like Scopuly or Trust Wallet to connect securely to the DEX of your choice. Always confirm you’re on the correct site before connecting or making any transactions.
2. Select the trading pair: Choose the XLM/USDC pair (or another available trading pair of a Stellar-based asset that you hold and USDC).
3. Finalize the trade: Enter the amount of USDC you want to trade for, then confirm the transaction details and approve the transaction. Once completed, USDC will be available in your Stellar wallet. Be sure to keep some XLM in your wallet to cover network transaction fees.

3. Use the built-in swap function in a self-custody wallet like Trust Wallet

Stellar users can get USDC through wallets like Scopuly or Trust Wallet, which support the ability to trade between assets directly within the wallet interface. That means if you hold XLM or another Stellar-based asset, you can trade it for USDC without needing an external exchange. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open the trading feature: Open the trading interface in your chosen Stellar-compatible wallet and select the asset you wish to swap, such as XLM.
2. Choose USDC on Stellar: Specify your desired trade details (including selecting USDC as the asset to be received) and enter the amount you’d like to trade.
3. Confirm the swap: Review the transaction specifics and approve the trade. Once processed, you should see your updated USDC balance reflected in your wallet.

For troubleshooting, you can try adjusting slippage tolerance or other advanced settings. Always be sure you have sufficient XLM for transaction fees. If any issues arise, you can use Stellar’s blockchain explorer, StellarChain, to investigate the problem and check the status of the network.

4. Use a Stellar 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 StellarChain) 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.

Things to know about USDC on Stellar

When moving USDC on Stellar, understanding a few important points can help you have a smoother experience. First, confirm that the wallet and exchange you plan to use support Stellar’s native version of USDC. 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.

While Stellar’s ecosystem easily handles native tokens, bridged versions may require additional steps and subsequently, additional fees. Also keep in mind that transactions on the Stellar blockchain will require XLM to cover network fees, so check your wallet to make sure you have enough XLM funds to execute transactions beforehand. It’s recommended to perform a small test transaction as a precautionary measure before dealing with larger amounts.

How to use USDC on Stellar

USDC on Stellar takes the steadiness of a dollar-backed stablecoin and puts it into action on Stellar’s globally accessible, low-cost, and fast network. Stellar’s inherent design makes using USDC an easy and cost-effective option for newcomers and experienced users alike. By following the steps outlined above, you can quickly acquire USDC on Stellar and become a part of its vibrant ecosystem.

USDC is extensively integrated in the blockchain ecosystem, and is natively supported on over 15 blockchains in addition to Stellar. If you want to explore the networks, wallets, exchanges, and dApps that support USDC, check out Circle’s comprehensive USDC Ecosystem Catalog.