How to Get USDC on Polkadot

With blockchain technology evolving at a rapid pace, stablecoins like USDC are becoming essential for fast, affordable, secure, and global digital transactions. USDC, fully backed by reserves and redeemable 1:1 with the US dollar, is widely respected and used because of its transparency and regulatory¹ adherence. Among the many networks supporting native USDC, Polkadot stands out for its cross-chain compatibility and innovative parachain architecture.

This guide will highlight why Polkadot is a good network for USDC users and how to acquire USDC on Polkadot.

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 Polkadot?

In a fragmented blockchain landscape where individual networks often operate in isolation, Polkadot addresses a key challenge: enabling secure and scalable communication between different ecosystems.

At the core of Polkadot’s architecture is its “relay chain,” a central hub that connects and coordinates multiple independent blockchains known as “parachains.” Unlike most traditional blockchain networks, where all transactions occur on a single chain, Polkadot’s model enables parallel processing on parachains and settlement on the relay chain, increasing scalability and transaction throughput. Each parachain operates autonomously, with its own governance, consensus mechanism, and specialized functionality. This flexibility allows developers to create customized blockchain solutions tailored to specific industries and use cases, ranging from decentralized finance (DeFi) and gaming to supply chain management and enterprise applications — offering businesses and users decentralized applications (dApps) that often operate on their own respective and dedicated blockchain.

Polkadot also incorporates cross-chain messaging, allowing parachains to communicate and share data with one another. This functionality enables the seamless transfer of assets and information across different networks, fostering interoperability between various blockchain ecosystems. Additionally, Polkadot is designed with shared security, meaning that all parachains benefit from the security of the relay chain, eliminating the need for each individual blockchain to establish its own security framework.

By enabling different blockchains to work together efficiently, Polkadot is supporting a multi-chain future where dApps and services are not limited by isolated ecosystems but can operate across multiple interconnected networks.

What is Polkadot-native USDC?

Polkadot USDC is natively issued on the Polkadot Asset Hub — a system parachain dedicated to asset issuance and management within the Polkadot ecosystem. Once Polkadot-native USDC is issued, it can easily be transferred across the Polkadot ecosystem via the Cross-Consensus Messaging (XCM) protocol, Polkadot’s internal mechanism for transferring assets between parachains. Since USDC is natively issued by the Polkadot Asset Hub, and integrated with the XCM protocol, it can be seamlessly transferred between the various parachains that make up the Polkadot ecosystem. This approach allows USDC to seamlessly integrate into Polkadot’s growing dApp ecosystem.

Circle launched native USDC on Polkadot in 2023. As of March 2025, there’s over $70 million worth of USDC in circulation on Polkadot.

Why use USDC on Polkadot?

Polkadot’s multi-chain architecture enhances USDC usability across diverse blockchain environments. Some of the main benefits of using USDC on Polkadot include:

• Cross-chain compatibility: USDC on Polkadot can seamlessly move between parachains, reducing liquidity fragmentation within the Polkadot ecosystem.
• Scalability: Polkadot’s parallel transaction processing reduces network congestion, enabling more USDC transfers at lower costs².
• Expanding ecosystem: With DeFi, gaming, and enterprise applications growing on Polkadot, USDC has increasing utility across various purpose-built parachains.

For those seeking an interoperable and efficient version of USDC, Polkadot-based USDC is a good option.

Understanding crypto exchanges and crypto wallets

Before diving into the step-by-step process of acquiring USDC on Polkadot, 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 Polkadot

There are multiple ways to acquire Polkadot-native USDC, though currently most major centralized exchanges (CEXs) do not offer USDC directly on the Polkadot network. That means you’ll have to buy USDC on another network and bridge it to Polkadot — which is covered below — or use a Polkadot-based decentralized exchange (DEX) to trade your existing Polkadot assets for USDC.

As the Polkadot ecosystem evolves, more exchanges might integrate native Polkadot USDC options, but for now bridging and trading remain the go‐to solutions. The following guide provides clear instructions for each acquisition method.

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

Users holding DOT (or other Polkadot-based assets) in a non-custodial wallet can trade for USDC through DEXs like Bifrost or ByBarter. Here’s how:

1. Choose a DEX: Select a reputable DEX that supports Polkadot and connect using a reputable non-custodial Polkadot wallet like Nova Wallet or SubWallet. Always verify the DEX website’s authenticity to avoid fraud or scams.
2. Pick a trading pair: Look for the DOT/USDC trading pair, or any other relevant trading pair of a Polkadot-based asset that you hold and USDC.
3. Complete the trade: Enter the amount of USDC you want to buy, confirm the trade, and approve the transaction. Once finalized, USDC will be available in your wallet. Be sure to keep enough DOT in your wallet to cover network fees while trading.

2. Use the built-in swap function in a self-custody wallet like Nova Wallet or SubWallet

Polkadot-compatible self-custody wallets such as Nova Wallet or SubWallet offer built-in swap features that allow users to exchange DOT or other Polkadot-native assets for USDC directly in the wallet application. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Access your wallet’s swap tool: Navigate to the trading interface of your Polkadot wallet. Choose DOT or another supported asset for trading.
2. Set USDC on Polkadot as the receiving asset: Select USDC as the asset to receive. Enter your trade details, including the amount.
3. Review and approve: Double-check trade specifics and approve the transaction. Once the transaction is complete, you should see USDC available in your Polkadot wallet.

If you experience transaction errors, adjust slippage tolerance or verify you have enough DOT to cover transaction fees. Use a Polkadot explorer like Polkadot Subscan if you need to check any network diagnostics.

3. Use a Polkadot 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 Polkadot Subscan) 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 Polkadot

When transacting with USDC on Polkadot, a few key considerations can help promote a smooth experience. First, verify that your wallet and exchange support Polkadot’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.

Native tokens are typically better integrated into the network, while bridged USDC might necessitate extra steps and incur additional fees – something most users try to avoid. As a best practice, defer to native USDC whenever possible. Keep in mind that transaction fees will need to be paid in DOT, the native cryptocurrency used to cover gas fees in the Polkadot ecosystem, so make sure your wallet is sufficiently funded. Testing a small transfer initially can help you avoid any potential hiccups before committing larger amounts.

How to use USDC on Polkadot

USDC on Polkadot unites the reliability of the world’s largest regulated¹ dollar-backed stablecoin with the interoperable framework of the Polkadot ecosystem. Polkadot’s focus on scalability and low-cost transactions makes using USDC across the ecosystem straightforward and efficient. By following our guide, you can acquire USDC on Polkadot and start using it across the ecosystem right away. Much like with Polkadot, USDC is also natively available on more than 15 blockchains. For comprehensive details on networks, wallets, exchanges, and dApps that support USDC, refer to our USDC Ecosystem Catalog.