How to Get USDC on Hedera

USDC is rapidly becoming indispensable in the digital economy. A fully backed stablecoin, USDC is widely recognized for its security, compliance, and 1:1 redeemability for US dollars. Among the networks supporting USDC, Hedera stands out for its speed, low fees, and energy efficiency, making it a good option for transacting with USDC. In this guide, we’ll discuss the benefits of using USDC on Hedera, how its Hashgraph technology enhances stability, and how to acquire USDC on the network.

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 Hedera?

Hedera is a decentralized public network designed to support fast, secure, and low-cost¹ digital transactions. Unlike most blockchain networks, which rely on traditional blockchain architecture to verify and record transactions, Hedera uses an innovative technology called Hashgraph. This system allows for better efficiency, enabling Hedera to process thousands of transactions per second.

How Hedera works

Most blockchains, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, organize transactions into blocks that are processed sequentially. In contrast, Hashgraph uses a method of transaction validation called gossip protocol, where network participants rapidly share information with one another. This allows the network to confirm transactions in parallel, making it much faster than many conventional blockchain systems.

Hedera also employs a secure consensus mechanism known as Asynchronous Byzantine Fault Tolerance (aBFT). This complex term simply means that Hedera should be able to operate smoothly even if some participants act maliciously or go offline. This level of fault tolerance aims to keep transactions secure, tamper-proof, and fairly ordered.

At the heart of the Hedera network is HBAR, its native cryptocurrency. HBAR is used to pay for transaction fees, secure the network, and reward participants who help maintain the system. Since the Hedera network requires minimal energy to operate, it is often seen as a more environmentally sustainable alternative to other blockchains that rely on energy-intensive mining.

Key features of Hedera

One of Hedera’s standout advantages is its speed. The network can process thousands of transactions per second, significantly outperforming traditional blockchains, which often struggle with congestion and high fees. In addition, transaction costs on Hedera are relatively low — often just a fraction of a cent — making it an affordable option for individuals and businesses alike.

Hedera is also unique in its governance model. Instead of being controlled by a single entity or a group of anonymous miners, Hedera is overseen by a governing council consisting of major global organizations, including tech companies, financial institutions, and academic institutions. This structure helps promote stability and security, with a slight tradeoff in terms of outright decentralization.

What is Hedera-native USDC?

Hedera-native USDC, or USDC-HTS, is a fully reserved stablecoin issued by regulated affiliates of Circle on the Hedera Hashgraph network using the Hedera Token Standard. Like all USDC, it is designed to maintain equivalent value with the US dollar, offering stability and reliability for those seeking to send, spend, save, or trade with a stable digital dollar.

As an asset issued directly on Hedera, native USDC benefits from the network’s high transaction speed, low fees, and energy efficiency. Hedera’s consensus mechanism promotes fast, fair, and secure transactions, allowing users to leverage USDC for payments, transfers, and various financial services.

USDC on Hedera enables the creation of innovative financial products and services within decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystems, and USDC’s compatibility with Hedera smart contracts further expands its use cases, allowing the execution of complex transactions without intermediaries.

Circle launched USDC on Hedera in 2021. As of March 2025, there’s over $30 million dollars worth of USDC in circulation on Hedera.

Why use USDC on Hedera?

USDC on Hedera offers key advantages that set it apart from other networks:

• Speed: Hedera’s Hashgraph consensus finalizes USDC transactions almost instantly.
• Predictable fees: Unlike fluctuating gas fees, Hedera’s fixed, low transaction costs make USDC transfers cost-effective and predictable.
• Enterprise-grade security: With strong governance and institutional adoption, Hedera provides a stable environment for USDC transactions.

For businesses and individuals looking for fast, affordable, and secure stablecoin transactions, Hedera-based USDC can be an excellent option.

Understanding crypto exchanges and crypto wallets

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

As of this writing, Hedera-native USDC is not available for purchase on any major centralized exchanges. Those looking to purchase USDC-HTS can utilize Hedera’s ecosystem of decentralized exchanges to swap other assets for USDC. Additionally, cross-chain bridges allow seamless movement of USDC between Hedera and other supported networks.

The next sections outline each of these approaches with clear, detailed instructions.

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

If you hold HBAR in a Hedera-compatible wallet, you can swap for USDC on decentralized platforms like Bonzo or SaucerSwap.

1. Connect to a DEX: Use a Hedera-compatible wallet such as to access a decentralized exchange. Always verify you’re on a legitimate site to avoid scams and be aware that both DEX-specific fees and Hedera network fees may apply.
2. Choose a trading pair: Select the HBAR/USDC trading pair or another available pair.
3. Swap and confirm: Input the amount of USDC you want, check all details, and confirm the swap. USDC will appear in your wallet upon completion. Ensure you have enough HBAR in your wallet to cover transaction fees.

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

Hedera users can obtain USDC through self-custody wallets like Blade Wallet or HashPack, which support integrated swaps. If you hold HBAR or another asset tradable for USDC, you can swap directly within your wallet.

1. Access the swap feature: Open your wallet’s swap tool and select HBAR or another supported asset.
2. Choose USDC on Hedera: Select USDC as the asset you wish to receive and enter trade details.
3. Confirm the transaction: Carefully review trade parameters and approve the swap.

If issues arise, adjust slippage settings or confirm you have sufficient HBAR to cover network fees. Use a Hedera network explorer like HashScan to check for congestion or pending transactions.

3. Use a Hedera 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., Hash Scan) 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 Hedera

If you plan to transfer USDC on Hedera, be aware of several critical factors that can affect your experience. Verify that your exchange and wallet support Hedera’s version of native USDC, as not all platforms may be fully compatible. 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 native USDC on Hedera offers direct integration and efficiency with the Hedera network and broader ecosystem, bridged USDC might involve extra validation steps and fees. Also, remember that you’ll need HBAR to pay for transaction fees, so keeping a balance of HBAR on hand is recommended. Initiating a low-value test transaction can serve as a safety check before processing larger amounts.

How to use USDC on Hedera

USDC on Hedera combines the reliability of a dollar-backed stablecoin with the efficiency of Hedera’s high-speed, low-cost, and environmentally friendly network. Whether you’re new to digital assets or an experienced crypto user, Hedera’s rapid transaction processing and minimal fees make it a good option for using USDC in DeFi applications, digital payments, and more.

Acquiring native USDC on Hedera is a fairly straightforward process, allowing users to tap into the growing ecosystem of wallets, exchanges, and dApps that support it. Thanks to Hedera’s advanced Hashgraph consensus technology, transactions settle almost instantly, providing a seamless experience for sending, receiving, and trading USDC.

Beyond Hedera, USDC is natively available on more than 15 blockchain networks, making it one of the most versatile and widely integrated stablecoins in the crypto space. If you're looking for more details on where and how to use USDC — including compatible dApps, wallets, and exchanges — explore our USDC Ecosystem Catalog for a complete guide.